Funding roads (taxes, user fees etc)

[SammyOES]

In some cases I agree fully with the way things are; in others I think they should be tweaked; in others I think major changes should be made; and in still others I’m not even sure what I think should be done. But it is a fact that the above-mentioned services operate on a non-cost-recovery basis and it’s impossible to discuss rationally whether this is the right way to run things without people acknowledging this.

I acknowledge that they don't operate on a complete cost recovery basis.

I don't think you've ever acknowledged that thats not even remotely the same thing as:

- drivers do not pay (much) to use the local roads
- drivers do not pay (much) to use the highways

I could be wrong when I say you're being intentional with your error here. But I think your posting on this forum shows that you're easily smart enough (and precise enough with language) to know your claim in the first quote is in no way justification for your claims in the second quote.

And, of course, this distinction is really important to having a meaningful conversation about paying for roads.

Edit: I find this conversation so intriguing because it seems so very obvious to me. Nobody would try to say "Netflix viewers do not pay to use Netflix".