Reply #64: The ChipperbackDemocrat Petroleum Policy [View All]

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

I my mind there need to be four main objectives.
1. Rebuilding and strengthening our national rail infrastructure. America's currently is the worst in the industrialised world for carrying goods or people. We need freight trains running to carry our products, we need American Shinkansens and TGV carrying passengers..and we need a rail system that is up to date and on time and that can also integrate into road, mass transit, water transit and air transit system seamlessly.
2. This nation has to commit fully to sustainable energy solutions. It is in our prime economic and structural security interests to do so.
3. It is time to end the gridlock in our major cities. It is wasting time, money and productivity. The best way is mass solutions.

NOW, HOW DO WE PAY FOR THIS?

1. CAFE: All manufacturers who wish to sell cars in the united states must meet a CAFE Standard of 35 mpg in 2009, 40 mpg in 2010, 45 mpg in 2011 and 50 mpg in 2012. A graduated tax will be levied on the price of any vehicle that does not meet the 35 mpg standard based on how much they are under that standard. The further you are under that standard, the more you get taxed. Being a person who likes sports cars, I'll probably have at least one vehicle that will be taxed heavy, but so be it. I'll drive the sensible car and have fun with the sports cars once in awhile. ;)

2. NATIONAL NEW CAR TAX: The Federal Government will levy a 10% tax on the sales of new vehicles in the United States starting 2009. 50% of the tax revenue will go directly into overhaul and upgrade of the national passenger and freight rail system. 25% will go into the National Alternative Energy Programme. 25% will go to the National Mass Transit Development Programme. Hybrid vehicles that still use petroleum in some form will only incur a 5% tax. Buy a motor vehicle that does not use petroleum, you get a 10% tax credit.

3. THE SPOKES CREDIT: The Federal Government will give you a 10% tax rebate for buying a bicycle. This is also a key part of "ChipperbackCare" (America's National Health Service)

4. NATIONAL GASOLINE TAX: The gas tax will be raised 10% per year between 2009-2012, all money from that tax will go into the National Mass Transit Development Programme

5. FLY-RAIL COORDINATION: As part of rebuild and strengthening our national passenger rail system, we will mandate that all major commercial airports in a metropolitan area will be served by a ChipperRail spur ("ChipperRail"=The replace of Amtrak, ran in part by the Federal Government in cooperation with SNCF or Nippon Railways, whoever wins the National High Speed Rail Contract). In turn we hope to build a synergy between rail and air travel that can help loosen congestion of the skies and change the hub-spoke system into something that works. We also seek to expand the coordination to every form of mass transport, especially in our major cities. If I fly into a city, I should also be able to get a bus, train or water transport if possible. In most cities you find that isn't the case. That is a waste of energy, time and human capital.

(Paid for by ChipperbackDemocrat for President 2008: I'll change America, whether you are ready or not.)