[PonchoV8]

States and utilities condemn property all the time. They mostly negotiate easement or right of way, but if you don't want to sign you're going through condemnation. The job is already drawn. They know where it's going to go. Anyone in the way has to move aside or else.
If some corporation can promise more taxes, you're in the way and will have to step aside--or else.

[U47]

Originally Posted by PonchoV8

So if the government spends money on it I should be forced to pay. The government likes your thinking since it benefits them.
Sidewalks are also part of the roadway. I know this because it's part of my job. People are using the sidewalk without paying the tax. They're walking in the street when there is no sidewalk or when they cross. Be careful what you ask for in the way of taxation expansion. You'll get it.

I'm also a motorist. I paid already. Double. I have 4 registered vehicles and 3 are trucks that get 10-14 mpg. I wasn't given the option of having bike lanes in my town and they aren't anywhere near me for my use. It was intrusive government that made them, and you say I should have to pay for them. You know where bike lanes are in my town? In the poorest community where the bulk of the minorities live. Is it a good idea to allow them a flexibility by removing an obstacle to get to work by providing a bike lane? Also, parking is an issue in all down towns. Cars idling in traffic at the hundreds of traffic lights, and then driving around block after block looking for a place to park is adding congestion, hindering productivity, adding noise and air pollution and is dangerous to pedestrians.


And the Social Security tax was supposed to be for Social Security. It's been spent on wars, and bike lanes I guess.



But you're in favor of placing more power in the hands of government by granting them dominion over all forms of conveyance along roads by making bikers pay taxes. A drip at a time.

My town has discovered that the federal government along with state government will fund "Greenways", a paved pathway where people are encouraged to walk, bike, skate, run. We've install miles and miles of them. They're commonly along roadway or railroad right-of-way. I love them. You gotta look at the size of the people in America too. Encouraging people to use them is encouraging exercise. I believe 1 in 3 or 4 is obese in America? Maybe we could tax fat?

First, all I'm saying is IF the government (not that I want it because I don't) has determined bike signs and bike lanes have to be there the person riding the bike should pay for it.
As far as Social Security goes, yes the money was taken from the SS trust fund and is used in the general fund. If I had my way just let me manage my own money and I would have made that money provide a far greater return than I will ever see from Social Security. I'm not a Socialist you see, but all of us are being forced to be socialist by law just like this new health care law. So I'm not as you can see in favor of putting more power in the hands of government, but getting back to bike lanes if you have to tax it, it should be taxed as a user fee. Meaning if you use it you pay for it's creation and maintenance and if I don't use it don't FORCE me to pay for your way.
As far as sidewalks go, where I live sidewalks are put in by a homeowner, or a business who wants to build on a certain piece of property, and if it's a business sometimes much more than the frontage of that property...mind you the sidewalk is on public property! Now how fair is that?? Now here is the real mind bender, someone trips and falls and breaks a leg or arm on this PUBLIC sidewalk that YOU were forced to install and YOU-not the city gets sued. See what Socialism and the nanny state has done to us. Just a FYI if nobody builds on that empty piece of property there is no sidewalk. Try tripping over that thought on your non sidewalk.

[arrowem]

I think we should all drive our Pontiacs more to offset the less gas used be electrics/hybrids

[PonchoV8]

Originally Posted by U47

First, all I'm saying is IF the government (not that I want it because I don't) has determined bike signs and bike lanes have to be there the person riding the bike should pay for it.
As far as Social Security goes, yes the money was taken from the SS trust fund and is used in the general fund. If I had my way just let me manage my own money and I would have made that money provide a far greater return than I will ever see from Social Security. I'm not a Socialist you see, but all of us are being forced to be socialist by law just like this new health care law. So I'm not as you can see in favor of putting more power in the hands of government, but getting back to bike lanes if you have to tax it, it should be taxed as a user fee. Meaning if you use it you pay for it's creation and maintenance and if I don't use it don't FORCE me to pay for your way.
As far as sidewalks go, where I live sidewalks are put in by a homeowner, or a business who wants to build on a certain piece of property, and if it's a business sometimes much more than the frontage of that property...mind you the sidewalk is on public property! Now how fair is that?? Now here is the real mind bender, someone trips and falls and breaks a leg or arm on this PUBLIC sidewalk that YOU were forced to install and YOU-not the city gets sued. See what Socialism and the nanny state has done to us. Just a FYI if nobody builds on that empty piece of property there is no sidewalk. Try tripping over that thought on your non sidewalk.

(1) I DO pay. I pay city and county taxes on 4 pieces of property. It's not just the gas tax that pays for paving and road maintenance.
(2) There are pedestrian signs and very expensive crossing lights all over this city. Walkers, runners and wheelchair(er)s don't pay an extra tax for access.
(3) If you're in favor of charging bikers extra taxes/fees for access to public streets, you're in favor of expanding the tax system and increasing government reach. There is no other explanation. And again, I don't have bike lanes anywhere near me. I don't have signs anywhere near me. I have to ride in the street or illegally on the sidewalk when it's available. I have Greenways for a couple of miles to and from work I can use, but mostly it's the street/sidewalk.
(4) I pay heavily for things I don't use. I don't have kids and I have to pay for other people's public education. I'd LOVE to have a choice for a PAY AS YOU GO system of taxation. I'd save thousands. Or I should have access to the kid's labor to cut my grass or perhaps the parents labor. Every year the school board wants more money from me. Sixty-6 percent of our state revenue goes to public education.

[Bob Dillon]

Originally Posted by Mr_GTO

Same here in MA. Our MA Pike tolls were supposed to be removed years ago after the pike was done. But now the tolls are paying for the Big Dig and to dig the T out of debt.

Tolls last forever. When the Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937, it was financed with State bonds, and the tolls were supposed to go away in 1957, when the bonds were retired.

It's now 2012, 55 years after the payoff, and the toll is still there and is now $6.

[gtos4ever]

Originally Posted by Bob Dillon

Tolls last forever. When the Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937, it was financed with State bonds, and the tolls were supposed to go away in 1957, when the bonds were retired.

It's now 2012, 55 years after the payoff, and the toll is still there and is now $6.

Only on the outbound lanes, and it would be worth it at twice the price to get out.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by bdk1976

I'm more concerned about the government subsidizing electric cars than I am with the lost gas taxes. Get rid of the subsidies and the problem you're worried about will go away (or at least be delayed until the technology to make these cars economically feasible is here).

WELL SAID!
Nancy pelosi been pushing a miles tax ( for everyone except her).
if the current admnin continues in the white house, we will have mandated mileage too on ANY car we have, probably 25 minimum......
the EPA is running free now, forcing the closure of about 300 Coal fired electric plants, so the cost to charge a electric car is gonna be huge, let along even living....
Wake up Americans!