License plate cameras track millions of Americans

[Barrister]

Well, now there are ideas to put tracking on cars to record mileage for collecting road use taxes. Since as cars have become more efficient, we're using a lot less gas so gas taxes may not keep up.

It makes a certain amount of sense.  At one point I had two vehicles - my then new truck, and my older car.  I liked using my car for work because it was so much cheaper on gas.  But despite the fact I wasn't driving any more than I was before, I now had to pay double for vehicle registration and insurance.

[KRonn]

Well, now there are ideas to put tracking on cars to record mileage for collecting road use taxes. Since as cars have become more efficient, we're using a lot less gas so gas taxes may not keep up.

It makes a certain amount of sense.  At one point I had two vehicles - my then new truck, and my older car.  I liked using my car for work because it was so much cheaper on gas.  But despite the fact I wasn't driving any more than I was before, I now had to pay double for vehicle registration and insurance.

I know, it does make some sense. Also, figure the person who pays more for a hybrid car, only to find that they're going to be taxed the same as a gas user anyway. Or I assume it'd work that way since they're on the roads same as a gas auto.

As for hybrid cars, it would seem they'll become less desirable/useful as cars get so much better gas mileage now and in the near future. Even small SUVs now get into the 30s mpg highway, and many types of cars get well into the 30s and into the 40s.

[Neil]

Well, now there are ideas to put tracking on cars to record mileage for collecting road use taxes. Since as cars have become more efficient, we're using a lot less gas so gas taxes may not keep up.

It makes a certain amount of sense.  At one point I had two vehicles - my then new truck, and my older car.  I liked using my car for work because it was so much cheaper on gas.  But despite the fact I wasn't driving any more than I was before, I now had to pay double for vehicle registration and insurance.

I know, it does make some sense. Also, figure the person who pays more for a hybrid car, only to find that they're going to be taxed the same as a gas user anyway. Or I assume it'd work that way since they're on the roads same as a gas auto.

As for hybrid cars, it would seem they'll become less desirable/useful as cars get so much better gas mileage now and in the near future. Even small SUVs now get into the 30s mpg highway, and many types of cars get well into the 30s and into the 40s.

The gas taxes are for gas.  The road use taxes are to maintain the roads, which the hybrid user uses every bit as much as the normal car user.

[DGuller]

My bar admission is also a necessity for me to make a living, but it comes with all kinds of very invasive regulations as well.

Very appropriate analogy.

[The Brain]

DGuller, why don't you go home to Soviet Russia if you want a 1984-ish police state so much?

[Razgovory]

Maybe I would have fit in that profession better then I thought.

Nah, you would've gotten very frustrated very quickly.  It's kinda like working with Languish, but instead of putting you on "ignore", they'd just put your Signal 13 button response on "ignore" instead.  Not fun.

I was actually more concerned about standing around every other weekend watching them pull pieces of people out of wreckage, responding to domestic abuse calls where girlfriends, wives and children scream at you for dragging off their abuser, seeing decent people fuck themselves over on drugs that kind of thing.  I saw some of this and came to the conclusion it would quickly grind you down.  Maybe I just rode along on the wrong nights, but found the whole thing very depressing.  Probably for the best, I was already losing it anyway.

[The Brain]

Cops would have been a great show if they sometimes shot in rich neighborhoods. Watching Johnny Trustfund disgrace his Mayflowerian family is a lot more hilarious than watching some dirt poor drug dude get arrested the third time that week.

[Jacob]

Cops would have been a great show if they sometimes shot in rich neighborhoods. Watching Johnny Trustfund disgrace his Mayflowerian family is a lot more hilarious than watching some dirt poor drug dude get arrested the third time that week.

Johnny Trustfund's family has way better access to lawyers, which would make it inconvenient and/or expensive to produce the show.

[The Brain]

Cops would have been a great show if they sometimes shot in rich neighborhoods. Watching Johnny Trustfund disgrace his Mayflowerian family is a lot more hilarious than watching some dirt poor drug dude get arrested the third time that week.

Johnny Trustfund's family has way better access to lawyers, which would make it inconvenient and/or expensive to produce the show.

I know there are many reasons they don't do it.

[Admiral Yi]

Johhny Trustfund doesn't beat up his girlfriend, doesn't buy or sell drugs on the street, and doesn't boost cars.

Your show would have two episodes every ten years when Khan splooges on a maid or Spitzer bangs an escort.

[The Brain]

Johhny Trustfund doesn't beat up his girlfriend,

I see.

[Barrister]

Johhny Trustfund doesn't beat up his girlfriend,

Disagree.  Domestic violence cuts across all socioeconomic classes.

[CountDeMoney]

Johhny Trustfund doesn't beat up his girlfriend,

Disagree.  Domestic violence cuts across all socioeconomic classes.

Yup.  The only difference is Johnny Trustfund gets released on his own recognizance when he's arrested, and Darkie McDredlocks gets a $10,000 bail.

[MadImmortalMan]

Johhny Trustfund doesn't beat up his girlfriend

He drives her off a bridge.

[Admiral Yi]

Disagree.  Domestic violence cuts across all socioeconomic classes.

Sure.  Ask a copper buddy how often he gets a domestic dispute call at McMansion Estates vs. Trailer Town.