I have people riding my fucking ass while I’m driving 5 mph over the speed limit on rural rods. They will get up in my fucking grill as if I’ve personally offended them.

I used to work with paramedics. If these nutjobs don’t get squished this year, they will eventually. Of the hundreds of crashes I’ve responded to, they always thought they were right. Didn’t stop them from being paralyzed or losing their best friends.

Life is fucking short. You can think snow tires or front wheel drive will save you, and even bet on it. It will still be my friends shoveling your corpse off the road. But hey, if you think your ego is big enough to save you ¯_(ツ)_/¯ be my guest.

As someone who grew up around refineries/what is now called Cancer Alley, we do not want this here. I promise you government and corporate entities do not truly research or care about long-term health effects. I have lost SO MANY friends to cancer 20-30 years old. Stomach, lungs, brain, bones. You can say it’s coincidence, but the math doesn’t add.

I understand that oil/gas refineries are different from mining operations, but the point is that when there’s a buck to be made, no one cares about the long-term health of workers and locals.

But not entirely. You are completely missing my point. Highways exist for a reason - because they are the fastest (and in snow safest) roads. It doesn’t matter if locals can get an EZ pass and a discount. I’m saying they shouldn’t have to pay that on top of their taxes. There are better, more egalitarian, and literally safer ways to fund roads, and that is about taxation and public policy.

Since you’re busy downvoting me, I’ll ask why you’re so emphatic that Mainers pay extra money? You do know that most states don’t have tolls, yes? Or is it that your view is so myopic and self-centered that only your experience is valid? Again, you’re luck you don’t have to commute long distances. Many of us do.

There are better ways to fund the roads, and to support locals.

Yes, that’s how taxes and public infrastructure works. You don’t pay for the roads you specifically drive on, you pay for the roads in your region. Obviously it’s much more complicated than that, but that’s general principle.

Look, if you can avoid the pike, good for you. But most Mainers can’t. Many of us commute, whether we like it or not. The highway is often the fastest (and in the winter safest) route.

I’m not suggesting raising taxes on you, bub, unless you’re a secret millionaire. I’m suggesting that rich people in this state (even part time) actually pay their share so the rest of us can drive in peace. Fun fact, toll plazas increase rates of vehicle accidents as well.

I HATE tolls. Yes, we should fund our roads, but that’s what taxes are for! A straight tax like a toll is regressive, meaning it costs a poor person more % of their income or wealth than a rich person. If we want to get more money from tourists, we should find another way. Personally, I just say raise taxes on rich people, especially folks who own a second (or third, or fourth) home in Maine.