With the ever-increasing proliferation of hybrid and other high-mileage vehicles, federal gas tax revenue is in the decline. Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood is tossing around the idea of a “mileage tax” to replace the current system, a bad idea for several reasons, both of which summed up aptly in the first paragraph right here:

A tentative plan in Massachusetts to use GPS chips in vehicles to charge motorists by the mile has drawn complaints from drivers who say it's an Orwellian intrusion by government into the lives of citizens. Other motorists say it eliminates an incentive to drive more fuel-efficient cars since gas guzzlers will be taxed at the same rate as fuel sippers.

Besides a VMT tax, more tolls for highways and bridges and more government partnerships with business to finance transportation projects are other funding options, LaHood, one of two Republicans in President Barack Obama's Cabinet, said in the interview Thursday.

“What I see this administration doing is this — thinking outside the box on how we fund our infrastructure in America,” he said.

Apparently, LaHood is open to this idea, as are several states. Now, I know, the gas tax as it is currently structured is a regressive tax, but given the choice of the government being able to track everyplace I go in my car or raising the current tax, I'll go with the latter. Simply put, there is no way in hell I'm going to allow the government to be able to track me in that way, and this one will reverberate across the left/right spectrum in terms of opposition due to privacy concerns. Aside from what the government can do with it, there's a ton of opportunities for abuse if the information is compromised and falls into the hands of private detectives, marketers, etc. No thanks.

Perhaps, 5 or so years from now, after more people have switched to more efficient vehicles, a mileage tax could make sense, but it can be done in a way that is less intrusive, perhaps at vehicle inspection every year or something. But tracking vehicles in this way is ridiculous.

(Poll beneath the jump)

 UPDATED: White House says it isn't happening.

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Per an email that you may have gotten this morning, Ian Carleton is resigning as state chair:

After three rich and exciting years of serving as Chair of the Vermont Democratic Party, it is time for me to move on. As of this Saturday, I wish to resign from my position as State Chair. Our able Vice Chair Judy Bevans, with whom I have already discussed this decision, has graciously agreed to serve as acting Chair until such time as the Party wishes to hold a special election for Chair (see Article XX of the VDP Bylaws), or until this November when the Party is statutorily required to undergo complete reorganization.

I’ve heard a lot of discussion about the state organization, its effectiveness and its vision. Can anyone here shed any further light on how things are running at the state level and how well it’s working?

I honestly don’t have a good handle on it, all I would say is that the state-wide campaigns seem to be rather lacking in inspiration or vision in some cases, which of course should not necessarily be blamed on the state party.

The most concerning trend I have seen is that the state party has seemed to rely on an attitude of expectation that all Dems will march in line, contribute and work hard for our candidates. Now, that’s not totally unreasonable, but when it’s the only justification you’re offering, it can be less than inspirational.

There are strong cases to be made for the Democratic platform and vision in Vermont, but I’m not seeing that case being made. Candidates who can illuminate that vision for voters would be one way to go, but there also seems to be an opportunity to inspire more on a party level. Grassroots outreach seems to be limited to asking for donations, not actively engaging and empowering people on the local level, nor does it seem to reach out to expand the party base very effectively.

As good democrats we should always keep our eyes open to opportunities to engage in selecting leaders and setting new visions. Is this an opportunity for needed change?

Someone stole my public airwaves .We were given an old TV years ago.No cable,no dish.

When outfitted with rabbit ears and adorned with the ideal amount of tin foil it got two and one half stations,depending on the weather (sunspots?).

And then there was one.

Last night I battled with a digital converter box and successfully reduced our number of stations down to one ,but by god its a great picture !

Why is New Hampshire Public TeeVee the only station we now receive here in Vermont ?