Posted on 07/16/2012 9:19:35 PM PDT by Mackaywarrior
Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) are rallying this week to pass a bill known as the “Marketplace Fairness Act” that will impose sales tax on internet purchases under the bill of “Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief.” The new tax is a deadly spike being driven into our already handicapped economy. A tax on internet sales would harm America in a time when the economy is already fragile. Many companies have used the internet to sell their products in a quicker and more efficient means. Consumers will now see the prices they pay on sites such as Amazon.com go up and many e-based small business will go out. Much like the response to SOPA or any legislation meant to limit our freedoms (specifically internet freedoms), it is time for us to take immediate action.
States across the nation, where e-based commerce has a physical presence, are already making quiet deals that provide for a state internet tax with a promise that revenue will be used to fund much-needed improvements to infrastructure. So, do we take the side of e-based small business creating new jobs or do we put our faith into state political machines that promise to do the things they promised to do before? Below is a list of people and states in support of this new tax. If this list does not include a state of yours, remind your government officials of your opinion on the issue.
Arkansas Missouri New Jersey Michigan New York South Carolina California Texas Colorado Tennessee Connecticut Virginia Florida Nevada Kentucky Ohio Illinois Pennsylvania
Internet users of America, rise up and stop our government from passing the “Marketplace Fairness Act.”. Call your local representative, governor, senator, and anyone else that needs to hear how dangerous a tax on the internet can be. Spread the word. Use the internet (usage not yet taxed) and see for yourself what the government is trying to pass by without the knowledge of the people. Keep in mind, it was not just taxes that lead to the American Revolution but the idea of taxation without representation. Ask yourself if you truly feel represented by your government.
. . . and Chris Christie. :-(
This tax applies only if the item you are buying is available from a brick and mortar outlet in your state. That seems fair to me. I frequently visit golf retail stores to check on various models of golf clubs, then buy the items on internet without sales tax. This is obviously harmful to the stores. If I was required to pay sales tax, I would not be partial to internet sales. I do need the brick & mortar stores to be able actually feel and visually check out the merchandise.
The danger I see is making the small internet company know the tax rates for 50 different states plus territories and be their tax collector. I’d almost rather see one uniform internet tax than a hodgepodge of different state taxes.
I’m not a fan of internet taxes but it is one of those issues where both sides of the coin have a good argument. Why should finite small businesses be forced to charge a sales tax to someone who walks into their store while internet businesses do not charge those who buy online? On the other hand, why should internet commerce be burdened by the regulations of myriad taxing authorities?
I’d rather see governments try to live within their means than invent new taxes but the reality is that government will need to create some new revenue streams if it has any chance of paying off the enormous debts we have run up over the past 20 years.
sorry but in fairness to local merchants, I think that internet sales should be taxed the same as local sales.
I think in fairness of businesses we should get rid of sales tax all together. This idea of tax everything and spend even more just is not working.
I think in fairness of businesses we should get rid of sales tax all together.”
Except that in Texas we don’t pay state income tax or sales tax on groceries. I would rather keep things just like they are for our state. At least I can choose not to buy something if I don’t want to pay sales tax.
What right does the government have to take what I have trade my limited life time for. So that they can build infrastructure that I may or may not benefit from. Charge the people who use that instead of everyone. Or better yet how about we privatize instead of letting the government steal from the people it is meant to protect from theft and harm.
bfl
Good article but this sounds awkward:
If this list does not include a state of yours, remind your government officials of your opinion on the issue.
Did you mean "does include your state"...?
Oh, gee... let me think.
Think... think... think...
SCREW THE BLOATED STATES!
The solution for increased competitiveness? Lower state sales taxes.
sfl
wrong solution...sales taxes are the only fair taxes that there are. Everybody pays them, prostitutes, drug dealers, con men, robbers, thieves,millionaires, those paid under the table, illegal aliens, EVERYONE who buys anything pays sales tax. Many of the above mentioned occupations pay no income tax at all. Does the drug dealer pay income tax.....nope, but when he buys gold teeth or a Mercedes, he pays sales tax.
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