Via The Hill:

The Obama administration has floated a transportation authorization bill that would require the study and implementation of a plan to tax automobile drivers based on how many miles they drive.

It’s called the Transportation Opportunities Act, which is very ironic because I’m not sure of one opportunity that this would provide for the middle class Obama seems to keen on assisting. If you think for half a second you’ll quickly realize that we pay gas taxes every time we fill up our cars. For example, this chart.

Yes, Connecticut, you’re already spending over $.70/gallon on taxes. In a 16 gallon tank, that’s $11.20 going to the government every time you fill up. This already serves the purpose of taxing people on how much they drive. No, it’s not as accurate as, say, monitoring the mileage of every vehicle and taxing them based on how much they actually drive. The logistics of implementing a system that tracks the mileage of every car owner to monitor road use are mind boggling, not to mention a direct infringement on the rights of drivers. They seem to know that Americans will not accept this sort of violation, which is why they’re ready to wage the PR campaign:

The administration seems to be aware of the need to prepare the public for what would likely be a controversial change to the way highway funds are collected. For example, the office is called on to serve a public-relations function, as the draft says it should “increase public awareness regarding the need for an alternative funding source for surface transportation programs and provide information on possible approaches.”

The administration is denying that it’s an official proposal, claiming that it isn’t so much a proposal as an early draft, and that it was never approved. What it feels like is a way for them to get people used to the idea and start warming us up to their intent.

It’s unwise to put anything past this administration in regards to raising taxes. It may seem far fetched, but it’s not necessarily a new tax idea, and has been floated at the state level in several states, including Illinois and North Carolina. They will likely cloak it in green and sell it as the responsibilty of the motorist to pay their “fair share”.

The question is, does the White House believe that everyone who owns a car is “rich”? It seems a little more than probable that the majority of motor vehicle owners fall well below President Obama’s $250k threshhold.

At this point, it appears our President is actively working to destroy the middle class he’s been preaching about rescuing.