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

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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.

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Originally Posted by kfergos

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?

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I live in the boonies and I bike to work. :)

I would challenge your coworkers to really investigate biking - most peole rarely bike the same route they drive, so it may be shorter than they think. Half of most people's commuting time (by car) is often from sitting in traffic. Without it, the actual distance may not be that far.

And then there's the hybrid commute option. My H had a 35 mile commute (which took him an hour if he drove) when we lived in NC. He would drive part way (on country roads - so no traffic), park at a grocery store, and then bike the remaining 15 miles or so. It took him only 20 extra minutes than his car commute - but he got exercise and saved $ on gas (not to mention the environmental impact). Plus, he was a much nicer person on bike commute days! :p


Oh, and count me in the pro-gas-tax camp.

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Originally Posted by kfergos

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?

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Ask how much of that time is spent sitting in traffic.... my husbands commute is about an hour and 15 minutes no matter how he does it.... bike, bus or personal vehicle. My commute is far faster by bike than it is by bus... (I've never driven it during rush hour so I'm not sure how it would be by car). For me I can leave the house 15 min later if I bike and still shower and dress at work than if I shower at home and take the bus. For me bike = more sleep...

I also agree with GLC - for those who have chosen to commute extremely long distances, hybrid bus/bike commutes are a good option. Even if you are exercise opposed.... as long as there is decent public transport in your area many people find taking the bus and/or train less stressful and quicker than car commuting. I say tax away..... most people don't and won't conserve unless it bites them in the wallet...

I chose to live in the city and used to be very close to work. We bought a modest home, close in, so we would not have the expense or inconvenience of a commute. Our house is within walking distance of the metro and we are on several metro bus lines.
Unfortunately, they relocated my job to a building they built out by Dulles airport. There is NO public transportation, and biking is not a viable option due to safety issues. My commute more than tripled. Oh yes, if I have meetings at other buildings, the taxpayer has to pay my mileage to drive there.
I did not choose to be relocated but I'm stuck until I complete my current assignment.
Now I pay a big chunk of change on tolls, gas, and car upkeep. So while I understand why people are for a gas increase, the simple truth is that some of us have no choice but to drive to work. If I could ride the bus or ride my bike to work, I would.

Although ease of commute (whether by bike or car) is very important to me, I would not consider riding if I had a 30, 40, 50 mile commute. A hybrid commute would be possible for me, but given the logistics and time that would take at those distances, I know I wouldn't do it everyday.
It seems like their are more people who choose to live where they want (in the boonies) and deal with the long commute. Their home is more important than the driving. So, while I might not agree, I don't fault them.
I had a 30+ mile commute at one point when I first moved to MA. It was all highway and didn't really bother me. There is no way I would ride that, or part of it, even now.
When I started riding, I had a 6.75 mile commute. It was perfect because it was uphill in the AM, but still short, even with the climbing. I didn't really have to leave earlier than if I drove. Then I moved. My commute doubled, to 13.8 miles. The first year I was too scared to navigate one intersection and the alternate I tried was 18 miles one way; too long. Then I started riding 2 days a week at the end and beginning of the school year. It was fine. but it did require a lot of planning, since I couldn't put lights or racks on my road bike. Not everyone is up to doing that.

I live on a farm out in the boonies 32 miles from the city where I work.
I hybrid (bike to bus and back) commute two days a week.
I drive to bus two days a week.
In summer, one day a week, I ride all the way in, and all the way home. It takes about 2 hours one way.
It is worth having our little farm out in the boonies.

I know it's doable -- you ladies prove it all the time! But my coworkers' eyes start glazing over when I talk about driving partway, etc. It's like the idea of riding a bike to work at all is just completely an anathema. They see me d it, but they don't think, "Hmmm, I could do something like that, too." It's frustrating to not even be able to get them to listen with an open mind to the many possibilities.

I live in the boonies by choice and necessity. A house near my work is $30-50k more and 25 years old. My house is near where the cycling club drives to ride, I bike to the rides. :p We do make our own accomodations to combat the gas consumption including carpooling and hybrid commuting. My co-workers think I am insane for commuting in the warmer months (I shy away in the months where it is dark but carpool).

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Originally Posted by kfergos

I know it's doable -- you ladies prove it all the time! But my coworkers' eyes start glazing over when I talk about driving partway, etc. It's like the idea of riding a bike to work at all is just completely an anathema. They see me d it, but they don't think, "Hmmm, I could do something like that, too." It's frustrating to not even be able to get them to listen with an open mind to the many possibilities.

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Well, if we implement a high enough gas tax...they will! They'll be desparately looking for ways to cut back and biking won't seem so hard to swallow. Look at what happened last summer! I saw people I NEVER thought I'd see out biking or carpooling. Of course, that's mostly stopped now that gas is cheap again. :mad:

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Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

I live in the boonies by choice and necessity. A house near my work is $30-50k more and 25 years old. .

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uh... my house is nearly 100 years old.... I tend to think in many ways old homes were built better. It's no longer possible to get the quality of wood that you find in old homes around here. The trees just aren't that big anymore... I will admit that you with some old homes you may find a lot of systems that require updating, but IMHO a well cared for older home is a treasure.

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Originally Posted by Eden

uh... my house is nearly 100 years old.... I tend to think in many ways old homes were built better. It's no longer possible to get the quality of wood that you find in old homes around here. The trees just aren't that big anymore... I will admit that you with some old homes you may find a lot of systems that require updating, but IMHO a well cared for older home is a treasure.

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I love older homes too. Ours is over 40 years old and when we ripped off all the siding to have it replaced last fall, I was in awe of what was underneath. The entire home is built with solid cedar boards and they were all in perfect condition (despite the nasty, wet, rotten, siding). Every day we find another quality feature of our home due to the era in which it was built. It's great too, because my husband, who was terrified of an older home (I really liked the 100 year old plus one but he wouldn't hear of it) is starting to be won over as well.

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Originally Posted by Eden

uh... my house is nearly 100 years old.... I tend to think in many ways old homes were built better. It's no longer possible to get the quality of wood that you find in old homes around here. The trees just aren't that big anymore... I will admit that you with some old homes you may find a lot of systems that require updating, but IMHO a well cared for older home is a treasure.

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The houses around my work need updating and are not a 100 year old gem. They are late 70's/early 80's mass built homes. So basically the house I own in 2030. :rolleyes: There are nice mature trees but that is hardly worth paying more for. Most of them have funky 70's style architecture my husband is not keen on, or wallpaper I have experience tearing down and do not wish for again. Basically more work, higher mortgage and we were definitely not ready to take on that burden as young first time owners. Not to mention DH is nearly as clueless with fixing things as I am.

Well, people couldn't believe I rode the 6.75 miles to work...
When I moved, they were again amazed. I am not as hardy as some of you guys, but I will start riding to the train again for class, once it warms up a little (like in a month).
I am going on all of these interviews for my internship next year and only1 or 2 will be rideable, given my time constraints and the fact that on some days i will have to go into the city afterwards for class. But, some will have flexible hours that will allow me to ride in the morning. I keep thinking that riding shouldn't be the most important factor, though. I need someone to offer me a position before I start worrying about riding.

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Originally Posted by Eden

uh... my house is nearly 100 years old.... I tend to think in many ways old homes were built better. It's no longer possible to get the quality of wood that you find in old homes around here. The trees just aren't that big anymore... I will admit that you with some old homes you may find a lot of systems that require updating, but IMHO a well cared for older home is a treasure.

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EXACTLY. Our house was built in 1940. Brick-on-brick construction, plaster walls, excellent "bones."

Our first house was a "new" townhouse that was in the exurbs (now no longer considered the exurbs, ironically enough). You just can't compare it in terms of craftmanship, quality of construction, or appeal w/our 1940s house. The current "old" house is smaller but much more solid.

Our house was built in 1912. We chose to buy a much smaller house (1500 square feet), but to be in a walkable neighborhood. We can walk or bike to a Whole Foods and about a dozen restaurants (all < 2 miles). We know our neighbors, and really have a strong community. Our home has "personality", but it's fundamentally solid construction.

Public transit is lacking here, but sometimes there are creative work-arounds. The biggest problem is lack of bike capacity on buses. Most can only hold 2 bikes. Our transit system is so non-dense that there's usually no other way to get to the bus. I did have a 45 minute (by car) commute that there was no way to do with any form of mass transit.

There's still work to be done. Gas is undervalued now. I'm sure it will go up soon. Our gas tax (state) is tied to average gas prices (the more expensive the price, the more tax you are charged). Our DOT is broke, and now not repairing roads (except pot holes that pose a danger). Don't know what the answer is, but it certainly isn't the status quo.

CA

Most of our buses can hold 3 right now. They upgraded a bunch of buses to 4 bike racks and the racks began to fail :eek:, so they had to put the 3 up ones back.
I'm not over enamored with our transit system out here. It's OK... but it is mostly bus based (light rail is coming finally....) In the city I can get around faster on my bike than I can by bus - my 25 min 6 mile bike commute is an hour with one transfer if I take the bus...
If you really do need to do inter-city commuting we do have a nice heavy rail (shares with Amtrack) commuter run along Tacoma - Seattle - Everett that would certainly beat driving those distances.

We have zero public transportation in my town. But, it is a very bikeable place, even though there is only one bike lane to nowhere. Everyone drives, except for the poorest (mostly immigrants, who either walk or bike), and a couple of stand-outs who are clearly biking to be green.

I saw a gal pulling a kid trailer with a BMX bike a couple of times last week. I couldn't see if she had kids in it. I think I'm going to stop her next time and offer her one of the bikes I have lying around.

Karen

I found when I was commuting by bike that just the fact that I did it day in and day out actually inspired a few people. Those who lived way out did not start riding to work, but those who lived closer in did (some of them). They couldn't very easily complain about biking to work from 5 miles (some less!) when I commuted 14 miles each way.

While you won't change anyone's mind by talking at them, you might inspire someone. Just keep doing what your are doing and let them be inspired.

http://you-just-dont-want-to.blogspot.com/

The title to that blog says it all.

Most people just aren't ready to think that cars aren't just wonderful things, thank you... and they can't imagine walking or riding.

More's the pity.

THe more of us do it, though, the more normal it is... especially as so many people actually *do* try it and are amazed at how good it feels.