General Discussion

Xyzse

(8,217 posts)

193. Agreed on this point

Thu May 1, 2014, 01:09 PM

May 2014

I live in the DC, MD, VA area.

To use the Metro system, for someone like me the break down per day is as follows:

Use a car to get to the Metro Station
$5 - All Day Parking
$5.75 - One way going towards work
$5.75 - One way going back from work

That is $16.50 every day. Multiply it by 5 is $82.50 then by 4 for the month $330.00.
That is the metro rail system for someone like me in MD.

I'd use this more if this was more affordable, but $330 a month is insane.
I don't pay anywhere nearly that much with my car, insurance and gas. Especially since I've paid off my car.

I am pretty stable, but some people would be killing themselves to pull that off. Especially if they start adding tolls.

This is a dumb idea, that would pretty much guarantee Democrats being voted out of office.

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This is surprising me: DU is against a tax on driving cars to pay for infrastructure? [View all] Recursion May 2014 OP

Raise the top marginal rate to 50% on incomes over 1 million bluestateguy May 2014 #1

+1 Beearewhyain May 2014 #10

+ another Zorra May 2014 #13

Please do. Recursion May 2014 #15

tax the ever living fuck out of lux cars, autos in addition to one per person Bluenorthwest May 2014 #128

Both taxes would be regressive bluestateguy May 2014 #200

Restore progresivity on high incomes period. JHB May 2014 #16

But that would be contrary to the laws of trickle down. Enthusiast May 2014 #64

Actually money does not follow the laws of gravity rock May 2014 #116

+1 and include capital gains, carried interest, IronLionZion May 2014 #90

Raising tax on capital gains is the more important and better one in my opinion. stevenleser May 2014 #142

#1. the two taxes aren't mutually exclusive. #2. Won't happen w/o clear Dem majority KittyWampus May 2014 #102

No shit!! Dawgs May 2014 #107

Where is this coming from? GOPee May 2014 #233

+++yep+++. Not one more poor or middle class person should have one Nay May 2014 #112

+1000 nt Mojorabbit May 2014 #227

Espoused liberals and conservatives both have the problem of... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #2

I see DU is being given its marching orders. djean111 May 2014 #3

You mean "yet another" tax, don't you? bluedigger May 2014 #4

Yes this. wickerwoman May 2014 #11

You do realize... gcomeau May 2014 #152

Yes, wickerwoman May 2014 #205

Definitely. And we have to realize we have cut that tax in half -- which is why the infrstructure BlueStreak May 2014 #253

I don't have a problem with opening door to tolls. But if Obama suggests it, Hoyt May 2014 #5

I saw one suggestion was to "raise the taxes on the 1%".. like the Dems wouldn't do Cha May 2014 #6

Damn right. We need big majorities in both houses. riqster May 2014 #106

Kick! Cha May 2014 #237

Tell me, what do you think will get that majority? Pushing to tax the 1%, or pushing Marr May 2014 #204

It's a double tax on everything but electric cars Warpy May 2014 #7

+1 This tax is a great way to guarantee we lose elections. Very regressive to boot. Scuba May 2014 #62

Hear, hear! Laelth May 2014 #71

Couldn't the same be said for some social issues? Renew Deal May 2014 #92

Yep. Spot on. Laelth May 2014 #93

I once heard someone say that you can't get anything done if you don't get elected Renew Deal May 2014 #117

I don't deny that. n/t Laelth May 2014 #121

This is NOT the right thing Warpy May 2014 #222

Yeah, it makes me wonder why they're pushing it in a midterm election year BuelahWitch May 2014 #223

+1 octoberlib May 2014 #140

Wrong... defacto7 May 2014 #8

Congress will never give up the funding Recursion May 2014 #35

It's a regressive tax Beearewhyain May 2014 #9

Yes, consumption taxes/VATs are regressive. That's the entire point Recursion May 2014 #44

thats not what regressive means Fred Drum May 2014 #47

Energy use is bottom-heavy so a tax on it is regressive Recursion May 2014 #49

And that's.... good? lumberjack_jeff May 2014 #131

Well, if it's a *carbon* tax, yes Recursion May 2014 #132

Yes, it's regressive. I don't understand why some truth2power May 2014 #50

ignorance about tax policy serves neo-liberals agenda bobduca May 2014 #175

I would like to see those explanations as well Beearewhyain May 2014 #209

Yes, and yet if we dont stop using carbon based products we all gonna die randys1 May 2014 #226

comparison Fred Drum May 2014 #12

Welcome to DU! Recursion May 2014 #48

Thanks for the welcome Fred Drum May 2014 #55

So, my friend who works for NYC had a saying Recursion May 2014 #56

by your logic Fred Drum May 2014 #60

It is a "Democratic" site. There are a great many Lieberman, Baucus Conservative Democrats here Dragonfli May 2014 #109

It is very mixed etherealtruth May 2014 #192

Oregon has no sales tax, because it is regressive and we have more Bluenorthwest May 2014 #130

oregon is much smaller than new york JI7 May 2014 #255

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. Scuba May 2014 #63

Because that money will be squandered on other shit Politicalboi May 2014 #14

What tax is *not* subject to the critique? Recursion May 2014 #18

The problem is that it's too close to privitizing roads. joshcryer May 2014 #17

At the risk of being called crazy, public funding for private provisioning is how we do Medicare Recursion May 2014 #19

Contractors already repair the roads. joshcryer May 2014 #23

States won't want to add workers. Lars39 May 2014 #100

Right, that's why every single state who takes tolls contracts it out Recursion May 2014 #101

Consequences of privatization...no pensions, lower pay. Lars39 May 2014 #105

It's not a carbon tax if you drive a non carbon vehicle. Jesus Malverde May 2014 #20

OK, imagine an exemption for electric cars. Do you support it now? Recursion May 2014 #21

And Medicare is broken and inefficient pipoman May 2014 #69

OK, I didn't think I would see ICD10 dragged up on DU, but, OK Recursion May 2014 #70

As i said, it is what we have, pipoman May 2014 #72

There already is a tax with an exemption for electric cars, the gas tax. Use it. JVS May 2014 #242

Why Don't We Just Let Chris Christe Be In Charge Of This....(sarcasm) global1 May 2014 #22

last time I looked IVe been paying gas tax for infrastructure for quite a few years/miles nt msongs May 2014 #24

Obvious issues... Demo_Chris May 2014 #25

Understood. So since Dean's 2004 platform included a carbon tax, I assume you're glad he lost? Recursion May 2014 #26

I thought we were discussing toll roads, an economically and emvironmentally inefficient... Demo_Chris May 2014 #29

Yes; that's the simplest carbon tax there is Recursion May 2014 #30

Simplest would be to tax fuel or emissions. This is not a carbon tax, it's a highway tax. nt Demo_Chris May 2014 #33

Name one practical difference Recursion May 2014 #34

At a toll booth a supercharged jacked up F350 pays the same rate as a Prius... Demo_Chris May 2014 #38

OK, so do an exemption for electrics and hybrids like DC does. Recursion May 2014 #40

Nope, it stll ignores vehicle efficiency and it is still regressive... Demo_Chris May 2014 #43

Help me out. You're complaining that this is regressive, and supporting a gas tax? Recursion May 2014 #45

They are equally regressive, and I support neither. nt Demo_Chris May 2014 #75

A small car uses less than a large car muriel_volestrangler May 2014 #80

No kidding. My GPS has me avoiding toll roads- I use *more* gas because of tolls. X_Digger May 2014 #114

You don't have to brake and reaccelerate at *some* tolls anymore just FYI. Agschmid May 2014 #259

That's really unfair. Shame on you. Scuba May 2014 #65

Clearly not, otherwise we would have disintegrated 13 years ago Recursion May 2014 #66

It's regressive as hell and will cost our side elections. Lousy idea. Scuba May 2014 #68

. dionysus May 2014 #247

Why not a tax on INCOME to pay for infrastructure? MADem May 2014 #27

You're saying a flat income tax would be *less* regressive than a consumption tax? Recursion May 2014 #28

I am talking quite specifically about a progressive tax. MADem May 2014 #31

No, you described verbatim a flat tax: 25% on all income Recursion May 2014 #32

No, that's not what I said at all. Not even close. MADem May 2014 #51

Sorry, I didn't see the decimal point Recursion May 2014 #53

Well, in my scenario there can be adjustments made to the tax on income, but the MADem May 2014 #57

A lot of rich don't have an income yeoman6987 May 2014 #76

They need to consider that money as income, IMO. MADem May 2014 #185

I'm with ya yeoman6987 May 2014 #211

I'm even willing to exempt a generous amount, so people can have a secure retirement. MADem May 2014 #225

I have a military retirement too yeoman6987 May 2014 #238

Yes, a flat income tax would be *less* regressive than a consumption tax muriel_volestrangler May 2014 #84

So, Herman Cain was right? Recursion May 2014 #85

It's possible he was right about something muriel_volestrangler May 2014 #86

Federal gas tax has been 18 CENTS for 20 YEARS! Outrageous! ErikJ May 2014 #36

I live in the Northeast, and toll states have horrible roads. NutmegYankee May 2014 #37

Mass has terrible roads? Recursion May 2014 #39

Have you driven any lately, or you a Golden Quadrilateral guy? NutmegYankee May 2014 #46

The roads get beat to death but there has been a lot of road work happening in the Obama era. MADem May 2014 #52

The worst stretches of interestate I have ever driven are in places that have Bluenorthwest May 2014 #134

Where? I'd drive in MA and NY over MS and AL any day Recursion May 2014 #136

Oklahoma was what I had in mind, tolls and when I went through miles of highway marked 'work zone' Bluenorthwest May 2014 #229

don't know where you were driving in NY but the I-90 through NY\MA has loads of rest stops. dionysus May 2014 #248

128/95 is terrible... Agschmid May 2014 #260

It is a regressive tax etherealtruth May 2014 #41

So is any carbon tax or VAT Recursion May 2014 #42

You really believe that the city of Detroit will feel pressured to provide reliable public transport etherealtruth May 2014 #54

Bend over, everybody, cuz you're about to get royally f/cked. And there's no money for lube, either. blkmusclmachine May 2014 #58

If the middle class and poor pay more taxes Turbineguy May 2014 #59

fuck gore fuck dean fuck warren bowens43 May 2014 #61

the OP's claims about those people are unsubstantiated Enrique May 2014 #67

Thank you. That is a typical rw tactic here. nt RandiFan1290 May 2014 #77

Yep. OP falsely asserted an equivalence between a carbon tax and a toll. JVS May 2014 #89

Implied Al Gore supports toll roads. Howard Dean supports toll roads Ichingcarpenter May 2014 #96

Not to mention alll the carbon coming out of the tailpipes BuelahWitch May 2014 #183

"The 1% need to be taxed until there is no 1%" jberryhill May 2014 #256

I don't like it dreamnightwind May 2014 #73

Why bother PAYING for toll infrastructure when a gas tax does the same thing? Pholus May 2014 #74

Think about who is hurt the most in a pay to use tax liberal N proud May 2014 #78

Ah. And a carbon tax is different... how? Please, tell me. Recursion May 2014 #79

Let me counter that: Why do you support a double tax on people who can least afford it? liberal N proud May 2014 #81

Taxes on companies are paid by their customers, if you don't have price controls Recursion May 2014 #82

No it's not! liberal N proud May 2014 #87

And if you don't, your lifestyle is not sustainable Recursion May 2014 #95

America is not laid out to support your fantasy liberal N proud May 2014 #143

The fantasy is that people can continue commuting from one suburb to another without paying Recursion May 2014 #145

What about the 99% of America that isn't urban or suburban areas? liberal N proud May 2014 #150

They need to get over the 1950s fully-detached dwelling dream. It won't work. Recursion May 2014 #151

I am guessing you live in a city and never lived elsewhere? liberal N proud May 2014 #178

I grew up in a town of 5000 Recursion May 2014 #179

Your choice - most of those living in areas without mass transit liberal N proud May 2014 #181

Speaking of detachment 4Q2u2 May 2014 #199

You are ridiculous n/t kcr May 2014 #194

Okay, this explains your position, for those who are scratching their heads. X_Digger May 2014 #115

Why should we support a carbon tax? Every carbon tax scheme I've seen is just a way for the... JVS May 2014 #83

I don't think it's a fair tax since everyone - whether they drive a car on the road or not - Vinca May 2014 #88

What do you think the gas taxes are about? WhiteTara May 2014 #91

I have no problem with paying the tax, I do have a problem with toll booths Bjorn Against May 2014 #94

And then there is this theory newblewtoo May 2014 #97

Yep. Major Moves. Brigid May 2014 #161

Road tolls are an EXTREMELY REGRESSIVE carbon tax Schema Thing May 2014 #98

What's a non-regressive carbon tax, Schema? Recursion May 2014 #99

The problem is that such a tax is regressive. Adrahil May 2014 #103

I will not be tracked like some kind of lab hamster. Period. nationalize the fed May 2014 #104

It's a regressive tax. Hugin May 2014 #108

Carbon taxes and VAT are terrible ideas LittleBlue May 2014 #110

Yeah, what the hell does Gore know about the environment. (nt) Nye Bevan May 2014 #124

Doesn't change the fact that this is a regressive tax LittleBlue May 2014 #127

Al Gore has supported toll roads and VAT? Prove it. The OP uses a dishonest Bluenorthwest May 2014 #138

It's amazing how they just make stuff up. nt bananas May 2014 #240

Illinois has had some toll roads forever. greatauntoftriplets May 2014 #111

I was in Illinois on the roads a few years ago, my Democratic Aunt gave me Bluenorthwest May 2014 #139

I drove to and from Rockford (from Detroit) etherealtruth May 2014 #177

I just think it's politically tone deaf at this point in time. octoberlib May 2014 #113

Tolls don't really impede traffic flow FarCenter May 2014 #118

People are not thinking it through Kelvin Mace May 2014 #119

Imagine that. nt raccoon May 2014 #125

Sorry but I don't think it is a good idea to toll those roads. hrmjustin May 2014 #120

I paid taxes all my life to build the highways randr May 2014 #122

Smart tolls, paid electronically, variable according to time and day, is the way to go. Nye Bevan May 2014 #123

Because gentrification, many of the poorest have to commute the farthest to go to work... JCMach1 May 2014 #148

Agreed on this point Xyzse May 2014 #193

Precisely... JCMach1 May 2014 #210

I think that this was suggested simply to give states the right to fix their highways. We all know jwirr May 2014 #126

It is a regressive tax, Ms. Toad May 2014 #129

Regressive taxes suck ass. It is surprising to me that anyone here would support them. lumberjack_jeff May 2014 #133

I thought that was what taxes on gasoline was supposed to be for. Throd May 2014 #135

Except they don't even meet current operational needs, let alone capital improvement Recursion May 2014 #137

Can you support your assertion that Gore, Dean and Warren favor toll roads? Bluenorthwest May 2014 #141

I will assume that assertion was a raft of bullshit floated on a river of agenda. Bluenorthwest May 2014 #144

Sure, that's it Recursion May 2014 #147

How about their positions on toll roads? Fumesucker May 2014 #180

why don't you find their position on the designated hitter? frylock May 2014 #221

No, their position on toll roads, which you claim they support, which are a form of highway tax Bluenorthwest May 2014 #231

How about a REAL excess profits tax on Oil Companies? JCMach1 May 2014 #146

Agree, and there are always free alternatives to get from point a cbayer May 2014 #149

Same error as in the other thread. FBaggins May 2014 #153

Some of the concerns are based around the tolls themselves, ZombieHorde May 2014 #154

That would be good too. Why not all three? Recursion May 2014 #155

To be perfectly honest, I don't know a lot about tolls. ZombieHorde May 2014 #164

The first two are real good ideas... if..... whistler162 May 2014 #207

The FDL-ers are saying it is taking our FREEDOM AWAY! scheming daemons May 2014 #156

Aren't my taxes supposed to be paying for road repairs? Vashta Nerada May 2014 #157

And 50 years ago those gas taxes met our needs Recursion May 2014 #158

Still doesn't answer my question. Vashta Nerada May 2014 #159

It is being used for road repair but it's not enough Recursion May 2014 #160

The gas tax hasn't been raised since 1992 taught_me_patience May 2014 #172

Good. Vashta Nerada May 2014 #174

ummm... the federal gax tax is already 18 cents. taught_me_patience May 2014 #176

The rich say no capital gains because they already paid... Atman May 2014 #162

No. Our parents paid to build them. Recursion May 2014 #165

Why should I accept 14% tax rates on capital gains.... Atman May 2014 #169

Who says you should? I don't. Recursion May 2014 #173

It is a regressive tax though. Shoulders of Giants May 2014 #163

It's a regressive tax to help subsidize continued low taxes on the rich. eShirl May 2014 #166

I already pay a tax on my car in CT bigwillq May 2014 #167

Just barely keeping the bridges from collapsing Recursion May 2014 #170

Find out where the tolls are going first... Historic NY May 2014 #168

Spin spin spin. NCTraveler May 2014 #171

How would you maintain roads with all electric cars? MicaelS May 2014 #182

Charge a tax on electricity usage. Duh. The Second Stone May 2014 #188

Add the tax to the electric bill! MADem May 2014 #189

There is a correlation currently between tire usage, gas consumption, and road wear. JVS May 2014 #243

That is what a gas tax is The Second Stone May 2014 #184

That's even more regressive than this Recursion May 2014 #190

How is that worse? The Second Stone May 2014 #232

It's OK by me. As long as it's a progressive tax. More for the rich, less for the poor. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2014 #186

This is a terrible idea. dawg May 2014 #187

Drivers are generally following the jobs. Orsino May 2014 #191

+1 n/t lumberjack_jeff May 2014 #212

We already pay those taxes for roads and infrastructure.. 2banon May 2014 #195

Well, in my state MissMillie May 2014 #196

I'm taking about road tolls Recursion May 2014 #197

The idea sounds good but I see a lot of problems gollygee May 2014 #198

It's a regressive tax. Try taxing the rich instead. aquart May 2014 #201

I'm not sure if it's less regressive to pay more in fuel taxes or to pay a toll. herding cats May 2014 #202

two reasons for more tolls: fee income and more surveillance ReasonableToo May 2014 #203

Please... many here in this thread think only billionaires should pay more taxes taught_me_patience May 2014 #206

... either that or they oppose the most regressive of taxes etherealtruth May 2014 #239

I don't; I am against a government tax checkpoint on the highway. krispos42 May 2014 #208

I would be ok with it if taxes on the rich were high enough. Notafraidtoo May 2014 #213

What a ridiculous OP. Self-parody of the "third way". nt Romulox May 2014 #214

Third-way Manny doesn't even need to post anymore. JVS May 2014 #220

Tolls are not a carbon tax, period. Sissyk May 2014 #215

Recursion, you're a sweet guy. But no. Starry Messenger May 2014 #216

In Germany we're having these taxes. OldEurope May 2014 #217

If it were guaranteed that private contractors would not set rates, I'd have little problems with it LanternWaste May 2014 #218

I don't really have a problem with it. . . . BigDemVoter May 2014 #219

There are better ways to do it Motown_Johnny May 2014 #224

All of your conflations ... Trajan May 2014 #228

DU is often collectively-dumb. Chan790 May 2014 #230

In MO there's talk of a mileage tax bcool May 2014 #234

Only because you keep willfully mischaracterizing their arguments. JoeyT May 2014 #235

Do you support raising the gas tax, then? taught_me_patience May 2014 #249

Poor people aren't driving the gas guzzlers. JoeyT May 2014 #250

I can't drive, so Jamaal510 May 2014 #236

Can't find anything in here about a Carbon tax AnalystInParadise May 2014 #241

yes Puzzledtraveller May 2014 #244

Then what? Tax the hell out of meat to pay for health care? flvegan May 2014 #245

not only that, i also read toll booths will be "gummint checkpoints"... what's next, DUers railing dionysus May 2014 #246

The problem with tolls creeksneakers2 May 2014 #251

and they're NECESSARY! elleng May 2014 #252

Taxed on the money Go Vols May 2014 #254

If you can make it progressive, give those with low incomes free toll passes, I'd think about it Hippo_Tron May 2014 #257

Yah these threads are off the wall... I feel like I'm reading infowars or something. Agschmid May 2014 #258

No surprise, really Bobbie Jo May 2014 #261