Restore T.R.U.S.T.

NewsOK
The Oklahoman Editorial
Published: August 2, 2011

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn and U.S. Rep. James Lankford want Oklahoma to opt out of the federal highway program and keep federal fuel tax revenue instead of filtering it through Washington. Perhaps Oklahoma City could then opt out of the state highway program and keep the fuel tax money instead of filtering it through NE 23 and Lincoln.

But then certain ZIP codes within Oklahoma City might want to opt out of the city highway program and keep the fuel tax money instead of filtering it through City Hall. But then ...

See where this is going? The Coburn-Lankford proposal will go nowhere in Congress. The concept of sending taxes to Washington, having it filtered and then getting some of it back (sometimes more than was paid) is what keeps Washington going — that and borrowed money. Seems more efficient to keep the money and set our own priorities.

More efficient, perhaps, but not realistic. All taxpayers have something they'd like to opt out of — war, railroad subsidies, crop supports, space exploration, etc. Washington taxes and returns some of the money. Congress and the bureaucracy decide how much will be taken and how much will be sent back... FULL ARTICLE