[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
>What's with all the comparisons to Europe? As if that's the ideal? Never >mind the fact that a couple of large states here in the US have more land >area than all of Europe combined...how can you even begin to make a fair >comparison regarding public transportation?
I agree that mass transit in the US is a horse of a different color. That was why in my original post I said "where it makes sense". Some places just don't lend themselves to mass transit, others do. Some could if given the chance and proper encouragement.
>And as for your argument, a large portion of the per gallon cost of >gasoline already IS going to taxes. So more gas purchased already means >more taxes paid. Why not raise that tax for everyone and make it per >gallon? Why single out taxes by vehicle type? You want to talk emissions? >Take a look at emissions for lawn mowers sometime. Or worse, 2 stroke >weed-eaters. Should there be an extra tax for people who have yards and >not ornamental rock gardens--a grass tax perhaps? Maybe we can make a new >department for policing the types of yards people have. What about fuel >efficient motorcycles that don't have cats? What about portable >generators with carbs and no cats that contractors run by the thousands >every single day to do their jobs? What about HRVOC's that are a >realeased by-product at any type of plastics manufacture? And oh-my-gosh, >what about power plants? Do you use electric in your home? I'm so sick >and tired of hearing all the band wagon people complain about SUV's >without really considering the issues involved.
Interesting thought, but let's evaluate it. Let's say that the cost to us, via both taxes and cost of goods, goes to $8 per gallon. Tell me how much of your monthly net that increase is, and let's compare it to the various ends of the income spectrum. Making the assumption that it would be something you could still afford, and someone at the bottom of the "middle class" bracket could with sacrifice, what does that do to the the next block? it prices it out of reach for them. things like; going on welfare, defaulting on loans, foregoing car insurance, foregoing health insurance... All choices that will have outcomes that will affect *you* (and me), just will take a little time to get back around to you.
On the lawn mower side, let's evaluate that. When is the last time you put more that one gallon through your mower in a week? How about 10 gallons through your vehicle in a week? Multiple that by all your neighboors and add to all my neighboors... It's not just the rate of pollution per engine. It's the rate times the usage times the number of engines.
Yes, I agree with you that power plants need work too. Since you know about that I assume you are doing your part with double pane windows, lower wattage lights, and all the usual things?
Sorry you are sick about hearing about SUVs from so many folks, maybe there is something to it? Again, I don't think it's SUVs persay, it's using them when another method of transportation would suffice.
I'd appreciate hearing from you the issues involved here, really, no bull. I'm sure I've overlooked something and want an exchange of information.
>Why do you feel the need to inhibit ther personal choice of others? >Should there not be freedom to live to ideals other than yours?
I'm sure from your response you think this is true, that someone feels the need to inhibit personal choices of others. It's always tough to defend a position and I respect you for wanting to do so.
There are many people that have ideals that are different that mine, and I suspect yours, and those ideals don't interact or impact the rest of us in anyway. Some off the cuff examples, you want to tatoo yourself from head to toe? fine. you want to color your hair purple? swell. You like to wear religious garb? knock yourself out. you want to dress as the other sex? have a good time. none of these examples are meant to offend, just a wide swath of things we all see, maybe every day. But, if you want to build a chicken farm in your backyard in my neighboorhood that won't fly, if even if it is your personal choice. If you want to raise dogs and have litters and sell the pups, that won't fly either. And I bet there are very similar examples in your neighboorhood too.
>1. Using more gas already means paying more taxes on a per gallon basis-->If you want to increase taxes, what's the problem with increasing the gas >taxes overall on a per gallon basis?
>2. If you want to talk emissions, get off the SUV band wagon and start >looking at the real sources and issues.
It's more and paying the taxes, it's the total usage of a finite item. It may see like it's unlimited, but it's really not. your other points are covered above.
I'm pretty sure that vehicle emissions are close to the top, if not at the top, on emissions on many large US cities.
let's continue this, really! I want to know more about what you know.
BTW, I have a Ford E250 van. That's a 3/4 ton to the rest of you. 351 Cleveland V8, automatic transmission. On a good day it gets 12 mpg. I use it for two things, 1) taking two dirt bikes to the races, and 2) moving stuff that doesn't fit in my car. You won't see me commuting in it because it 1) costs too much in gas (especially in the last 18 months!) and 2) is a panel van so there are blind spots for both me and surrounding vehicles to deal with. So, I take a Saab! :-)
I guess I'm saying if all you have is a hammer everything has to look like a nail... and that's bad. Use the right tool for the job?
-soneway
, Thu, 9 Mar 2006 09:27:57
, Fri, 10 Mar 2006 01:05:33, Fri, 10 Mar 2006 01:07:39, Sat, 11 Mar 2006 01:57:09
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
