A federal commission concluded a GPS-based mileage tax to offset the revenue decline by newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles was the “best path forward”, and now University of Iowa researchers are tweaking a GPS system that will track your vehicles every move. With the current by-the-gallon fuel tax is not generating enough revenue, many are proposing a pay-by-the-mile tax. The only way to accomplish this would be to equip all vehicles with a device to track your mileage.

I think the concept of a pay-as-you go fuel tax may have merit, but using GPS is not the answer as it will allow a further breach of our civil liberties. With the technological advances in the last decade, far less intrusive technology could be used. How about a device that doesn’t track your vehicle, but records your mileage since your last fill up at the gas station and charges you at the pump?

Proponents of the project claim the GPS devices could also be used to as a tool to help manage traffic and relieve congestion. Bullshit. There are other ways to monitor traffic including below pavement ground sensors, cameras, etc.

As one blogger put it, “I’m also paranoid enough that I’d prefer not being harassed or suspected of a crime because I’m one of 200 other cars listed as “near” a crime scene.” Or another who said:

I’m a pretty good shade tree mechanic, even on newer cars.

You’d better believe that the transponder on my next car is going to get removed and will be emitting a nice, regular signal from the corner of the garage, while it gathers dust. It will keep company with the restrictive catalytic converter, intake manifold, and exhaust system that I removed from my sports car.

Welcome to George Orwell’s world.

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The constitution requires a census every 10 years to count the population in order to draw congressional district boundaries. This is a sampling of some of the questions [PDF link] they ask.

What is your telephone number?
Are the Grandparents Caregivers?
What is this person’s marital status?
Has this person given birth to any children in the past 12 months?
What is this person’s ancestry or ethnic origin?
Where did this person live 1 year ago? (And they want the address).
Has this person ever served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, military Reserves, or National Guard?

Of course they ask the last one. They need to know where potential right-wing terrorist live and with GPS it’s even easier.

Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping?

Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?

Huh?

It seems some census workers are hypersensitive about having their pictures taken..

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