Read My Lips: No Internet Taxes
from the bad-ideas dept
Yet another argument against the idea of taxing e-commerce online (which, by the way, includes an example of how confusing the tax codes are by discussing edible underwear). His point is basically that it would hurt the e-commerce world. The other side argues that with the hurting economy, the states need the extra cash. The writer's response is that everyone is hurting in the present economy, and have to learn to live within their means. Why should the state governments be any different? Of course, I think both of these arguments completely miss the point. What's the real rationale for having a sales tax? In general, it's to support the infrastructure needed to have commerce. However, the state governments weren't the ones who paid for the internet - so it's a little harder to justify why they deserve sales tax for those purchases other than that they just want more cash.
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State budgets...
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No Subject Given
As an example: If most (if not all states) fine an automobile driver for exceeding the speed limit, then why is this fine doubled in a construction zone? I have heard of at least one of our representatives proposing to double traffice fines for offences that occurr in a school zone! Our elected representatives do not get the message: We have to live within our income--our government should set the example and do the same. I would like to go to my boss and tell him that since I have increased my expenditures, that he must increase my income to make up for the deficit. See how far I get with that one!
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State governments deserve the money
- they passed anti-spam legislation and need the money to enforce it.
- they support the commercial infrastructure (highways, consumer protection, etc.) and e-commerce is a beneficiary of it.
- e-commerce deserves no special privileges over other industries.
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