John Masters said:
We car drivers have to pay it so should any one else who uses the road.
Apologies for not getting back sooner.
I don't know whether you have the phrase 'old chestnut' in Texas, but the 'r', 'o', 'a', 'd', 't', 'a' and 'x' keys of a good number of the CC faithful show significant signs of wear. You're new, so you might not be aware of the facts.
I once thought of producing a leaflet to hand to motorists who felt the need to discuss my rights on the road. It was going to be called "Road Tax - Why you are talking out of your @rse". But I've decided that the personal approach works best. So, here goes.....
In this country, there are very few hypothecated taxes. A hypothecated tax is one that is collected for a specific purpose. So, Vehicle Excise Duty or 'road tax' as it is commonly known, does not pay for the roads or, more accurately, it is not the only tax that pays for the roads. Instead, it goes into a giant pot for the government to spend on say, engaging in misguided adventures in the middle east or state funded health care.
Now I've picked these two topics because they will both have resonance with you, our American chum. By paying road tax, you are supporting our chaps in Afganistan. That makes you a patriot, albeit a British patriot. Apologies if that makes the 4th July a little conflicted.
To health care! Despite its many failings, we are quite proud of our national health service. You, by paying road tax, have contributed to our state health care system. I must admit that, until Sarah Palin spoke out, I was unaware of the existance of state 'Death Panels', but I guess they must be part of the NHS. After all Mrs Palin wouldn't have just made them up, would she? Here's hoping that grammar and spelling aren't two of the criteria that they use to make decisions, eh John?
and once again something that England should be following!
