Gawain 0 #51 November 17, 2006 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteNo, my blunt stick is good enough. The first time I brought this up, you said you didn't believe you made any mention of "fines". This time, I'm apparently not aware of what the fines were intended to do. You may try to argue that the initial $500 fine and subsequent $1000 fines are to pay for the true cost of using an SUV in the global economy, but that doesn't hold up. I very seriously doubt there is any reason for a second trip through Detroit in an SUV to have twice the effect on the global economy when compared to the first. And a second trip down a street or across a bridge would not be any more damaging than the first. So the point of the fines is to discourage people from driving SUV's with no passengers into urban areas. The fines are to penalize them, to affect their decisions on what to drive and where. FallRate For what it's worth, there is a gas-guzzler tax imposed on new car purchases (not trucks) for vehicles which have inefficient MPG ratings. The liability ranges from $1000 to $7700. Why should a rancher who needs a SUV have to pay the same tax as a a big city condo dweller who just wants a SUV because they are fashionable? Because clearly, you misread my post. The gas-guzzler tax does not apply to trucks. Due to their increased cost however, there is a higher sales tax, so they're on level ground. Why should one pay a higher tax than the other? It's none of anyone's business why someone chooses to drive what they drive.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,148 #52 November 17, 2006 Quote Why should one pay a higher tax than the other? It's none of anyone's business why someone chooses to drive what they drive. Well, you half agree with me. It's no-one's business what I drive as I stated at the very beginning, but if taxes need to be used to make sure that I pay for the TRUE costs of my actions if I choose to drive an inappropriate vehicle in a congested city, so be it. I came to this conclusion after a trip to Santa Fe NM. I had reserved an economy car but when I got to the rental place all they had was a Lincoln Navigator. If you've been to Santa Fe you'll know that driving around the narrow windy streets in a large SUV IS very anti-social and should be discouraged by whatever means.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
