Subj : Re: So.......
To   : alt.tv.farscape
From : weirdwolf
Date : Wed Sep 14 2005 17:53:45

From Newsgroup: alt.tv.farscape

Nick <nickSPAMMENOT@snurcher.com> wrote in
news:Xns96D177FFFF15Andtcm@204.153.244.170: 

> weirdwolf wrote:
> 
>> Nick <nickSPAMMENOT@snurcher.com> wrote in
>> news:Xns96D17711B9D96ndtcm@204.153.244.170: 
>> 
>>> Steve Brooks wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Nick wrote:
>>>>> Steve Brooks wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Nick wrote:
>>>>>>> Steve Brooks wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> <snip>
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> What road pricing proposals?
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Basically - rather than paying a flat rate road tax each year
>>>>>>>> we will be charged depending on how much we drive, when, and on
>>>>>>>> which roads. Busy roads at 8.30 am will cost a lot more per
>>>>>>>> mile than quiet roads at 2.00 am (these will probably be free.)
>>>>>>>>  In terms of social justice I see this as entirely reasonable.
>>>>>>>> Unfortunately it is also hellishly complicated and difficult to
>>>>>>>> implement. The government's plan is to use transponders in
>>>>>>>> vehicles combined with GPS and software. I think they've got
>>>>>>>> absolutely no chance of making this work. It's many times more
>>>>>>>> complicated than IT tasks they've already completely
>>>>>>>> screwed-up. 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Yeah, that sounds kinda hard.  Personally, I like the road tax
>>>>>>> being incorporated in the gas tax. 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> It's nice and simple and cheap to collect. But our government
>>>>>> does have a point when they say some roads are in higher demand
>>>>>> are - therefore - a premium product.
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> I dunno about that.  The government is the one who made the road.
>>>>> If they had made attractive alternate routes then it may not be
>>>>> that way. They could decide that they are going to do a lot of
>>>>> work on a particularly busy road and neglect all the rest of the
>>>>> roads making them less desireable to drive upon. 
>>>> 
>>>> I guess that's the difference between living in a country the size
>>>> of a continent and one the size of a postage stamp. In many cases
>>>> our high demand roads are so because they're the only viable route
>>>> from A to B - and A to B is a journey many need to make. In many
>>>> cases alternative routes could be constructed but it would mean
>>>> losing precious open space and our experience is that building more
>>>> roads ends up creating more traffic. 
>>>> 
>>>> There's also the time factor. If a road is very crowded during rush
>>>> hour but relatively clear at other times then making it more
>>>> expensive at rush hour will encourage those who can to change their
>>>> hours and travel at different times.
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> I'm also not too crazy about the idea that the government knows
>>> where you are at all times.
>>> 
>> 
>> Think thats bad, you should see the scheme they have for mandatory ID
>> cards, the reduction of trial by jury rights and the rise in cameras 
>> around towns.
>>  Ted
>> 
> 
> Ironically, I am very fond of having the government know where YOU are
> at all times.

Ha, but they don't need any special tracking equipment, I hardly ever 
leave the house.
 By the way that naughty sourceress is one tough bitch.
 Ted

-- 
Stare too long into the abyss and the abyss looks like a nifty place to 
hide the bodies

.