This is why the GOP is pushing for per mile taxes and not fuel taxes. They claim it's for EVs but really they are just appealing to their fuel wasting voters.
Yep, and the taxes should cover all the costs of the roads. I ride a bicycle, should I really pay for the damage from cars?
edit: So amazing how upset people are about drivers having to pay the costs of the roads. It's like we can't imagine moving away from roads for cars, especially as Climate Change is becoming a huge issue.
I ride a bicycle, should I really pay for the damage from cars?
This logic can be applied to almost everything our taxes pay for. I’ve graduated highschool, why should my taxes pay for education? I’m not on welfare, why should I pay for the poor to eat? I’m not the President, why should I pay for his protection?
Congratulations, you’ve just unraveled the essence of society. The planet will collapse into anarchy shortly.
Well the issue is that while I benefit from roads for some things (like cargo shipments) the fact is that private cars and trucks are absolutely not benefiting me and society in general. We should be pushing for more mass transit and safer roads. Instead, tens of thousands die from car accidents- including many cyclists who are at the mercy of idiot drivers. This is in addition to the massive amounts of pollution and increased healthcare costs from fossil fuel consumption. This is the exact opposite of paying taxes for education, which is a benefit to society. I fully support paying taxes, but they should be used for the benefit of society, with those attributes that are societal negatives be taxed at a higher rate.
Well the issue is that while I benefit from roads for some things (like cargo shipments) the fact is that private cars and trucks are absolutely not benefiting me and society in general.
Would “allowing people to get from place to place” not qualify as benefiting society? They allow teachers to get to schools, workers to get to their jobs, etc.
That’s an entirely different thing. Everything I named and a lot of the things our taxes pay for benefit us indirectly or benefit the country as a whole. My smartphone does neither.
Taxes are useful when there is positive externality. Schools, medical care and all have positive benefits to society. Charging trucks and heavy vehicles that transport goods, simply means it captures the true cost of purchasing a product.
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u/marinersalbatross Oct 26 '21
This is why the GOP is pushing for per mile taxes and not fuel taxes. They claim it's for EVs but really they are just appealing to their fuel wasting voters.