Paying Our Fair Share of Highway Taxes [ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS]

[DAC17]

I generally agree with what you state here, but comparing the federal budget to a family budget is a common and mistaken one.

Unlike you and me, the goverment can borrow as much money as it wants, any time it wants. We can't. It has virtually unlimited credit. We also can't issue bonds and pay the bearers interest. The government's income streams are many. Ours are limited. We have to stay within our means, or try to. They do not. Thus, the budget comparison is a faulty one.

Everyone wants someone else to pay. If we all paid our fair share, that would be a positive development. People would not complain as much if they knew everybody else was paying their fair share.

Please explain further what you mean by "fair share". Many different views on that concept.

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[doogie63]

I totally agree that we spend too much money.

Just like purchasing a car, I think that people that borrow the entire amount many more times than not can't really afford it and they put most things on a credit card (just like the Government) and they are going down the same rabbit hole if you will.

I think if we raised taxes (not print more money) and made our society pay as we go, the spending problem would quickly be solved no different than if people couldn't borrow to the hilt on many of their purchases.

The Government (which is collectively is all of us) is not much different in many ways.

Just my two cents,
[/QUOTE

I have been saying for years that when they pass a new spending bill on something they should tell us the cost. Once pass they start right then taking extra money out of our checks to pay for it. When people feel the effects of the bill with their money they will put a stop to it. Say they want to send money to Ukraine. Ok next day start taking $10 a week out of everyone check. If you have a family then $10 for each person until the money is paid back. Once people see how much it will cost them they will make the politicians stop spending our money on wasteful things or vote them out. I seen one year they spent money on the effects of alcohol on Chinese prostitutes. Ok now everyone pays $5 a week until paid off. People would go crazy over wasted spending. https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-releases-2023-festivus-report-on-government-waste/. Example from his book. Some of the highlights include the National Institutes of Health spending a portion of a $2.7 million grant to study Russian cats walking on a treadmill and Barbies used as proof of ID for receiving COVID Paycheck Protection Program funds. The Department of Defense ruined over $169 million worth of military equipment by leaving it outside, the United States Agency for International Development spent $6 million to promote tourism in Egypt, and the Small Business Administration gave ‘struggling’ music artists like Post Malone, Chris Brown, and Lil Wayne over $200 million. And they wonder why we are $34 trillion in the hole. Because they spend money because it's not their money. They don't care. Taxpayers would not support Harley any of those spending items if they had to pay up front. They would vote all these people out of office. Politicians would stop using our money to buy votes. Because the other voters would vote them out of office

 

[doogie63]

We now spend more on interest on the debt then we do on the military. Another problem with our spending and racking up $34 trillion in debt. That money could be use for much more better stuff then interest. Homeless problem for one.

Federal spending on interest payments is forecast to hit $870 billion this year — exceeding the $822 billion that the nation will spend on defense in 2024

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

I pay $700+ a year for freaking registration vs around 200 for my minivan, so yeah I think I'm paying my fair share...

But you get to live in such a warm and tropical place.....Probably worth the extra cost......

? ? ?

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

We now spend more on interest on the debt then we do on the military. Another problem with our spending and racking up $34 trillion in debt. That money could be use for much more better stuff then interest. New Baseball Parks for one.

Federal spending on interest payments is forecast to hit $870 billion this year — exceeding the $822 billion that the nation will spend on defense in 2024

Please don't bring logic and common sense into this.....It's the internet!!!

 

[DennisD]

We now spend more on interest on the debt then we do on the military. Another problem with our spending and racking up $34 trillion in debt. That money could be use for much more better stuff then interest. Homeless problem for one.

Federal spending on interest payments is forecast to hit $870 billion this year — exceeding the $822 billion that the nation will spend on defense in 2024

Once again, I agree that the spending is out of control. The States budgets always end in zero debt because they pay as they go. The Federal should follow that philosophy.

There are two front to this:

1. Spending is too much
2. Collecting is too little

This is not sustainable and something has to give. Most household budgets can't operate this way and neither can most Governments.

The easy way out is to suggest we spend too much and leave it at that. I personally think we need to ramp up the collection of taxes so as not to pass it on to the younger generation. That is the hard part.

Pay down the debt and not worry about interest payments.

Now would anyone vote for a politician that stated that? No one has in my lifetime and I am 60 years old. Don't hold your breath for a solution anytime too soon.

 

[DennisD]

I generally agree with what you state here, but comparing the federal budget to a family budget is a common and mistaken one.

Unlike you and me, the goverment can borrow as much money as it wants, any time it wants. We can't. It has virtually unlimited credit. We also can't issue bonds and pay the bearers interest. The government's income streams are many. Ours are limited. We have to stay within our means, or try to. They do not. Thus, the budget comparison is a faulty one.

Everyone wants someone else to pay. If we all paid our fair share, that would be a positive development. People would not complain as much if they knew everybody else was paying their fair share.

I agree with you to a point.

We collectively choose our Government through voting. We share the responsibility. The "Government" isn't an outside entity that we can blame. It is we to blame, plain and simple.

Just like I think people outspend their personal budgets, the collective group that is known as the Government does the same exact thing (granted they have deeper pockets like you mentioned) but they both spend like drunken sailors at the end of the day. ?

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

People should not depend on government, and therefore cutting services people to depend on should not be a problem. And I dispute your assertion that cuts would be severe. Cut slowly, and gradually - wean people off dependence on the government. Easy. Not hard.

Paul Ryan (former Speaker of the House) won election and proposed a 15 year plan to get us out of massive debt. Can't remember when he left congress, however, it was apparent he felt like the chance of deficit reduction was not possible with this system. We need to get special interest/Lobbyist out of the Gov't. Have a much tighter rein on Senators and Congressman as they leave office. They should not be allowed to go across the river and influence their former colleagues. Is it really "We the People" anymore. I believe we had a small window in the 80's when there was a national surplus. Well, we are a F*** long way from that now. Too Bad, in that small window we did not pass a Balanced Budget Amendment......But what ever, have at it; kick that can down the road so our great-great grand kids can work for China, Japan or any other debt holder of the US "note".

 

[ArthurDOB]

People should not depend on government, and therefore cutting services people to depend on should not be a problem. And I dispute your assertion that cuts would be severe. Cut slowly, and gradually - wean people off dependence on the government. Easy. Not hard.

Taking this Federal Budget chart as an example. It's from '21 or '22, I think.

Mandatory spending must happen by law, and changing the law is the so-called "third rail" of politics. Setting that aside, cuts would have to be severe for the simple reason that services to "dependent" people make up a tiny fraction of the budget. Cutting all of them, while warming Libertarian hearts, still leaves a massive deficit. So there would necessarily have to be cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Services, Education, etc. People would be up in arms. They'd never tolerate it. Never mind all those in the defense industry. They'd be apoplectic. So, what else would you cut? Again, this is why governing is hard.

 

[DAC17]

Taking this Federal Budget chart as an example. It's from '21 or '22, I think.

Mandatory spending must happen by law, and changing the law is the so-called "third rail" of politics. Setting that aside, cuts would have to be severe for the simple reason that services to "dependent" people make up a tiny fraction of the budget. Cutting all of them, while warming Libertarian hearts, still leaves a massive deficit. So there would necessarily have to be cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Services, Education, etc. People would be up in arms. They'd never tolerate it. Never mind all those in the defense industry. They'd be apoplectic. So, what else would you cut? Again, this why governing is hard.

Perfectly said.

 

[ArthurDOB]

Please explain further what you mean by "fair share". Many different views on that concept.

Americans generally agree that the wealthiest should pay more taxes and that the poorest should pay little to no tax at all. Fairness would mean that your taxes would be reduced as income is reduced.

 

[RSF]

There have been some very insightful comments made on this topic. I think the majority of the people commenting agree this is a problem that needs to be worked out. But just like with people that cheat on their taxes, there are some people that don't have a problem letting their neighbors pick up the slack.

 

[ArthurDOB]

We now spend more on interest on the debt then we do on the military. Another problem with our spending and racking up $34 trillion in debt. That money could be use for much more better stuff then interest. Homeless problem for one.

Federal spending on interest payments is forecast to hit $870 billion this year — exceeding the $822 billion that the nation will spend on defense in 2024

Let's deal with actual numbers instead of predictions:
Defense 2023: $816 Billion
Debt Interest 2023: $659 Billion

 

[mkhuffman]

Because many states do incent buyers through tax credits, etc. I understand some states may be different.

So, it isn't a "fact".

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

Americans generally agree that the wealthiest should pay more taxes and that the poorest should pay little to no tax at all. Fairness would mean that your taxes would be reduced as income is reduced.

I disagree with your assertion!!! IMO, the only true "fair way" to assess taxes is if we have a Flat Tax. Everyone pays 15% no matter your income. That way your not penalized for working hard while watching your income pissed away on someone not as hardworking or smart as you.

You make 2 dollars and you owe 30 cents, you make 1 dollar you owe 15 cents.

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