To the editor:

Associated Press report from Portland, Ore.: “Oregon is among a growing number of states exploring ways to tax drivers based on the number of miles they drive instead of how much gas they use, even going so far as to install GPS monitoring devices in 300 vehicles. The idea first emerged nearly 10 years ago as Oregon lawmakers worried that fuel-efficient cars such as gas-electric hybrids could pose a threat to road upkeep, which is paid for largely with gasoline taxes.”

And this is one of the reasons Amerika is going to fall. Politicians sit around trying to devise new ways to steal money from people. If you buy a fuel-efficient car you’ll be penalized because you drive more. If you buy a wasteful car you’ll be penalized at the pump with excess taxes. It would appear there’s a not-so-subtle current to drive all Americans out of their cars and let us ride motor scooters and bicycles!

John Hamm,
Baldwin City