Ohio: Thoughts on Midwest High Speed Rail? (public schools, subsidized)

[Dayton Sux]

It would be useless to me. I could see it as an alternative to short-hop air travel, perhaps. But I dont see the benefit, honestly.

[hensleya1]

Originally Posted by JR_C

Easy! Redirect some of the money non-users, like me, are "forced" to pay for roads, to alternate forms of transportation, like rail.

Hi JR_C--

The problem with your statement is that the number one source of road construction and maintenance is gasoline taxes - which is only paid by one class of people, and that's whoever buys gasoline to... ahem, use the roads.

Now you could fairly state that gas taxes haven't kept up with the increasing demand to build and upgrade roads - and I would have no problem bringing gas taxes in line with the demand for roads (if they were used for roads and only roads).

But I don't see, short of the gas tax shortfall, how non-users are "forced" to pay for roads.

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by hensleya1

Hi JR_C--

The problem with your statement is that the number one source of road construction and maintenance is gasoline taxes - which is only paid by one class of people, and that's whoever buys gasoline to... ahem, use the roads.

Now you could fairly state that gas taxes haven't kept up with the increasing demand to build and upgrade roads - and I would have no problem bringing gas taxes in line with the demand for roads (if they were used for roads and only roads).

But I don't see, short of the gas tax shortfall, how non-users are "forced" to pay for roads.

User-fees (gas taxes, registration fees, etc.) only cover about 60% of the total cost of our roads, in Ohio. Therefore, 40% of the cost of our roads come from other sources.

[hensleya1]

Originally Posted by JR_C

User-fees (gas taxes, registration fees, etc.) only cover about 60% of the total cost of our roads, in Ohio. Therefore, 40% of the cost of our roads come from other sources.

Hi JR_C--

And I would have no problem with bringing gas taxes in line with current demand, even though it probably means a 20-30 cent increase in prices at the pump.

If I had some sort of assurance that the powers that be wouldn't siphon the funds elsewhere.

Such as streetcars.

[Townes Van Zandt]

Originally Posted by Cleverfield

It's called a vote and a tax.

What if I won't use the train? Then I don't have to pay for it, right?

If you answered in the negative to the second question, there is a word for that: theft.

When there is demand for a passenger train within Ohio, the private sector will provide it[provided the government isn't preventing it via regulations, etc]. Until then, you're just asking one segment of society to pay for a luxury that another segment of society wants.

If it requires government subsidies to survive, it isn't necessary.

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by hensleya1

Hi JR_C--

And I would have no problem with bringing gas taxes in line with current demand, even though it probably means a 20-30 cent increase in prices at the pump.

If I had some sort of assurance that the powers that be wouldn't siphon the funds elsewhere.

Such as streetcars.

Raising gas taxes so that they come closer to covering the cost of roads would free up other revenue to pay for things like rail infrastructure.

Originally Posted by ksu sucks

What if I won't use the train? Then I don't have to pay for it, right?

If you answered in the negative to the second question, there is a word for that: theft.

When there is demand for a passenger train within Ohio, the private sector will provide it[provided the government isn't preventing it via regulations, etc]. Until then, you're just asking one segment of society to pay for a luxury that another segment of society wants.

If it requires government subsidies to survive, it isn't necessary.

Schools, libraries, roads, etc. aren't necessary?

[Cleverfield]

Originally Posted by ksu sucks

What if I won't use the train? Then I don't have to pay for it, right?

If you answered in the negative to the second question, there is a word for that: theft.

No, there is a word for that, but it's not theft it's democracy. In democracy, majority rules bub. And if the majority vote in favor of a tax supporting a train, you have to pay it regardless of whether you use it or not. Welcome to America, if you don't like it, you're free to leave.

[Townes Van Zandt]

Originally Posted by JR_C

Schools, libraries, roads, etc. aren't necessary?

Your first mistake: you assume that these things must be provided by the state.

Try again.

[bjimmy24]

I have no desire to live in this libertarian utopia of yours. It sounds like a nightmare to me. But for you, just realize that it's a pipe dream, bro.

[Townes Van Zandt]

Originally Posted by Cleverfield

No, there is a word for that, but it's not theft it's democracy.

LOL. This is the best response I've ever received.

Originally Posted by Cleverfield

Welcome to America, if you don't like it, you're free to leave.

Well, HOWWWW---DY! 'Murica is in the building, everyone.