SUVs should be heavily taxed

[Anonymous]

Of course in any rational system you would tax SUVs more to take into account the negative externalities (environmental, safety etc).

But don't expect rational policy-making in this country, because it is not going to happen. This is a nation where Sarah Palin is considered a valid choice for President by almost half the population.

[Anonymous]

Now OP if you were considering a tax on MD drivers who speed through our DC streets I'd be all for it!

[Anonymous]

How about just increasing the tax on retail gasoline? Pay at the pump. That will hit heavy gasoline-consuming vehicles the hardest, less hard for light vehicles, and zero for those who ride bikes or take public transit.

BTW, I'm very curious about the political persuasion of the people posting here. Are the any anti-tax conservatives who are arguing for a tax on SUVs? Or is it all progressives/liberals?

[Anonymous]

I'm with you. This is totally rational.

It is also totally rational to tax people for the size of their families. Seriously, who puts "more strain" on the infastructure of a city? That's right! Humans. If you make more humans that use the roads, the water pipes, the city buses, the bridges and the school system, then it makes sense to charge those parents who make more humans. If you make more humans, then you're necessarily going to make more automobile or public transportation trips in your lifetime than the family that makes fewer humans.

Look, it's really the logical conclusion of this argument. Ok, it's anathema to the freedom of self-determination in the U.S. of A, yes. But it's also very much the logical extension of this line of argument.

But what about taxing based on size, weight and emissions seems unfair or unreasonable to you? You are taxing this vehicle based on its consumption of tax dollars - an SUV is going to put more wear and tear on the roads, for example. An SUV is going to generate more pollution which, I seem to recall, affects the region's eligibility for federal tax dollars for roads. So just like being taxed on the size of your home, the size of your income, the size of your land, you are taxed on the size of your car. What's the problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every morning I have to shift my little car (with two kids fitting just fine inside) into driveway entrances or move at 2 miles and hour on Macomb and Woodley, just to make sure the gigantic gas guzzling SUVs that pass by don't take off my side mirror.

You don't need an SUV for 2 kids. If you have 3 kids and lacrosse equipment, fine: you can pay a heavy heavy heavy tax on your large car, and because you have such great need for this enormous tank, you will probably find it still makes sense for you. Good, pay away and you can have it.

Just like smoke affects others in restaurants, your gigantic car affects others on the road. You spew out more pollution, other drivers can't see more than your backside in front of them (if there were an accident 3 cars in front of me, I would never know with your gigantic view blocking monster truck in front of me), you take up more than your spot in the parking lot, and you make it difficult for everyone else to drive down small streets. You should pay more for taking up more of the road, regardless of whether you need it.

Cigarettes are now $8 a pack. I say there should be a $10,000 tax on owning an SUV.

People like you who waste air complaining about what other people decide to drive should be taxed just for being alive. Take your prius and shove it up your ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every morning I have to shift my little car (with two kids fitting just fine inside) into driveway entrances or move at 2 miles and hour on Macomb and Woodley, just to make sure the gigantic gas guzzling SUVs that pass by don't take off my side mirror.

You don't need an SUV for 2 kids. If you have 3 kids and lacrosse equipment, fine: you can pay a heavy heavy heavy tax on your large car, and because you have such great need for this enormous tank, you will probably find it still makes sense for you. Good, pay away and you can have it.

Just like smoke affects others in restaurants, your gigantic car affects others on the road. You spew out more pollution, other drivers can't see more than your backside in front of them (if there were an accident 3 cars in front of me, I would never know with your gigantic view blocking monster truck in front of me), you take up more than your spot in the parking lot, and you make it difficult for everyone else to drive down small streets. You should pay more for taking up more of the road, regardless of whether you need it.

Cigarettes are now $8 a pack. I say there should be a $10,000 tax on owning an SUV.

People like you who waste air complaining about what other people decide to drive should be taxed just for being alive. Take your prius and shove it up your ass.

GOLF CLAP!!

[Anonymous]

OP, why don't you go all green and walk down your road instead of drive?

Don't you ever drive a carpool? Drive out of town family members around? Is it always just three or four of you in a vehicle?

[Anonymous]

SUVs are more than just gas guzzlers. They take up more space. There should be a tax to discourage people from buying cars that are enormous (even hybrid enormous). Our roads are not meant for what are essentially trucks.

I say either (1) have a weight/size tax on the car (and make it big), or (2) don't allow SUVs on city streets.

All these tea party people live in places like Wyoming. You can afford to say, "Leave me the hell alone!" in Wyoming. I just want to be able to drive down my damn street.

And from what I can see, the only people driving SUVs are middle aged moms, who after dropping off their kids, spend the rest of the day driving their lonely asses from one store to another in a truck sized vehicle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SUVs are more than just gas guzzlers. They take up more space. There should be a tax to discourage people from buying cars that are enormous (even hybrid enormous). Our roads are not meant for what are essentially trucks.

I say either (1) have a weight/size tax on the car (and make it big), or (2) don't allow SUVs on city streets.

All these tea party people live in places like Wyoming. You can afford to say, "Leave me the hell alone!" in Wyoming. I just want to be able to drive down my damn street.

And from what I can see, the only people driving SUVs are middle aged moms, who after dropping off their kids, spend the rest of the day driving their lonely asses from one store to another in a truck sized vehicle.

Well then I hope you practice what you preach by not having anything delivered to your home or business via UPS or FedEx. This city would come to a halt if there were no trucks allowed. You sound silly.

[Anonymous]

I find it amazing that this left-wing site is so against taxing SUVs. I guess if it hits one's own pocketbook, integrity goes out the window.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are ridiculous. We have two vehicles, a small SUV and a Prius. Did I just make your head explode?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Sure, but the logical extension of that is to tax all car owners, as opposed to people who bike, walk or take metro. Also, people who carpool in their SUV or van should get a tax break for the amount of cars they are taking off the road. In my opinion, it's never ending, but if you can come up with a system that takes all of that into account, I'd be all for it.

That's fine with me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SUVs are more than just gas guzzlers. They take up more space. There should be a tax to discourage people from buying cars that are enormous (even hybrid enormous). Our roads are not meant for what are essentially trucks.

I say either (1) have a weight/size tax on the car (and make it big), or (2) don't allow SUVs on city streets.

All these tea party people live in places like Wyoming. You can afford to say, "Leave me the hell alone!" in Wyoming. I just want to be able to drive down my damn street.

And from what I can see, the only people driving SUVs are middle aged moms, who after dropping off their kids, spend the rest of the day driving their lonely asses from one store to another in a truck sized vehicle.

I hope you realize, also, that people that live in the city that only bike or metro say the same about you in your car. You should be taxed heavily for living in a city and even owning a car. All parts of the city can be accessed by walking, bus, bike or metro. Why do you even own a car? You're contributing to the very problem you're complaining about!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SUVs are more than just gas guzzlers. They take up more space. There should be a tax to discourage people from buying cars that are enormous (even hybrid enormous). Our roads are not meant for what are essentially trucks.

I say either (1) have a weight/size tax on the car (and make it big), or (2) don't allow SUVs on city streets.

All these tea party people live in places like Wyoming. You can afford to say, "Leave me the hell alone!" in Wyoming. I just want to be able to drive down my damn street.

And from what I can see, the only people driving SUVs are middle aged moms, who after dropping off their kids, spend the rest of the day driving their lonely asses from one store to another in a truck sized vehicle.

Well then I hope you practice what you preach by not having anything delivered to your home or business via UPS or FedEx. This city would come to a halt if there were no trucks allowed. You sound silly.

Don't compare personal use SUVs with a commercial deliver vehicle. We don't have UPS/FedEx truck being driven by every other household in the neighborhood. In the exurbs, make it every household.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are ridiculous. We have two vehicles, a small SUV and a Prius. Did I just make your head explode?

When OP said SUV, I pictured a Suburban, not a mini-SUV. Look at the big picture, sweetheart.