Higher Taxes for SUV Owners?
by Judd WileyMay 11th, 2008, 5:58 pm
A majority of people in California think the government should levy higher taxes on anyone driving a “gas-guzzling car,” i.e. an SUV.
- 63% want to double the vehicle registration fee, charging higher rates for “polluting vehicles,” and lower rates for “clean vehicles.”
- 65% support a “tax and rebate system” that refunds up to $1,000 for cleaner cars while taxing an additional $2,000 for higher-polluting ones.
- 50% would like a “vehicle mileage fee” that charges a higher rate per mile for gas-guzzlers.
Remember: California already charges registration and license fees, along with gas taxes.
And in case you didn’t realize this, the phrase “gas-guzzling car” is a completely subjective phrase, since the word “guzzle” means “to drink greedily or habitually” which can mean whatever you want it to mean.
Let me give you an example.
I own an SUV but only drive it 1-2 days per week. I fill up its 20 gallon tank about once every 2 weeks. That equals 520 gallons per year. On the other hand, my friend owns a Toyota Prius and drives it every day to work. He fills up its 12 gallon tank once a week. That equals 624 gallons per year.
Why should I be charged an extra $2,000 and be forced to pay higher registration and mileage fees, when my total consumption of gasoline is less than my Prius-driving friend? His carbon footprint is 104 gallons more than me!
Plus, what is it the government’s business anyway if I want to own an SUV and drive it all over the place and be a man-hog?
Doesn’t the Constitution guarantee “equal protection” under the law? Why should I be taxed at a higher rate than someone else, because that other person doesn’t like my personal lifestyle choices?
You know what, this makes me really freaking mad. To cool myself down, I’m going to turn on my SUV and let it sit in my parking lot for 10 minutes, needlessly expelling carbon emissions into the atmosphere. I’m going to decrease the life of the planet for my own amusement.
How do you like that, California?
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Posted in Environmentalism, Sport Utility Vehicles, Uncategorized Rage |
I say, tax the crap out of SUV owners!
I’m sick of them hogging parking spaces and blocking my field of vision at intersections - not to mention the added danger that their added weight and height poses for other, more modest, vehicles on the road.
Paul C you are a retard. By your logic you should be taxing the crap out of trucks and vans too. You are against SUVs because you simply don’t like them.
I’m against SUV’s because they are wasteful behemoths.
And as far as being retarded, given that it’s nearing a $100 to fillup an SUV, it’s the owners of these Humpers, Land Hoovers, Land Bruisers, Naggravators, Path Grinders, and the like that are the true ‘tards!
Paul C -
Suvgrrl makes a good point. What business is it of the government to levy an extra tax on SUVs, simply because some people don’t like their size, weight, height, etc.?
If your answer is carbon emissions/global warming/gas usage, I refer you back to my post. Why should I get taxed more as an SUV-owner, when my Prius-driving friend has a larger carbon footprint than me?
Am interested in your opinion here, thanks for your comments.
-Judd
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What business is it of the government to levy an extra tax on SUVs, simply because some people don’t like their size, weight, height, etc.?
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It’s precisely because they are size/weight/height etc.
No one lives in a bubble, and your choices effect me, whether you’ll admit it or not.
Unnecessarily large, heavy personal vehicles, put higher strains on infrastructure, cause more catastrophic damage in accidents, and because they waste more fuel to cover the same distance, they drive the cost of gasoline/diesel up for ALL of us.
define “wasteful”? What do u mean by that? More steel? More glass? More rubber? More gas?
Do u think we should be allowed to buy 1 car and thats it? and it should use the same amount of matereil as other cars…..
Oh and BTW - “Humpers, Land Hoovers, Land Bruisers, Naggravators, Path Grinders” wow,did you come up with all of that yourself?
You are clearly a follower who cant thin k for yourself
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You are clearly a follower who cant thin k for yourself
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And you’re clearly a foolish person who cannot have a debate without personal attacks.
Ohh, and BTW…
Given that 2/3rds of Californians seem to support the taxing of fuel squanderers, I have to ask:
Why do you hate democracy?
Okay fine. But why should I get taxed as an SUV-owner when my Prius-driving friend who (A) drives more than me, (B) uses more gas than me, and (C) puts a higher strain on infrastructure than me?
You are saying that if I drive 1-2 days per week in an SUV, I should be taxed at a higher rate than someone who drives 7 days per week in a Prius, simply because my Jeep is bigger, heavier, and taller, and you don’t like that.
Your argument is illogical.
That is not what we do here at Commuter Outrage. We don’t throw out emotional, illogical, unproven, unoriginal arguments.
You’re right Judd.
It should be based on a formula that takes into account annual mileage, and vehicle weight.
All of this is moot, of course. Because gasoline prices are only going to continue their march northward, and SUV sales have already ‘tanked’, and will continue to do so.
Yipppee! I win either way!
So what if calfiornians want high taxes for suvs…OMG what about slavery? 100s of yrs ago most people wanted that too!!!!!!!
Slavery went against the Bill of Rights.
There’s nothing in the Constitution about you having the protected right to waste resources.
I guess I wouldn’t loathe SUV’s so much if they had to live up to the CAFE standards of your typical passenger car. But they don’t (thanks to lobbying by the lazy, uninventive, Detroit car makers).
I agree with Paul - to hell with those SUV owners. All they do is destroy the environment and clog the roads. Its all a bunch of stupid soccer moms anyway.
I think we should tax the hell out of them all. With Global warming, anyone who isn’t driving a hybrid is crazy and should be tried for treason.
Even hybrids aren’t enough though. We need alternative energies and more mass transit.
what are CAFE standards?
You’re just angry that you can’t afford a suv like the rest of us
First of all - shut up, suvgrrl. You are completely useless in this conversation, since you clearly have nothing to say.
Now on to the arguments made by Paul C. and J_in_CA08.
CAFE standards - Enacted in 1975, led to smaller cars, which unfortunately, led to more highway deaths. Why? People don’t survive car crashes as much when they’re driving in smaller cars. In 2001, the National Academy of Sciences said that CAFE standards contributed to between 1,300 and 2,600 traffic deaths each year, with 10 times the number of serious injuries. There are other studies too.
Environment/Global Warming - Well, this could become a very long conversation. Bottom line: Fluctuations in the Earth’s temperature are likely caused by the sun, and until it’s proven otherwise, I refuse to decrease my standard of living or pay higher taxes.
Alternative Energies - I am definitely in favor of alternatives to gas, the primary alternative being nuclear energy. There should be nuclear power plants all over the country. Cheap, clean, efficient. But Chernobyl and Three Mile Island has led to wussification.
Mass Transit - I completely agree. Build more mass transit. Shift resources from entitlement programs and other wasteful government spending. But do not raise taxes.
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You’re just angry that you can’t afford a suv like the rest of us
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It’s the $100/wk in gasoline, that I can’t afford!
SUV’s (especially used ones) are getting as cheap as dirt, thanks to consumer demand shriveling up like a dead dingo’s donger.
Folks,
Seems to me that Paul C. is a rather thoughful soul. Kind, slightly effeminate, cares about the enviornment. Although SUVGRRL does not seem to like him. She’s a bit too harsh for no reason. Wouldn’t you agree?
I am rather curious about who Paul C. really is? What does Paul C. dream of? What are Paul C.’s hopes and fears? Tell us Paul C!! Tell Us G-d Damn it!
I think we all know that Paul C. tucks his shirt into his underwear. Why? That’s a good question…..
It’s probably because Paul C. never got laid very much. And that’s okay Paul C. Everyone in this world plays a part. Every garbage man is important to the social fabric of our society.
Paul C, you likely lead a life of general frustration. Probably because you did not go to the college of your choice, and had to settle for a job that you could get but did not want. I don’t imagine that your same sex partner is much to look at either. But that’s OK Paul C! It’s not your fault!
Which is why I am so greatfull for folks like you Paul C. Because if there weren’t loosers like you, there could never be winners like me.
G-d Bless,
Mr. Kaag.
yeha id never go out with him
Guys, please tone down the abusiveness. It’s not necessary.
But Paul C. - I write a point-by-point response to your arguments, and I get no response?????
SUV owners do pay higher taxes, and in multiple ways:
1. The more gasoline you consume, the more gasoline taxes you pay. The driver of a 2008 Ford Explorer will pay 59% higher in Federal gasoline taxes in an average year than his 2008 Honda Accord-driving neighbor
2. The more expensive your car, the more expensive it is to a) register, and b) insure. Both of these are functions of the cost of the vehicle, and with the exception of some hybrids, new SUVs still cost more on average than new compacts and sedans. With auto insurance, the expected damage and bodily harm caused by your vehicle in the event of an accident are factored into the premium, and as SUVs are associated with higher expectations for both, they pay higher premiums for the same coverage.
Do you all know what Equal Protection means…?
You are a class of people that drives an SUV as opposed to other classes of people who do not drive SUVs. You are not a suspect class (as opposed to race or nationality). The reason for a difference in your respective tax rates must only pass a Rational Basis review. Does the Government have a ‘Rational Basis’ to tax SUV owners a higher rate than non-SUV owners?
That is the question.
(’A’ in Con Law.. currently in Federal Income Taxation.. was doing research for a problem that I’m working on and stumbled upon this blog.. carry on with the useless bickering.)