Federal Highway Funding

[Skull Pilot]

[/COLOR]

These 2 Charts Prove American Drivers Don't Pay Enough for Roads

To wit: Americans pay around $450 a year in road charges, according to the data compiled by Gomez and Vassallo. That's roughly 3 to 4 times less drivers from other countries in the study. Once again the key culprit is the gas tax. U.S. gas tax rates are up to 83 percent lower for gasoline cars and 81 percent lower for diesel cars compared to the same taxes paid in European nations.

Gomez and Vassallo conclude:

The US funding model has showed itself to have a limited capacity to meet the increasing demands of road programs in the future. In this respect, it seems clear that significantly relying for the securing of funds on non-revisable or seldom-revisable charges, as happens with the federal gas tax in the US, makes the system unsustainable in the long-term.



These 2 Charts Prove American Drivers Don't Pay Enough for Roads - CityLab



Gas tax falling short in paying for transportation needs



Highway advocates often claim that roads “pay for themselves,” with gasoline taxes and other charges to motorists covering – or nearly covering – the full cost of highway construction and maintenance.

They are wrong.



Highways do not – and, except for brief periods in our nation’s history – never have paid for themselves through the taxes that highway advocates label “user fees.”

Since 1947, the amount of money spent on highways, roads and streets has exceeded the amount raised through gasoline taxes and other so-called “user fees” by $600 billion (2005 dollars), representing a massive transfer of general government funds to highways.



Do Roads Pay for Themselves? | Frontier Group

It proves no such thing.

We collected 100 billion in 2013 alone in taxes and fees that were supposed to be earmarked for roads.

We overpay unions for road work, graft and corruption are rife within all federal highway projects.

That the corrupt ass wipes in government and unions commit malfeasance with our taxes does not mean we have too little money stolen from us.

Since 1947, the amount of money spent on highways, roads and streets has exceeded the amount raised through gasoline taxes and other so-called “user fees” by $600 billion (2005 dollars), representing a massive transfer of general government funds to highways.

The government wasting our money is not reason to take more of our money

 

[Skull Pilot]

Gas tax is a user fee. It just has never covered all the cost & now has a huge gap. Private roads have expensive toll booths, operators & profits. User fees will explode & cause economic harm. The gas tax is the most efficient & effective way to pay user fees.

If highways were privately managed the state and fed would not have to charge a gas tax to fund them. Instead the management company would collect fees directly from those who use highways via tolls or usage fees.

Gas taxes could be used solely for state local routes and roads

You & Crystal meth head are the stupidest idiots on here. The cheapest toll roads in the USA cost drivers 5 cents a mile & they are still tax payer subsidized.That's $1.25 a gallon just for the toll because the average car now getting 25/mpg. The government does it for 70% cheaper than the the cheapest private roads. That's not counting the $1.03 a gallon tax payers pay for the military to guard oil shipping lanes.

Toll roads in California charge 35 cents a mile. That is the same as $8.75 a gallon gas tax. Add in the $103 military cost & you will be paying the same as a $9.78 a gallon tax. Then add the $3 a gallon wholesale cost for gas & California drivers will pay $12.78 equivalent price per gallon of gas. Per mile tolls are regressive penalizing fuel efficiency.

So hell no to your stupid plan to do serious irreparable economic harm to this country & it's citizens. Go find another country to destroy.

Hey idiot you can't equate tolls and gas taxes.

Gas taxes are based per gallon tolls are either a flat rate or based per mile. Some vehicles get charged higher tolls than others as well.

The military does not have anything to do with the roads in this country. We are not talking about oil and it's transport we are talking about the upkeep of roads.

if Highways were privatized only those people driving on them would be paying for them and there would be no taxpayer subsidy.

 

[Dad2three]

[/COLOR]

It proves no such thing.

We collected 100 billion in 2013 alone in taxes and fees that were supposed to be earmarked for roads.

We overpay unions for road work, graft and corruption are rife within all federal highway projects.

That the corrupt ass wipes in government and unions commit malfeasance with our taxes does not mean we have too little money stolen from us.

Since 1947, the amount of money spent on highways, roads and streets has exceeded the amount raised through gasoline taxes and other so-called “user fees” by $600 billion (2005 dollars), representing a massive transfer of general government funds to highways.

The government wasting our money is not reason to take more of our money

Got it, as usual a right winger uses the ONLY thing they have, FALSE PREMISES, distortions and LIES

 

[Dad2three]

If highways were privately managed the state and fed would not have to charge a gas tax to fund them. Instead the management company would collect fees directly from those who use highways via tolls or usage fees.

Gas taxes could be used solely for state local routes and roads

You & Crystal meth head are the stupidest idiots on here. The cheapest toll roads in the USA cost drivers 5 cents a mile & they are still tax payer subsidized.That's $1.25 a gallon just for the toll because the average car now getting 25/mpg. The government does it for 70% cheaper than the the cheapest private roads. That's not counting the $1.03 a gallon tax payers pay for the military to guard oil shipping lanes.

Toll roads in California charge 35 cents a mile. That is the same as $8.75 a gallon gas tax. Add in the $103 military cost & you will be paying the same as a $9.78 a gallon tax. Then add the $3 a gallon wholesale cost for gas & California drivers will pay $12.78 equivalent price per gallon of gas. Per mile tolls are regressive penalizing fuel efficiency.

So hell no to your stupid plan to do serious irreparable economic harm to this country & it's citizens. Go find another country to destroy.

Hey idiot you can't equate tolls and gas taxes.

Gas taxes are based per gallon tolls are either a flat rate or based per mile. Some vehicles get charged higher tolls than others as well.

The military does not have anything to do with the roads in this country. We are not talking about oil and it's transport we are talking about the upkeep of roads.

if Highways were privatized only those people driving on them would be paying for them and there would be no taxpayer subsidy.

TxDOT Plans to Convert Some Roads to Gravel

"Since paving roads is too expensive and there is not enough funding to repave them all, our only other option to make them safer is to turn them into gravel roads," TxDOT spokesman David Glessner said.


Along with converting the roads to gravel, TxDOT plans to reduce the speed limits in some segments to 30 mph


Plan to Convert Roads to Gravel Begins Despite Pushback | The Texas Tribune

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

Government funded projects do not grow the economy. They shift confiscated funds from one segment of society to another segment. Anyone who has traveled through Pa and MD along Interstate 81 and 78 is well aware that highway and bridge construction is ongoing and seemingly never ending.

Government interference does never grow the economy.

That's ridiculous.

The Government is both the largest employer of Americans and the largest consumer of American products.

thats is 100% true. The gov't, by-in- large, does not invent things so does not make the economy grow. Make-work bureaucrats in a govt monopoly are hardly inventors or business strategists.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Screw you! Sales, income & property tax will soar.

Make the users pay for roads & end the heavy subsidy from tax payers.

Missouri Senate just passe a record sales tax increase for roads to cover the gas tax shortfall. That money is buying asphalt & fuel from oil companies to build roads for their customers. People who walk or bike should not be paying another 1% sales tax increase for roads.

That can be true for state funding, but when highways are funded by the private sector only users of the roads will have to pay.

Gas tax is a user fee. It just has never covered all the cost & now has a huge gap. Private roads have expensive toll booths, operators & profits. User fees will explode & cause economic harm. The gas tax is the most efficient & effective way to pay user fees.

So why can't states raise their gas tax once the feds are out of the way? You're not making a whole lot of sense.

 

[OnePercenter]

And in the magical land of Conservatopia, highways and bridges somehow manage to fix themselves.

No, the STATE'S should be responsible for the highway infrastructure within their borders.

Eighty percent of the population of the United States lives within 200 miles of water. What makes you think that non-coastal states have the tax base to do this?

 

[OnePercenter]

Just let states or the private sector take over the highways.

You want toll roads? Besides, if a private company builds and maintains roadways, don't those companies deduct (subsidy) their expenses and tax payers pay anyway by having to make up unrealized taxes?

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

Just let states or the private sector take over the highways.

You want toll roads? Besides, if a private company builds and maintains roadways, don't those companies deduct (subsidy) their expenses and tax payers pay anyway by having to make up unrealized taxes?

I think the point is that a govt or soviet or VA monopoly will always be the least efficient and deadliest way to do anything for obvious reasons.

 

[OnePercenter]

Just let states or the private sector take over the highways.

You want toll roads? Besides, if a private company builds and maintains roadways, don't those companies deduct (subsidy) their expenses and tax payers pay anyway by having to make up unrealized taxes?

I think the point is that a govt or soviet or VA monopoly will always be the least efficient and deadliest way to do anything for obvious reasons.

Then you've missed the point. Privatizing everything is not the answer. The United States as a government has taken the best parts of other political ideologies and made it work for the people. Socialist, in providing services and structures. Marxism, by outlawing child labor and promoting education. By pushing private roadways you're doing nothing but raising costs for the middle class.

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

You want toll roads? Besides, if a private company builds and maintains roadways, don't those companies deduct (subsidy) their expenses and tax payers pay anyway by having to make up unrealized taxes?

I think the point is that a govt or soviet or VA monopoly will always be the least efficient and deadliest way to do anything for obvious reasons.

Then you've missed the point. Privatizing everything is not the answer. The United States as a government has taken the best parts of other political ideologies and made it work for the people. Socialist, in providing services and structures. Marxism, by outlawing child labor and promoting education. By pushing private roadways you're doing nothing but raising costs for the middle class.

Socialist, in providing services and structures???

you mean like health care which costs 5 times what it should costs thanks to the liberal monopoly?

you mean like education which turns out the dumbest kids in the civilized world?

you mean like the roadway monopoly which must also cost 5 times the competitive rate?
Do you get that competition makes us better rather than worse??

 

[TooTall]

And in the magical land of Conservatopia, highways and bridges somehow manage to fix themselves.

In the magic land of Libtopia, raising taxes fixes everything!

CBO: Fed tax rates hit historic low

The average tax rates for American households reached a historical low in 2009, according to a report issued by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.

Indeed, federal taxes for American households averaged 17.4 percent in 2009, a historical low over the 1979 to 2009 period.

WEIRD, WASN'T THAT WHEN THE TP (BIRCHERS) WERE FORMED?


CBO: Fed tax rates hit historic low - Tim Mak - POLITICO.com


Your taxes are really low, in one chart

The average filer saw her effective tax rate drop from 22 percent in 1979 to 18.1 percent in 2010

Your taxes are really low, in one chart - The Washington Post


Tax bills in 2009 at lowest level since 1950


Federal, state and local income taxes consumed 9.2% of all personal income in 2009, the lowest rate since 1950

Tax bills in 2009 at lowest level since 1950 - USATODAY.com

You left out Social Security, Medicare and Obamacare taxes as well as the following:

Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax (Fed)
Federal Unemployment Tax (FU TA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge Taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges TaxÂ
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

 

[EdwardBaiamonte]

In the magic land of Libtopia, raising taxes fixes everything!

CBO: Fed tax rates hit historic low

The average tax rates for American households reached a historical low in 2009, according to a report issued by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.

Indeed, federal taxes for American households averaged 17.4 percent in 2009, a historical low over the 1979 to 2009 period.

WEIRD, WASN'T THAT WHEN THE TP (BIRCHERS) WERE FORMED?


CBO: Fed tax rates hit historic low - Tim Mak - POLITICO.com


Your taxes are really low, in one chart

The average filer saw her effective tax rate drop from 22 percent in 1979 to 18.1 percent in 2010

Your taxes are really low, in one chart - The Washington Post


Tax bills in 2009 at lowest level since 1950


Federal, state and local income taxes consumed 9.2% of all personal income in 2009, the lowest rate since 1950

Tax bills in 2009 at lowest level since 1950 - USATODAY.com

You left out Social Security, Medicare and Obamacare taxes as well as the following:

Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax (Fed)
Federal Unemployment Tax (FU TA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge Taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges TaxÂ
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

govt spending as % of GDP has gone up steadily since 1900 from 8% to 42%

 

[Dad2three]

Government interference does never grow the economy.

That's ridiculous.

The Government is both the largest employer of Americans and the largest consumer of American products.

thats is 100% true. The gov't, by-in- large, does not invent things so does not make the economy grow. Make-work bureaucrats in a govt monopoly are hardly inventors or business strategists.

The Second Industrial Revolution, 1870-1914

The federal government actively participated in this growth by promoting industrial and agricultural development. High tariffs were enacted to protect American industry from foreign competition, land was granted to railroad companies to encourage construction, and the army was employed to forcibly remove Indians from western land desired by farmers and mining companies. The rapid growth of factory production, mining, and railroad construction all boosted the new industrial economy and stood in stark contrast to the previous small farm and artisan workshop economy of the pre-Civil War era.

By 1913, the United States produced one-third of the world’s industrial out put–more than the total of Great Britain, France, and Germany combined.

The Second Industrial Revolution, 1870-1914 | US History Scene




(Re-)Introducing: The American School of Economics



When the United States became independent from Britain it also rebelled against the British System of economics, characterized by Adam Smith, in favor of the American School based on protectionism and infrastructure and prospered under this system for almost 200 years to become the wealthiest nation in the world. Unrestrained free trade resurfaced in the early 1900s culminating in the Great Depression and again in the 1970s culminating in the current Economic Meltdown.



Closely related to mercantilism, it can be seen as contrary to classical economics. It consisted of these three core policies:

protecting industry through selective high tariffs (especially 1861–1932) and through subsidies (especially 1932–70)

government investments in infrastructure creating targeted internal improvements (especially in transportation)

a national bank with policies that promote the growth of productive enterprises rather than speculation



Frank Bourgin's 1989 study of the Constitutional Convention shows that direct government involvement in the economy was intended by the Founders.

The goal, most forcefully articulated by Hamilton, was to ensure that dearly won political independence was not lost by being economically and financially dependent on the powers and princes of Europe. The creation of a strong central government able to promote science, invention, industry and commerce, was seen as an essential means of promoting the general welfare and making the economy of the United States strong enough for them to determine their own destiny.


American School of Economics


American School (economics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Although human ingenuity is indeed a wonder, a closer look at the history of the emergence of new technologies reveals that government R&D spending played an important role in the development of almost every general-purpose technology in which the United States was internationally competitive. In particular, defense-related research, development, and procurement played a pervasive role in the development of a number of industries—aircraft, nuclear power, computer, semiconductor, Internet and satellite communication, and Earth-observing systems—that account for a substantial share of U.S. industrial production.

Will Government Programs Spur the Next Breakthrough? | Issues in Science and Technology


It was heartening, therefore, when USA Today recently offered a list of the “Top 25 Scientific Breakthroughs” that have occurred in its 25 years, and nine of them came from space, eight directly from NASA


Technology transfer has been a mandate for NASA since the agency was established by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. The act requires that NASA provide the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and results. It also provides NASA with the authority to patent inventions to which it has title. The term “spinoff” was invented to describe specific technologies developed by NASA for its missions that are transferred for commercial use or some other beneficial application. Thus far, NASA has documented more than 1,500 spinoff success stories.


NASA - Space Program Benefits: NASA?s Positive Impact on Society

Space Program Benefits: NASA’s Positive Impact on Society

Space exploration has created new markets and new technologies that have spurred our economy and changed our lives in many ways

Health and Medicine

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

Infrared Ear Thermometers

Artificial Limbs

Ventricular Assist Device


Transportation

Anti-Icing Systems

Highway Safety

Improved Radial Tires


Chemical Detection

Public Safety

Video Enhancing and Analysis Systems

MANY MORE

NASA Technologies Benefit Our Lives

 

[Dad2three]

CBO: Fed tax rates hit historic low

The average tax rates for American households reached a historical low in 2009, according to a report issued by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.

Indeed, federal taxes for American households averaged 17.4 percent in 2009, a historical low over the 1979 to 2009 period.

WEIRD, WASN'T THAT WHEN THE TP (BIRCHERS) WERE FORMED?


CBO: Fed tax rates hit historic low - Tim Mak - POLITICO.com


Your taxes are really low, in one chart

The average filer saw her effective tax rate drop from 22 percent in 1979 to 18.1 percent in 2010

Your taxes are really low, in one chart - The Washington Post


Tax bills in 2009 at lowest level since 1950


Federal, state and local income taxes consumed 9.2% of all personal income in 2009, the lowest rate since 1950

Tax bills in 2009 at lowest level since 1950 - USATODAY.com

You left out Social Security, Medicare and Obamacare taxes as well as the following:

Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax (Fed)
Federal Unemployment Tax (FU TA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge Taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges TaxÂ
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

govt spending as % of GDP has gone up steadily since 1900 from 8% to 42%

AND the economy has boomed, correct?

 

[Dad2three]

In the magic land of Libtopia, raising taxes fixes everything!

CBO: Fed tax rates hit historic low

The average tax rates for American households reached a historical low in 2009, according to a report issued by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.

Indeed, federal taxes for American households averaged 17.4 percent in 2009, a historical low over the 1979 to 2009 period.

WEIRD, WASN'T THAT WHEN THE TP (BIRCHERS) WERE FORMED?


CBO: Fed tax rates hit historic low - Tim Mak - POLITICO.com


Your taxes are really low, in one chart

The average filer saw her effective tax rate drop from 22 percent in 1979 to 18.1 percent in 2010

Your taxes are really low, in one chart - The Washington Post


Tax bills in 2009 at lowest level since 1950


Federal, state and local income taxes consumed 9.2% of all personal income in 2009, the lowest rate since 1950

Tax bills in 2009 at lowest level since 1950 - USATODAY.com

You left out Social Security, Medicare and Obamacare taxes as well as the following:

Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax (Fed)
Federal Unemployment Tax (FU TA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge Taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges TaxÂ
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

And? Does it refute the right wingers LIE about taxes being high AND their premise about the 47% which is ONLY income taxes?

 

[Dad2three]

I think the point is that a govt or soviet or VA monopoly will always be the least efficient and deadliest way to do anything for obvious reasons.

Then you've missed the point. Privatizing everything is not the answer. The United States as a government has taken the best parts of other political ideologies and made it work for the people. Socialist, in providing services and structures. Marxism, by outlawing child labor and promoting education. By pushing private roadways you're doing nothing but raising costs for the middle class.

Socialist, in providing services and structures???

you mean like health care which costs 5 times what it should costs thanks to the liberal monopoly?

you mean like education which turns out the dumbest kids in the civilized world?

you mean like the roadway monopoly which must also cost 5 times the competitive rate?
Do you get that competition makes us better rather than worse??

YOU need to grow a brain. The US spends more than EVERY industrialized nation on PRIVATE, FOR PROFIT H/C. where does the US rank?

NO NATION WITH UHC WANTS US STYLE H/C. NONE. You wing nutters can't find one poll EVER that they do!

 

[Shanty]

Government interference does never grow the economy.

That's ridiculous.

The Government is both the largest employer of Americans and the largest consumer of American products.

thats is 100% true. The gov't, by-in- large, does not invent things so does not make the economy grow. Make-work bureaucrats in a govt monopoly are hardly inventors or business strategists.

The government funds quite a few things the economy depends on for its existence as a modern economy, with rail, ships, autos and airplanes.

Not to mention the R&D the government funds ends up having a spending multiplier of 13 in the economy.

 

[Politico]

Do away with federal highway funding. Kick it all back to the states and let them be responsible for maintaining their own roads, highways, and transportation infrastructure. The federal government is not chartered with this responsibility in the Constitution anyway.

That.

 

[Shanty]

Do away with federal highway funding. Kick it all back to the states and let them be responsible for maintaining their own roads, highways, and transportation infrastructure. The federal government is not chartered with this responsibility in the Constitution anyway.

That.

... is a recipe for failure.