Some US States Propose GPS Tracking for All Cars.

The insidious angle here is obvious and predictable (to me at least), not giving up your rights to be safe from fear of 'terror' but rather to be safe from fear of going broke. More of a 'hearts and wallets' approach.

Massachusetts may consider a mileage charge

By GLEN JOHNSON

BOSTON (AP) — A tentative plan to overhaul Massachusetts' transportation system by using GPS chips to charge motorists a quarter-cent for every mile behind the wheel has angered some drivers.

"It's outrageous, it's kind of Orwellian, Big Brotherish," said Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, who drafted legislation last week to prohibit the practice. "You'd need a whole new department of cronies just to keep track of it."

But a "Vehicle Miles Traveled" program like the one the governor may unveil this week has already been tested — with positive results — in Oregon.

Governors in Idaho and Rhode Island, as well as the federal government, also are talking about such programs. And in North Carolina, a panel suggested in December the state start charging motorists a quarter-cent for every mile as a substitute for the gas tax.

(from AP - read more)