2.20.2009

Welcome to 1984


The below quote is from an AP article, regarding a proposed "vehicular miles tax." (VMT)

"A blue-ribbon national transportation commission is expected to release a report next week recommending a VMT. The system would require all cars and trucks be equipped with global satellite positioning technology, a transponder, a clock and other equipment to record how many miles a vehicle was driven, whether it was driven on highways or secondary roads, and even whether it was driven during peak traffic periods or off-peak hours. The device would tally how much tax motorists owed depending upon their road use. Motorists would pay the amount owed when it was downloaded, probably at gas stations at first, but an alternative eventually would be needed. Rob Atkinson, chairman of the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission, the blue-ribbon group that is developing future transportation funding options, said moving to a national VMT would take about a decade."

President Obama says it's a "no go" for now. But how long will it be? Is anyone else horrified?