A Congestion Tax Will not Save the Planet
It's an election year in the United States. The politicians of both major political parties continue to outline their initiatives for their first Presidential term in office. Democratic candidate Barrack Obama outlines a long list of new spending promises under the slogan "Yes we can". Meanwhile, Republican John McCain wants to continue spending on the Iraq war well into the future. In the Congress, there is no desire to cut federal spending and the dubious practice of spending "earmarks" continues without any real reform.
Meanwhile, the United States federal debt is currently approaching 9.5 trillion dollars and it is about to get worse since the national unemployment rate is now rising. The federal debt burden already amounts to about $79,000 for each United States taxpayer. Therefore, the current federal debt, economic recession, Iraq war, and new election year campaign promises are a formula that amount to one thing for the average American taxpayer: higher income taxes.
However, it is not as though taxes are not high enough already. In 2008, Americans will work every day from New Year's Day through April 23, just to pay their taxes. It will take 74 working days to pay federal taxes and 39 additional working days to pay state and local taxes. Americans will spend more on taxes in 2008 than they will spend on their food, clothing, and housing expenses combined.
As both political parties in Washington D.C. contemplate raising income taxes in the next few years, there is a new and unique tax that is already under consideration in several large American cities. It is a tax already generating revenue in international cities like London, Milan, Stockholm, and Singapore. It is called the "Congestion Tax" and its implementation is feared by automotive commuters in major United States cities. The tax is based upon a vehicle entering a city or a designated area of the city. The tax is levied upon an automobile's entry into the designated zone.
London could be a model for the administration of the congestion tax in major United States cities. The congestion tax in London started with a commuter tax of eight dollars a car. That daily tax has recently doubled for small gas powered cars and large vehicles now pay a $50 Congestion Tax each day. London does not have tollbooths or barriers around the Congestion Charging Zone and no physical tickets or passes are required. Monitoring is done through a network of camera sites at every entrance and exit in the tax zone and within the zone. Each camera site consists of at least one color camera plus a monochrome camera for each lane of traffic being monitored. The camera's capture automobile license plate numbers and people are required to pay the tax based on the pictures.
The stated purpose of the congestion tax is to clean up the environment by reducing C02 emissions from automobiles stalled in traffic in heavily traveled, congested areas in large cities. The tax acts as an incentive for automobile users to utilize public transportation. The benefits of an increase in the use of public transportation would be to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion, and improve public health by reducing air pollution.
New York City is one of at least five United States cities considering the implementation of a congestion tax. The initial tax for automobile drivers entering the New York congestion zone would be over eight dollars each day. In addition, there is an additional incentive for New York City because of the promise of $354 million in grants from the Federal Government for creating a congestion zone.
Consider the implications of these federal grants for a moment if you will. A taxpayer pays federal income taxes and the government uses that tax money as an incentive for local city governments to initiate an additional tax burden on automobile drivers in order to solve local traffic bottlenecks. It certainly becomes problematic for a taxpayer when federal income taxes are used as a financial incentive for cities to create new local fee based taxes.
In fact, a congestion tax may have dubious ramifications to local business and city employment. What the congestion tax will do is drive local business away from the inner cities into the suburbs where commuting workers and business customers do not have to pay a traffic tax . In addition, cab fares in large cities will have to increase in order for a passenger cab to enter a congestion zone.
Indeed, it is not been scientifically proven that long term global warming is man-made and the result of increased CO2 in the atmosphere. Consider that the planet's recent warming is likely a result of the long term solar cycle of the Sun. In reality, the Congestion Tax is really a tax wolf in environmental sheep's clothing. The truth is that it's just another unnecessary tax burden on the worker and retail consumer that will not save the planet from global warming.
Related Tags: new york city, automobile, london, politics, air pollution, public health, congestion tax
James William Smith has worked in Senior management positions for some of the largest Financial Services firms in the United States for the last twenty five years. He has also provided business consulting support for insurance organizations and start up businesses. Visit his website at http://www.eWorldvu.com
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Web Traffic Articles - Where Do I Submit Articles?
When it comes to article marketing, the questions I see the most revolves around submitting articles - Free Web Resources Articles - PPC Marketing Great Tips
Google Pay Per click Marketing HelpIf you are struggling with a Pay Per Click (PPC) campaign, no mat - Free Web Resources Articles - My Overview on Ottawa Restaurants
After years of waning sales and diminished foot traffic, family dining is on the brink of a resurgen - Free Web Resources Articles - Ottawa Restaurants - My Overview
After years of waning sales and diminished foot traffic, family dining is on the brink of a resurgen - Find Singles Online at Total Free Internet Dating Websites
Finding a long-term compatible relationship is only at free online dating services. You know e - Some of the are Righteous and Some are Wicked
Many people do not know Allah. This series (1-78) is an attempt to help them to know their Creator. - EBooks, Sensation of the woman
VERY LITTLE REMAINS WOMEN. THERE WERE SEXUALLY FOCUSED INDIVIDUALS - SEXIN`S. FOCUSED ON CARE - Why Had Allah Commanded the Israelites to Prostrate?
Many people do not know Allah. This series (1-75) is an attempt to help them to know their Creator. - How Come That Hezekiah of the Bible is Ezekias Too?
This is a new series (1-9) of Verse No. in the Bible versus the Quran. Verse No. 9 in the Old Testa - Moses Said to Allah: You are our Protector, Looking After our Affairs
Many people do not know Allah. This series (1-73) is an attempt to help them to know their Creator.
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Household Twilight Zone
You've heard of trying to find a needle in a haystack? Housekeepers all over the planet encounter si - Free Internet Games
The internet is becoming more and more popular and thousands of people become new users every day. - Red Wine Might Help Fight Obesity
One of the most interesting findings of the researchers regarding the qualities of red wine is the b - Terrific Tips for Parents Who Want to Teach Their Child a Second Language
You realize the benefits of having a second language but do not know where to turn or how to begin t - Making Your Fortune With The Public Domain
Did you know that you could boost your income or even create an income just by utilizing the public - Stair Elevator : Use Anywhere
Stairs are an essential aspect of departmental stores, malls, apartment and office buildings, airpor - Putting the Permanent Press on Laundry Day
Contrary to popular teen perception, parents don't like to rag endlessly. It's just a necessity due - Free Wedding Speech: 7 Tips For Writing Your Own Free Wedding Speech
These free wedding speech writing do's and don'ts can be used for writing personal free wedding spee - Free NFL Jersey for an Email Address - Fact or Fiction?
Most of us have seen the offers for free NFL jerseys - and many other items such as Apple iPods - in - Christmas Decorations to Light Up your Holidays
In the bleak cold days of winter, Christmas comes alive with the jingling bells, twinkling lights an