Exxon/Mobile profit soars

[Ben Kenobi]

DanS:

BC's a good example. About 50 percent of the population can be well served by public transit, linking 2 million people with each other.

It may also be feasible from Vernon to Kelowna all the way to Penticton due to population density.

Everywhere else in the province is too sparsely populated.

With Alberta, Calgary and Edmonton with links within the cities, Winnipeg for Manitoba, and Most of southern Ontario and southern Quebec.

Everywhere else in Canada could not sustain adequate public transit.

[DanS]

70% of goods in the U.S. are transported in Big rigs

By weight/mile, it's more like 40%.

[Dinner]

This weeks time magazine puts the number at 70%; the highest ever and the lowest number for rail since records have been taken.

[Kidlicious]

The tax money could also be used to encourage the sale of more gas efficient cars. Just a higher tax in itself encourages this. I own a Honda Civic. I could really care less if the price of gas is $2/gallon or $3/gallon, because it will only cut into my disposible income by about $20-$30/month, but if I owned a gas gusler that could be maybe $50-$60/month. To encourage more sale of gas efficient cars there could be a tax rebate associated with the purchase of these cars.

[Dinner]

You raise the price of gas and the fat cats can afford to pay more but what about the single mom who's just barely making ends meet? she's now homeless because of your tax increase.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Oerdin
You raise the price of gas and the fat cats can afford to pay more but what about the single mom who's just barely making ends meet? she's now homeless because of your tax increase.

Nah, she can take the bus.

[Dinner]

Believe it or not the majority of people (I beleive) below the poverty line in the US live in rural areas or atleast alot of them live in rural areas. Like Obiwan said those areas can't support much of a mass transit system.

What does she do now?

[Ben Kenobi]

What BC does is tax SUV's, and offer tax rebates to improve the competitiveness of hybrid cars.

That way the poor souls driving cheap beaters are not penalised for driving.

[JohnT]

"Nah, she can take the bus."

Just a more frank and honest way of saying "spend it on public, mass transportation."

It's all in how you spin it, boys.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by obiwan18
What BC does is tax SUV's, and offer tax rebates to improve the competitiveness of hybrid cars.

That way the poor souls driving cheap beaters are not penalised for driving.

That actually sounds like a real solution. Either that or a cyclinder tax which taxes I4s less then I6, V-6, V-8 etc...

[DanS]

This weeks time magazine puts the number at 70%

Hmmm... You might be right. Maybe Adam Smith can set me straight.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Oerdin
Believe it or not the majority of people (I beleive) below the poverty line in the US live in rural areas or atleast alot of them live in rural areas. Like Obiwan said those areas can't support much of a mass transit system.

What does she do now?

Towns without public transportation are small enough to walk around or ride your bike. If she's disabled or something, maybe she should move.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by JohnT
"Nah, she can take the bus."

Just a more frank and honest way of saying "spend it on public, mass transportation."

It's all in how you spin it, boys.

True

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by obiwan18
What BC does is tax SUV's, and offer tax rebates to improve the competitiveness of hybrid cars.

That way the poor souls driving cheap beaters are not penalised for driving.

The problem is that most poor people drive around in cars that hog gas and cause more pollution. The tax credit to get them to buy these cars would have to be very significant, and it still might not work.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Oerdin


That actually sounds like a real solution. Either that or a cyclinder tax which taxes I4s less then I6, V-6, V-8 etc...

While I am usually against progressive taxes. This is one that I could support. Heavier vehicles cause more wear and tear. These are usually the vehicles with the larger engine size. Maybe a Gross Vehicle weight tax applied annually?