Ruff, I discovered years ago that ALL state legislatures and the federal congress CAN SPEND ALL FUNDS AS THEY WISH! It doesn’t matter if a tax was enacted for such+such a purpose, they simply can refuse to fund the program. I’ve watched this happen often in Massachusetts, and even in some cities around here!.After FDR got Social Security passed, the monies collected from our pay was put into the S.S. fund. But, as I understand it, it was President Johnson who first raided it to pay for his “Great Society” (He paid for the Vietnam War with a credit card). Subsequent presidents and congresses did the same. Now, they are telling us that there is not enough left in the fund to help the baby-boomers. Well, DUH!! S.S. is not, as the republicans claim, an “entitlement” WE PAID INTO IT, all our working lives. It is our property, our DUE.
You should see all the rusting bridges and crumbling roads in this state. Gov. Patrick raised the gas tax a few years ago, ballyhooing that he was going to build up our infrastructure. I don’t believe one dollar of that extra gas revenue went into our roads. Now, he wants to raise the gas tax again, trotting out the same drivel as before.
louieglutz: a stupid idea being studied at OSU, and several other states are aiming the same direction, rather than raise the gas tax by 5 cents a gallon, letting the oil companies raise their prices by $0.50 to a dollar a gallon at the drop of a hat, or need for a new yacht for the CEO.
A slight tangent but along the lines of the toon – I’ve always found it odd that local excise taxes for cars are based on how new and expensive a car is, not how big/heavy it is or the wear and tear it puts on the roads
cjr53 about 10 years ago
Ruff: or everyone buy a gas hog and keep the pedal to the metal. :-)
moosemin about 10 years ago
Ruff, I discovered years ago that ALL state legislatures and the federal congress CAN SPEND ALL FUNDS AS THEY WISH! It doesn’t matter if a tax was enacted for such+such a purpose, they simply can refuse to fund the program. I’ve watched this happen often in Massachusetts, and even in some cities around here!.After FDR got Social Security passed, the monies collected from our pay was put into the S.S. fund. But, as I understand it, it was President Johnson who first raided it to pay for his “Great Society” (He paid for the Vietnam War with a credit card). Subsequent presidents and congresses did the same. Now, they are telling us that there is not enough left in the fund to help the baby-boomers. Well, DUH!! S.S. is not, as the republicans claim, an “entitlement” WE PAID INTO IT, all our working lives. It is our property, our DUE.
You should see all the rusting bridges and crumbling roads in this state. Gov. Patrick raised the gas tax a few years ago, ballyhooing that he was going to build up our infrastructure. I don’t believe one dollar of that extra gas revenue went into our roads. Now, he wants to raise the gas tax again, trotting out the same drivel as before.
VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS.
louieglutz about 10 years ago
in oregon they want to tax those fuel saving vehicles by the miles they drive. so i guess we don’t need incentives to save fossil fuels anymore.
Dtroutma about 10 years ago
louieglutz: a stupid idea being studied at OSU, and several other states are aiming the same direction, rather than raise the gas tax by 5 cents a gallon, letting the oil companies raise their prices by $0.50 to a dollar a gallon at the drop of a hat, or need for a new yacht for the CEO.
meetinthemiddle about 10 years ago
A slight tangent but along the lines of the toon – I’ve always found it odd that local excise taxes for cars are based on how new and expensive a car is, not how big/heavy it is or the wear and tear it puts on the roads