Obie's oil tax

[IndyDave1776]

Embrace the power of "and".

 

[Jludo]

Embrace the power of "and".

A grammatical suggestion or something more?

 

[IndyDave1776]

A grammatical suggestion or something more?

I believe that the suggestion is that one is not confined to choosing on or the other between the two sets of grievances you listed.

 

[pudly]

A grammatical suggestion or something more?

You separate what you believe others claim are Obama problems and what you identify as such. You seem to exclude the fact that a large number (I'd bet the vast majority on this site) identify both sets are problems. This is not an either/or proposition.

Edit: Ditto IndyDave1776.

 

[Jludo]

I believe that the suggestion is that one is not confined to choosing on or the other between the two sets of grievances you listed.

I'd agree you can include them all but it seems we only concentrate, in hyperbolic terms, on things that haven't/ aren't going to happen while never mentioning the huge things that actually affect us.

 

[Libertarian01]

I do have a concern with our ever depreciating infrastructure.

As I understand it a very high percentage of our bridges need repair and maintenance that is overdue, or quickly coming. Our roads also are many decades olde, with the interstate highway program being done in the 50's under Pres Eisenhower. Those may well have issues that need addressed.

Our gas tax to pay for this has not gone up in decades, yet cost of living and wages have.

We as a nation CANNOT compete on either labor costs or manufacturing costs. We have LOST that battle some years ago - IF there ever was a battle.

We should compete where we have advantages such as a higher educated work force that is able to adapt to changing environments. We should compete on a solid infrastructure that allows for efficient transportation and the movement of goods and commodities. We should compete on a solid power grid where once the lights are turned on THEY STAY ON until the factory owner wants them off. None of these dependable support systems are available in many parts of the world, western Europe excluded.

I don't know what the answer is to paying for improved roadways. I am quite certain that, yes, improved efficiency's and reduced waste would certainly help. I am also fairly certain that this alone will not address the problem. As with many issues I find fault with both extremes claiming that "their way alone" will solve all the woes. It just never seems to be true.

As far as a tax on oil to pay for roads, I would oppose this as oil gets used in many different ways. I would be more willing to support an increased tax on gasoline for vehicles, as at least that way there is some justification for those using the infrastructure are paying for it. This is just a kneejerk thought I have right now.

I am not as educated on this topic so I must admit that my mind could be changed with additional information. However, the concept of just maintaining the status quo does not appeal to me. Our issues do need to be addressed in a timely manner so as to keep costs to a minimum. Treating a disease at stage one is usually a helluva lot cheaper than trying to treat it at later stages.

Regards,

Doug

 

[steveh_131]

Our gas tax to pay for this has not gone up in decades, yet cost of living and wages have.

Who says that only our gas tax can pay for road repairs?

The state takes in more money as wages and cost of living rises. They don't need more taxes. Period.

 

[Jludo]

Doug spot on as always

 

[Jludo]

Who says that only our gas tax can pay for road repairs?

The state takes in more money as wages and cost of living rises. They don't need more taxes. Period.

Wages aren't rising though

 

[IndyDave1776]

If you knew the amount of waste, corruption, and malfeasance in highway and bridge construction and maintenance alone, you would be screaming for five-stranded hemp ropes around necks. Simply reversing one rule would make at least 10% more money available overnight and at the same time give us a better product.

 

[Libertarian01]

If you knew the amount of waste, corruption, and malfeasance in highway and bridge construction and maintenance alone, you would be screaming for five-stranded hemp ropes around necks. Simply reversing one rule would make at least 10% more money available overnight and at the same time give us a better product.

I am ignorant, what rule?

Doug

 

[steveh_131]

Wages aren't rising though

He said 'in decades'. Are you saying that wages haven't risen in decades?

 

[Jludo]

He said 'in decades'. Are you saying that wages haven't risen in decades?

I'm saying wages haven't outstripped inflation in decades and the state isn't immune to inflation.

 

[steveh_131]

I'm saying wages haven't outstripped inflation in decades and the state isn't immune to inflation.

Then pay those wages to the folks working on the roads. Kinda evens out, doesn't it?

Here's another idea: Spend the gas tax money on infrastructure. Stop wasting hundreds of millions of it on BMV and State Police to nanny us.

And yet another idea: They already gas tax the **** out of us with regular sales tax. Hundreds of millions of dollars. Spend that on the roads.

We are taxed enough already.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

I'm saying wages haven't outstripped inflation in decades and the state isn't immune to inflation.

Then why would they think they're entitled to a raise when the people that fund them haven't been getting them?

 

[ArmedProgrammer]

I'm saying wages haven't outstripped inflation in decades and the state isn't immune to inflation.

my wages haven't outstripped inflation either - so the government can kindly defecate in its collective hat.

 

[steveh_131]

We've all probably had to adjust our lifestyles to match the shrinking buying power of our wages.

Time for the government to do the same.

Roads are essential. The rest of the crap they waste our money on is not.

 

[Jludo]

Then pay those wages to the folks working on the roads. Kinda evens out, doesn't it?

Here's another idea: Spend the gas tax money on infrastructure. Stop wasting hundreds of millions of it on BMV and State Police to nanny us.

And yet another idea: They already gas tax the **** out of us with regular sales tax. Hundreds of millions of dollars. Spend that on the roads.

We are taxed enough already.

You claimed state revenues were going up with increasing wages, I'm simply pointing out the state also has to pay those rising wages so it's not a windfall.

 

[Jludo]

my wages haven't outstripped inflation either - so the government can kindly defecate in its collective hat.

Blame the Fed

 

[IndyDave1776]

I am ignorant, what rule?

Doug

The state, about 20 years ago, got the incredibly bright idea that they would claw back money on contracts through financial penalties for work that didn't meet standards rather than the existing rule of requiring the work to be redone until done right. As a result, the contractors simply started padding their bids by 10-20% to cover the penalties, did crappy work, and laughed all the way to the bank with the money they wanted in the first place, so we pay more in order to get less in terms of user-friendliness and longevity.