Indiana Republican: Raise the Gas Tax

[HankB]

Yep, that's right, Indiana Senator Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) is advocating the gas tax be increased.

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/02/03/0203lugar_edit.html

A few salient points from his editorial:

A gasoline tax is transparent, easy to administer and targeted at the one sector that burns most of our oil.

We would cut our greenhouse gas emissions

A revenue-neutral oil security tax would take every penny collected at the pump and put it right back into the pockets of consumers.

. . . some special provisions may be necessary for individuals and groups disproportionately affected.

He plans to compensate motorists by giving money back in the form of a payroll tax reduction or a check . . . but of course, there's NO information about how he'd pay back families in areas with no public transportation (so they CAN'T ride the bus or train, they HAVE to drive) or if he'd be giving benefits to people who don't drive at all. (I'm betting he will.)

And with "special provisions" for groups "disporportionately affected" (his words, not mine) there's practially infinite opportunity for mischief.

So . . . why should we vote for RINOs who behave as if they're "Democrat Lite" when we can get the real thing?

 

[charby]

The Democrat governor of Iowa wants to raise the gas tax $.10 also, claims it will be used to pay for neccessary infrastructure.

[Ben]

A gasoline tax is transparent

The most evil of all taxes. If I had my way, everyone would pay their sales tax separately, not get payroll deductions, and have to write out checks to pay income tax on April 15 so they can "feel the pain". Transparent taxes are akin to the frog in the slowly heating water.

[makattak]

The most evil of all taxes. If I had my way, everyone would pay their sales tax separately, not get payroll deductions, and have to write out checks to pay income tax on April 15 so they can "feel the pain". Transparent taxes are akin to the frog in the slowly heating water.

I agree with all of that except I want people to write the checks on November 1.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

We've been trying to vote that bird out of office for decades.  So far no success...

 :|

[john828]

I write a check every month.  It sucks.  Most citizens don't feel the pain because it is automatically deducted from their checks.  Oh, they may wince a little when they look at the deductions, but they go on their merry way to the bank.  Once you feel the pain by becoming indebted to the government, you'll never view taxes the same.  Taxation without representation was one of the major causes of the first revolution, and it will be one of the major causes in the next albeit a revolution through the electoral process, I hope.  One day, I hope we elect every non-incumbent on the ballot!

[El Tejon]

Dick Lugar=Poster Boy for term limits

[Nick1911]

dick Lugar=Poster Boy for term limits

Ugh, I remember learning about him when I was in 6th grade.

I also remember voting for someone other then him at some point.

[Don't care]

.

[El Tejon]

I do not care that the man is inclined the way he is, but I DO care that he is inclined toward Socialism.

Term limits best argument?  Dick Lugar.

[Jamisjockey]

Being he's from Indiana, I'm sure that he expects to replace the consumption with Ethanol from corn.....
 

[41magsnub]

Being he's from Indiana, I'm sure that he expects to replace the consumption with Ethanol from corn.....
 

Shush you conspiracy theorist..  there is no possible way he considered that! 

[El Tejon]

Is it a conspiracy if Senator Term Limits is doing it in the open?

[GigaBuist]

Taxation without representation was one of the major causes of the first revolution

Not really.  It was more of a catchy slogan that resonated with people.  Propaganda if you will.

That we remember it 200+ years later shows how effective it was.

[Bruce H]

Who ever called Dick Lugar a republican was sorely mistaken. Himself calling himself a republican just shows how lying doesn't affect winning politically.

[seeker_two]

What's the difference b/t a Luger and Dick Lugar?

Nothing....both are tools used to force socialist policies on citizens....   

[Logos]

Gas tax is an unfair regressive tax.....what they need to do is jack up the taxes on people who make over $200,00 per year (and close their damned tax loopholes).

This is so simple a baby could figure it out.

[HankB]

Gas tax is an unfair regressive tax.....what they need to do is jack up the taxes on people who make over $200,00 per year (and close their damned tax loopholes).

This is so simple a baby could figure it out.

And when your can think about this in more depth than a baby would, you'd realize the REAL solution is to restrict spending . . .

[MicroBalrog]

Gas tax is an unfair regressive tax.....what they need to do is jack up the taxes on people who make over $200,00 per year (and close their damned tax loopholes).

Any tax that taxes one person at 30% of their income and another at 20% is an unfair tax.

[Logos]

Sure, if they make the same income.

But that doesn't happen.

[Logos]

And when your can think about this in more depth than a baby would, you'd realize the REAL solution is to restrict spending . . .

No need to get nasty.

I agree with restricting spending, believe me......I'm one of the strongest advocates of restricting spending.

[MicroBalrog]

Sure, if they make the same income.

But that doesn't happen.

So you're telling me that it's okay for a person to work for 50% of his time to pay the government, and the other -  for 20%, if one of them earns more money?

That's blatant wealthism right there.

[Logos]

No.

In truth, forcing someone who makes $10 an hour to pay the same percentage as someone who makes $100 an hour is blatant class warfare against the poor.

Everybody knows that.

Progressive taxation has been around forever.....it's an American tradition.

Creeping Fascism has pecked away at it for about the last 50 years.

[MicroBalrog]

Everybody knows that.

Class warfare is immoral. Whether directed against the rich or the poor.

Progressive taxation has been around forever.....it's an American tradition.

Let's ignore the fact they needed to amend the Constitution in 1913 to introduce it, shall we? The power to levy direct income taxes did not exist in the Constitution of the Founders.

Creeping Fascism has pecked away at it for about the last 50 years.

Have you looked at the history of the U.S. Tax Code lately?

[Logos]

Wars to protect the poor from oppression are just wars.....and most certainly moral.

Excise taxes were discarded because they were regressive.

The poor have been increasingly oppressed by sales taxes, property taxes and unfair income taxes for the last 50 years.....that's why things are so screwed up now.

I just hope it's not beyond fixing.

Obama has his work cut out for him.