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The Basement
Batteries May Become Obsolete
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<blockquote data-quote="John Roberts" data-source="post: 81706" data-attributes="member: 126"><p>Re: Batteries May Become Obsolete</p><p></p><p></p><p>I really don't enjoy talking about taxes and healthcare but reflexively respond whenever I perceive mistaken understandings, be it audio, electronics, or economics. I understand that there is not wide agreement over some of these issues. Even economic experts don't agree with each other. </p><p>===</p><p>The suggestion that elevated taxes on petrol in Europe are an attempt to capture the "full" cost of that fuel, does not ring true to me. Who is that remaining fraction owed to? Do they get made whole? I think not. (I found one citation that claims an un-captured environmental cost of $0.30/gal (here), I didn't read the supporting document so repeat their number without comment). </p><p></p><p>A large marginal tax on petrol serves the more obvious purpose to be an incentive to discourage driving large, heavy, inefficient cars, and reduce congestion since it is not practical to widen and expand roadways in densely populated areas. Public transportation which is quite mature in Europe is subsidized by the state and surely a lot of the petrol tax ends up funding public transportation. </p><p></p><p>I have long been on record (contrary to popular opinion) that we should probably pay a higher fuel tax, as we have bridges falling down around us due to inadequate maintenance. My primary concern is that I don't trust the politicians to be very good shepherds of the peoples money. How many recall a couple years (or more) ago when the politicians suggested car makers add mileage monitors so citizens could be charged for miles driven, as they saw gas tax revenue shrinking from higher mileage cars. What happens if their heavy thumb on the scale ever succeeds at wide scale adoption of EV.. no gas tax to support road use. However taxing electric cars for road use, might seem a little conflicted in the context of the ridiculous subsidies they now enjoy. </p><p></p><p>A more practical remedy seems private operation of toll roads. Pay as you go for what you use. </p><p>------</p><p></p><p>It is a stretch to call this (underpriced gas). "Another form of privatizing gains, and socializing losses.". In fact gasoline taxes are probably the most regressive tax hitting poor people hardest who commute to work harder than the more wealthy who barely notice gas prices. If anything it is a wealth transfer to the poor to under-tax gasoline. </p><p></p><p>I am severely tempted to widen the inspection of things that are getting "socialized" these days , but am already far enough off topic to feel bad (only a little), and I don't need to get all political. I will make one quick observation about politics. They must actually like to fight (or believe they will win every fight). Why else would they engineer short term solutions to fiscal matters to keep us in distracting political hand-to-hand combat for many months more. Finish one fight, immediately shift gears to the next one. Think about that and draw your own conclusions, I will only lead you to the water. </p><p></p><p>JR</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="John Roberts, post: 81706, member: 126"] Re: Batteries May Become Obsolete I really don't enjoy talking about taxes and healthcare but reflexively respond whenever I perceive mistaken understandings, be it audio, electronics, or economics. I understand that there is not wide agreement over some of these issues. Even economic experts don't agree with each other. === The suggestion that elevated taxes on petrol in Europe are an attempt to capture the "full" cost of that fuel, does not ring true to me. Who is that remaining fraction owed to? Do they get made whole? I think not. (I found one citation that claims an un-captured environmental cost of $0.30/gal (here), I didn't read the supporting document so repeat their number without comment). A large marginal tax on petrol serves the more obvious purpose to be an incentive to discourage driving large, heavy, inefficient cars, and reduce congestion since it is not practical to widen and expand roadways in densely populated areas. Public transportation which is quite mature in Europe is subsidized by the state and surely a lot of the petrol tax ends up funding public transportation. I have long been on record (contrary to popular opinion) that we should probably pay a higher fuel tax, as we have bridges falling down around us due to inadequate maintenance. My primary concern is that I don't trust the politicians to be very good shepherds of the peoples money. How many recall a couple years (or more) ago when the politicians suggested car makers add mileage monitors so citizens could be charged for miles driven, as they saw gas tax revenue shrinking from higher mileage cars. What happens if their heavy thumb on the scale ever succeeds at wide scale adoption of EV.. no gas tax to support road use. However taxing electric cars for road use, might seem a little conflicted in the context of the ridiculous subsidies they now enjoy. A more practical remedy seems private operation of toll roads. Pay as you go for what you use. ------ It is a stretch to call this (underpriced gas). "Another form of privatizing gains, and socializing losses.". In fact gasoline taxes are probably the most regressive tax hitting poor people hardest who commute to work harder than the more wealthy who barely notice gas prices. If anything it is a wealth transfer to the poor to under-tax gasoline. I am severely tempted to widen the inspection of things that are getting "socialized" these days , but am already far enough off topic to feel bad (only a little), and I don't need to get all political. I will make one quick observation about politics. They must actually like to fight (or believe they will win every fight). Why else would they engineer short term solutions to fiscal matters to keep us in distracting political hand-to-hand combat for many months more. Finish one fight, immediately shift gears to the next one. Think about that and draw your own conclusions, I will only lead you to the water. JR [/QUOTE]
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