TERROR TECH

Oregon State Governor Ted Kulongoski (Democrat) wants to install state monitored GPS devices in every registered vehicle in the state. This is part of his plan to implement a statewide mileage tax which he claims is necessary to recoup the revenue lost due to Oregonians preferences for fuel efficient automobiles. The state is apparently losing moneys it would normally be receiving through gas taxes because so many of the states residents are using more fuel efficient vehicles.

the reasoning for this new tax plan is that high-gas-mileage vehicles are using the roads as much as lower mileage vehicles but contributing less to their upkeep by paying fewer taxes due to purchasing less gas. The obvious flaw in this logic is that larger less fuel efficient vehicles do actually cause more wear to roadways so they should in fact be paying more for their upkeep. Also, high-gas-mileage vehicles have less detrimental environmental impact which saves the state money in environmental clean up costs. There are more arguments against the fairness of the new proposed tax plan but I am against all taxes some I’m not going to argue the merits of any one form of taxation against another.

My issue is with the state mandating the installation of GPS devices that it will have access to (control over) into private vehicles. Besides GPS systems are not only transmitters, they are also receivers. The natural progression of things like this is to integrate it into the legal system, first to combat drunk driving…who would argue with that? Hell since the technology is there anyway. It would either be part of or replace the lock out system. Those convicted of DUI or DWI will have to allow them disable their cars if/when it registers as driving erratically. They always start with the drunks. They trample all over our rights first then come for the rest of you. The next step is to disable cars in the act of or immediately after traffic violations. Next cops will be able to call in plates and have those cars disabled. From there the pospects are limitless.

Then there is the issue of who will have access to this info. Imagine, repo-men, employers, wives, ex-wives…the government is not particularly protective of the data they acquire.

Below are some of the fun things that can be done with GPS systems, taken from www.gpsantitheftsystems.com

FEATURES
GPS Technology "Actions" are instructions you can send to your equipped vehicles, from any Internet access point or touch-tone phone.

Locate
Locate your vehicle (i.e., late, missing, stolen, etc.) and receive its location, speed and heading.

Door Unlock
Unlock the driver door of your vehicle and receive its location.

Disable (Immobilize)
Disable your vehicle’s starter if it is stolen and receive its location, speed and heading. The next time your vehicle’s ignition is turned off and then on, it will not start.

Enable
Once it is secure to do so, enable your vehicle’s starter from its disabled state.

Track
Trace the route your vehicle is traveling by receiving the location, speed and heading every five minutes for a total of thirty minutes.

GPS Technology Alerts
GPS Technology Alerts are automatic notifications of events, circumstances and conditions, which are constantly monitored and reported to you by any equipped vehicles.

Security Alarm (Early Theft Warning)
Obtain early indication of a possible vehicle theft by knowing when your car alarm is triggered and receive the location of the violation.

Unauthorized Movement (Early Theft Warning)
Automatically know when your vehicle has moved while the ignition is turned off (i.e., when being towed) and receive the location of the violation.

Vehicle Battery Disconnect (Early Theft Warning)
Know your vehicle’s battery has been tampered with, indicating a possible theft, and receive the location.

Excessive Speed
Deter dangerous driving habits by knowing when your vehicle is being driven at excessive speeds (i.e., 80 mph/128 kph for greater than one minute) and receive the location, speed and direction.

Border Crossing
Know when your vehicle has crossed the Canada-US or US-Mexico borders, indicating a possible theft, and receive the location, speed and direction.