Gas Tax Increase Email (AKA Holding My Tongue)

Along with about a zillion other people, I received the following email at work today:

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Subject: Gas Tax Increase

Hi All,

I don’t want to offend anyone…but I also want to provide you with the web site for easy access to your state reps….send them a quick e-mail and let them know you don’t want a gas tax increase…..

The people need to speak!!!

Please go to the link below and then to your town for your reps. E-mail’s provided for each one.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/city_town.htm

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I had the hardest time ever not replying to all to say "Bike to work!" But I figured saying that, and throwing in that I thought a gas tax increase was a good idea -- heck, we're paying less than $2/gallon even with taxes these days! -- and rubbing in that I don't pay ANY gas tax to get to work, wouldn't make me any friends. These people do pass me on the road around work all the time.

Still, I also admit that I couldn't resist chuckling evilly. Going by bike just keeps getting better and better!

You don't need to get in your co-workers' faces, but I often use those email solicitations as a handy reference to bill numbers, etc., so I can write a letter the opposite of what the solicitation is asking...

Geez, I don't think those kinds of emails belong at work at all, whatever the stance may be. Substitute "gay marriage" for "gas tax" and you've got a firestorm.

Of course, I don't think emails about the upcoming Girl Scout cookie sales down in the employee lounge to support someone's daughter are a good idea either (or Tour de Cure/Lymphoma rides or office Christmas donations to the local shelter etc.). Just doesn't belong at work.

Of course, I work from home in a company with only three employees, so it's very easy for me to comment so freely on things that do not effect me in the least.

Carry on!

I work for a huge company, perhaps I should say HUGE company. And such emails are verboten. Only allowed fundraising or political emails are for events sanctioned by the corporate community outreach do-gooder department after application.

That said, I have no problems with taxing the heck out of gas.

Yeah, it's okay here to send an email about girl scout cookies and various fundraisers if it's addressed to a select group of co-workers that you're friendly with. But you can't send anything to the whole email list, and political stuff is pretty much off-limits.

I did send a message out to everyone last October about local rules for absentee voting, and no one complained about that. But I did it because I know some of the folks around here have very long commutes, which makes it tough for them to make it to the polls, and I was surprised to learn that around here a long commute is sufficient to qualify for absentee voting. And I limited the information to official state websites, with no references to any specific political parties.

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

That said, I have no problems with taxing the heck out of gas.

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You read my mind, and that's not an easy thing to do what with all the old boxes of comics and trivial facts in the way.
I'd respond to that email.

I don't like these kinds of things going around at work...
But, in reference to this particular situation; is it the people in MA, or everywhere, but how do people think things we take for granted get paid for?
Like roads? Schools? Bridges? Police? Etc., Etc.
If these complainers can think of a better way to pay for things, then let them speak.

If the gas tax is raised, maybe people will think about changing their driving habits. I know I did when the prices went up last year. I don't commute as much as some, but I sure changed the way I do things when it comes to driving.

Maybe I am an old liberal, but I get sick of all this complaining.

While I do not bike commute we do carpool and DH does hybrid commute a couple of days a week. This minimizes the amount we drive our Dodge Ram Truck. Most of my neighbors assume I have been laid off. Because I like that they think someone is home, I say I have the ability to telecommute because I do but as a tool for overtime not daily work. I am fine with a gas tax, I can buy a fuel efficient car or make changes in driving habits. I would rather have gas taxes than increased property taxes because short of selling my house I can't do a dang thing about those.

I do think politics/causes do not belong at work. I was greatly offended someone thought wearing a political candidate shirt was appropriate (we can wear t-shirts) and it was a political party I tend to favor! I just think there are times and places for everything.

I am wandering on a the American Planning Assoc website ingesting quite a bit of info & found this:

http://www.planning.org/thenewplanner/2008/fall/gas.htm

I know it may not be of interest but hey..

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Originally Posted by Crankin

I don't like these kinds of things going around at work...
But, in reference to this particular situation; is it the people in MA, or everywhere, but how do people think things we take for granted get paid for?
Like roads? Schools? Bridges? Police? Etc., Etc.
If these complainers can think of a better way to pay for things, then let them speak.

If the gas tax is raised, maybe people will think about changing their driving habits. I know I did when the prices went up last year. I don't commute as much as some, but I sure changed the way I do things when it comes to driving.

Maybe I am an old liberal, but I get sick of all this complaining.

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Amen.

It utterly galls me when people tell me Some Grant should Pay For That.

Who? Ulysses S. Grant?

we tax the heck out of tobacco and alcohol - let's treat that absurd vice of gasoline the same way :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crankin

I don't like these kinds of things going around at work...
But, in reference to this particular situation; is it the people in MA, or everywhere, but how do people think things we take for granted get paid for?
Like roads? Schools? Bridges? Police? Etc., Etc.
If these complainers can think of a better way to pay for things, then let them speak.

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I've asked my representative (whom I know personally because I volunteered on his campaign) to support a gas tax increase. The state is in very poor fiscal shape right now, and the debts of the MBTA and Turnpike Authority could handicap future state budgets and borrowing potential. The alternative of doubling Turnpike tolls is grossly inequitable.

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Originally Posted by DebW

I've asked my representative (whom I know personally because I volunteered on his campaign) to support a gas tax increase. The state is in very poor fiscal shape right now, and the debts of the MBTA and Turnpike Authority could handicap future state budgets and borrowing potential. The alternative of doubling Turnpike tolls is grossly inequitable.

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If I was going to take action, I'd do the same thing. I think it helps politicians to know that some constituents won't be calling up irate at the prospect of higher gas prices.

I admit I did reply to the sender of the email; I just said "Bike to work!" She replied back: "It takes me an hour and 15 minutes to drive to work. Riding is out of the question." That's typical at my work: People drive 40, 50, 60 miles, sometimes even more, to get here. What do you say to encourage bike commuting for somebody who's chosen to live out in the boonies and drive over an hour each way?

Now that I am using the T, both commuter rail and the Red Line, I also keep my mouth shut about increases there. So much less stress than driving into the city, which I never do. I know it's not perfect, but it keeps me driving less.

They are starting a commuter line near my house, I am curious about it because it is an odd thing for Texas. I would like to use it myself if it will be practical, give me an excuse to buy a folder. :p

I hate smoking with a passion so everytime the discuss increasing the tax again I applaud it loudly. Doesn't make my chimney brother happy but I hope one day he will see he is killing himself physically and financially and quit. Different soapbox.

Our state's conundrum? Our transit authority is funded more than 40% not by ridership or fares but by gas tax.

So that means...

if you stop driving and start taking the bus to save money on gas, there's a distinct and realistic possibility that you are negatively impacting the buses, which means they might cut your line.

Crazy.