The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) this week released a report that said taxing people based on how many miles they drive is a possible option for raising new revenues and that these taxes could be used to offset the costs of highway maintenance at a time when federal funds are short.

The report discussed the proposal in great detail, including the development of technology that would allow total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) to be tracked, reported and taxed, as well as the pros and cons of mandating the installation of this technology in all vehicles.

You’ll particularly appreciate this part:

Conrad said in response that federal funds are tight, and in asking for recommendations on how to raise that money, he noted the possibility of a VMT tax as a way to solve the problem of collecting less in taxes as people move to more fuel-efficient vehicles.

“Do we do gas tax?” Conrad asked. “Do we move to some kind of an assessment that is based on how many miles vehicles go, so that we capture revenue from those who are going to be using the roads who aren’t going to be paying any gas tax, or very little, with hybrids and electric cars?”

In essence: because we’ve finally pushed you into hybrids, it’s not fair that taxes on gasoline are faltering (even though you already pay 47+ cents per gallon in federal taxes); we need another way to fleece the taxpayer, another strata of taxation. It’s not enough that you already pay for roads via other taxes — now we need to turn you upside down, charge you for mileage and then install intrusive devices on your vehicle.

The United States under Mr Obama and his minions, Demorats, and various realms of Leftists absolutely insist on reliving and following the former path of Europe when, in fact, they could merely open their eyes to the trends currently seen in Europe. I, for this example, hold up the United Kingdom for examination.

Someone always thinks they can “do” Socialism “correctly.” And so it is with Mr Obama. Except that, now, he finds himself torn in many different directions and, thusly, disappoints his Core Leftist Base. Please see my previous post.

And guess what? History clearly, again and again, proves: it can’t be done. Socialism, complete and utter reliance on the government, cannot be done and, further, results in catastrophe and an entire re-thinking of that apparent Utopian goal — if in fact you can even remotely classify Socialism as “Utopian.” I tend to classify Socialism as more solipsistic for its instigators, who truly do not have the Utopian goal in mind. They feature their own individual and/or collective power in mind.

America and, specifically, Mr Obama possesses clear and present — what I term — Historical Alzheimers. That is to say, Mr Obama fails to learn from history and thinks that his iteration of Socialism is the one that will trump all others and actually work.

There is no history or evidence to support or indicate this.

Which is where the newest move by the UK comes into play. Courtesy of The Telegraph:

George Osborne has announced a surprise cut in fuel duty in a Budget statement designed to help families and deliver growth and jobs.

The Chancellor told the House of Commons that he had “put fuel into the tank of the British economy” as he announced that petrol duty would be reduced by 1p a litre from 6pm this evening.

In a move designed to help drivers suffering from record petrol prices, he cancelled a 1p rise in duty scheduled by the last Labour government for next week, and announced a “Fair Fuel Stabiliser” to keep costs down.

The move will be funded by an increased levy on oil and gas production.

In a 56 minute address, Mr Osborne also announced that corporation tax would be cut by 2 per cent, more than the 1 per cent reduction which was already scheduled, with further 1 per cent falls in coming years.

Funded by an extension of the banking levy, the tax will eventually be slashed to 23% from its current rate of 28%.

As he concluded his speech, Mr Osborne said: “We want the words ‘Made in Britain,’ ‘Created in Britain,’ Designed in Britain,’ ‘Invented in Britain’ to drive our nation forward.

“A Britain carried aloft by the march of the makers. That is how we will create jobs and support families.”

Imagine that. Someone in a government who wants to reduce taxes in order to stimulate economic growth. And who, apparently, believes in Nationalism. Sovereignty.

Reduce taxes. Reduce regulations. Remove obstacles to private property, capitalism. If anything should shrink, it should be the federal government followed by state and local governments. Let entrepreneurs make the big steps. But reward them, if successful. Reward ideas and new moves. Then step out of the way.

But, of course, Nationalism and Sovereignty, those are Bad Words. Here in America, we have been told time and again by the Obama Administration that there is no such thing as American Exceptionalism.

Keep repeating it, sir, and you will be rewarded with precisely that.

You blithering idiot.

Someone, please, insert an actual adult into American politics, will you?

BZ

P.S.
I will say this in defense of Mr Obama: at least he can keep his penis in his pants, unlike other former presidents during their terms. I suspect the bulk of you know why.

And please recognize: this clarion call isn’t from the GOP — it’s from the Demorats:

President Barack Obama should be impeached for approving air strikes against Libya, Rep. Dennis Kucinich said in an interview Monday.

“President Obama moved forward without Congress approving,” the liberal Ohio Democrat told Raw Story. “He didn’t have congressional authorization, he has gone against the Constitution, and that’s got to be said.” Several other members of Congress have also chastised the Obama administration for not doing enough to sell the intervention to Congress, let alone to the American people.

Kucinich went a bit further in his Monday remarks than he did over the weekend when, as POLITICO reported, he questioned why the U.S. strikes weren’t impeachable offenses while on a Democratic Caucus conference call.

Obama’s decision “would appear on its face to be an impeachable offense,” though he conceded in the interview that he’s unsure whether Congress would move ahead on a trial. Kucinich wanted to impeach former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney for their roles in leading the United States into war in Iraq and for their oversight of the conduct of the war, but was blocked by Democratic leadership.

You, you damned Conservatives, you’re making the lives of DC Republicans difficult.

Because of that, there is now “pushback” and whining from the GOP.

Not just whining, but finger-pointing, negative rhetoric, and the accusation that “you Conservatives just don’t get it.“

Really?
This tactic is so tired and so obvious that even the historic carriers of GOP Water are beginning to turn on the GOP — to wit: Hugh Hewitt. His interview with Jack Kingston?

Here is an actual unguarded opinion from the GOP, aimed directly at TEA Partiers, true Conservatives and various budget hawks. One GOP aide unloaded on the Conservatives, offering a more colorful view privately held by many other Republicans. From the DailyCaller:

These people aren’t thinking clearly. Their logic doesn’t pan out. They have NO plan. What concessions were they going to get if it failed? They were going to shut down the federal government over Planned Parenthood?” the source said, “It was totally reactionary. These people got elected to lead. Instead they got jerked around by the political equivalent of music critics. If these people knew anything about governing, they’d be in Congress, not lobbing bombs from the cheap seats and sending out fundraising emails.”

The aide offered contempt for Pence in particular. “Pence is running for governor, and has to get through a primary, so his position is about as genuine as a $10 Gucci hand bag on Sunset Boulevard.”

Mike Pence appeared on Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday, and revealed that he (Pence) is in the gunsights of the GOP for his defunding stances. 54 Republicans actually deigned to vote against the three week extension of the federal budget. At least some Republicans made a stand. But this stance infuriated Welded Republicans — who Have Theirs and want Theirs to be a continuing well-funded process.

Where are the Speaker and the Leader and the Whip? Where is their support of the various TEA Parties and Conservatives — who managed to PLACE GOP leadership back into the House come November?

George McClellan Republicans? Retreat – retreat – retreat?

The GOP “growing tired” of actual Conservatives?

Some veteran Republican House members are pushing back against conservative deficit hawks who are pushing for endlessly deep spending cuts, saying the right wing of the party is creating unnecessary divisions for the GOP majority.

While the 54 Republicans who voted against the most recent stopgap spending bill didn’t derail the legislation, some GOP lawmakers are becoming increasingly wary of a faction that rejects substantial spending cuts because they want deeper ones or the inclusion of divisive social policy riders.