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User Fees

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by Salty, Jan 19, 2008.

?

Are User Fees actually taxes?

  1. Yes

    12 vote(s)
    63.2%

  2. No

    5 vote(s)
    26.3%

  3. Not sure

    2 vote(s)
    10.5%

  4. Other

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Top Posters
  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Many agcys of the govt asseses user fees for usage. Do you consider these the same as taxes?

    I would say that users fees would include toll roads, park fees, and ect

    Thoughts?
     
    #1 Salty, Jan 19, 2008
  2. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    A tax is a fine you pay for doing something right. A fine is a tax you pay for doing something wrong.
     
    #2 billwald, Jan 19, 2008
  3. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    When a govt is short of money, they may raise taxes and or fees.

    If a, say a city park/golf club is runing at a defict, should the difference be made up by increasing taxes are increasing fees on the course and or park.
     
    #3 Salty, Jan 21, 2009
  4. J.D.

    J.D. Active Member
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    I voted no, but if I am forced in some way to pay a user fee because I have no option, then it's just like a tax in that I have to pay whether I want to or not. For example, when I buy a tag for my car, I get something in exchange for my fee. That seems fair. But in reality I have no option. I don't have the option of not driving. (No, I don't have the option of selling my house and moving into the city. Selling one's property/home is never a rational option in a free and civilized society). Since I can't exercise the option of not paying the fee, it is in effect a tax. The state can set it at almost any rate they wish and I have to pay it.
     
    #4 J.D., Jan 21, 2009
  5. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    But wouldnt you agree that a govt agy, such as DMV should at least "break even"?
     
    #5 Salty, Jan 22, 2009
  6. BigBossman

    BigBossman Active Member

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    The government's job is to serve, not to make money. Lately, it seems getting more for doing less.
     
    #6 BigBossman, Jan 22, 2009
  7. SeekingTruth

    SeekingTruth Member

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    What BigBossman said.

    DMV and all other government agencies are funded by our taxes: income, property, sales, etc. They should not be allowed to add a fee to those taxes, so they can expand an already bloated empires..
     
    #7 SeekingTruth, Jan 22, 2009
  8. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I agree they (Govt agys) should not make money, but those who use the service should pay for it.

    If you loose a legal case, you may be subject to court costs, if you travel by air, there is a surcharge to pay for airports - ect, a radio/TV station must pay for a license -, you pay to mail letters, there is a charge for passports and ect, ect ect.
    If you do not use any of those services, why should I pay extra taxes?

    Granted some agys should be tax supported - fire, police, military and so forth.
     
    #8 Salty, Jan 22, 2009
  9. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    Yes. I support user fees. The only federal govt mandated businesses are the Navy, post offices, and post roads. See your Constitution. Other businesses should compete with private enterprise.
     
    #9 billwald, Jan 22, 2009
  10. BigBossman

    BigBossman Active Member

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    I have heard of cases where if you get a traffic ticket, decide to go to court & fight it, that you still have to pay for court costs. Has anyone else heard of that? I've heard that court costs are more expensive than the actual fine. Its almost like its cheaper to plead guilty & pay the fine rather than protest your innocense.

    Fortunately, the two tickets I got nailed with in 2005 got thrown out of court before the judge walked into the court room. I was in & out of the court room in less than 10 minutes. I was lucky though. Its not everyday you get citations for expired tag & no insurance thrown out of court.
     
    #10 BigBossman, Jan 22, 2009
  11. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Actually, I did receive a ticket for expired license plate. It was because, I (and my POV) had spent three years in Germany. When I explained that to the judge - he dropped the charges.

    On the other hand, I received a parking ticket for odd-even parking. I had a medical "reason" that evening - but according to the board - NO EXCUSES- PERIOD !. In Syracuse, you don't go before a judge for parking tickets - those are handled by a "traffic review board. That was about $30 including State surcharge
     
    #11 Salty, Jan 22, 2009
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