Denrael

This is an open letter to Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken urging them to oppose what has come to be known as “ObamaCare”. In it’s place, I urge them to read the article by John McKey of Whole Foods on alternatives approaches. The article is available to read here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342170072865070.html

In summary, he suggests the following sensible steps: • Remove the legal obstacles that slow the creation of high- deductible health insurance plans and health savings accounts (HSAs).

• Equalize the tax laws so that employer-provided health insurance and individually owned health insurance have the same tax benefits.

• Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines.

• Repeal government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover.

• Enact tort reform to end the ruinous lawsuits that force doctors to pay insurance costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

• Make costs transparent so that consumers understand what health- care treatments cost.

• Enact Medicare reform.

• Finally, revise tax forms to make it easier for individuals to make a voluntary, tax-deductible donation to help the millions of people who have no insurance and aren’t covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Recently I read about Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota, wanting to introduce a Milage Tax.

Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., said he believes the technology exists to implement a mileage tax. He said he sees no point in waiting years for the results of pilot programs since such a tax system is inevitable as federal gasoline tax revenues decline.

 The goal of this tax is increased revenues for the government. Currently Minnesota receives 20 cents per gallon, in addition to the 18.4 cents per gallon that the US Government receives. So, why the increase? People are driving less. As gas costs increased, people found ways to reduce their driving. As the economy has tanked, people have not had work commutes and have driven less. People have switched to more fuel efficient vehicles. What the democrats have been asking for is happening. Consumption is down. Unfortunately that also means that revenue is down for the government. A Milage tax is a way to recoup some of that revenue as opposed to the more sane (and much harder) approach of finding ways to reduce expenditures. While there is talk about a ‘migration’ to a milage tax, I am will ing to bet here and now that you would see this as an addition. When has a tax in place ever gone away. End result is consumers will pay more. More to drive, more for goods transported  over the roads, etc.

So, how would this ‘milage tax’ be implemented. Reading further we see it would be done by implementing GPS technology in the cars. Essentially government surveillance of our driving habits. Already today, black boxes in cars are being used to prosecute drivers. Does anyone believe for an instant that information like this would not be used for programs beyond the ‘milage tax’?

James Oberstar is not concerned with your privacy. He is concerned with replacing the revenue lost from the drop in consumption. When asked about pilot programs to introduce concepts and work out privacy issues, he responded:

“I’m at a point of impatience with more studies,” Oberstar said. He suggested that Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., chairman of the highways and transit subcommittee, set up a meeting of transportation experts and members of Congress to figure out how it could be done.

I urge you to pay attention to what your representatives are doing with your money and your freedoms in Washington. The time to tell them that enough is enough is now. If you are in Minnesota, I urge you to vote with your ballot against people such as James Oberstar who clearly do not have your welfare or freedoms as their core vision.