"Conservative" Republicans for Taxing the Internet

[BucEyedPea]

“Anti-Tax” GOP: Republican Senate Members Support Internet Tax.

While Republicans say they are for economic freedom, low taxes, and deregulation, the Senate passage of the Budget Resolution proves the opposite.

At 6:47 pm on Friday the roll-call was tallied for the “Internet Sales Tax” amendment (#656) — sponsored by Wyoming Republican Mike Enzi — revealing that it passed with the support of twenty-six Republicans (listed below).

Enzi’s amendment is essentially the “Marketplace Fairness Act” (S.336/H.R.684) in a different form.

In short, this amendment’s passage just goes to show how far big government “conservatives” are willing to go in broad daylight.

Do these “conservatives” really think that the Johnny Taxpayer wants to be surrender more of his dollars to government while shopping online — the last place to get the majority of goods tax-free? Do they think that states and businesses want more bureaucracy to deal with?

http://www.conservativeactionalerts....-internet-tax/

Fewer taxes are always good for individuals. It’s a simple concept. Think of it this way: Do you think any retail shop would ever stimulate sales by placing signs in their windows saying, “Today Only – Pay 15% More!” Absolutely not. But this is exactly what government wants to do through taxes — and businesses online will suffer for it.

While the Enzi’s internet tax initiative will likely die as an Amendment — it will get shot down in the House — it will probably pass the Senate under its original name: “the Marketplace Fairness Act.”

http://www.conservativeactionalerts....-internet-tax/

[BucEyedPea]

I like this last bit in the same link most:

Marginalia: Our pledge says “Liberty and Justice for all” — not “Liberty and Fairness.” Let it be said that fairness — especially fairness by government force — is the enemy of justice. If we want a free society we don’t want government-mandated fairness.

[RaiderH8r]

That's some ****ed up shit right there.

[KChiefer]

It's not "taxing the internet," it's trying to implement a sales-tax to protect local business. Not saying I like it, just calling out the misleading thread title.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by KChiefer

It's not "taxing the internet," it's trying to implement a sales-tax to protect local business. Not saying I like it, just calling out the misleading thread title.

BEP's pretty much batting 1.000 on the thread titles. You would think, just by accident, she might write an accurate one every once in a while.

[fan4ever]

Originally Posted by KChiefer

It's not "taxing the internet," it's trying to implement a sales-tax to protect local business. Not saying I like it, just calling out the misleading thread title.

On-line companies argue that the tax will put them at a huge disadvantage competitively because of shipping costs. The fact the customer doesn't pay sales tax evens the boat with local retailers who charge tax but no shipping of costs course. At least on the surface I can appreciate that argument.

[Thatguy]

If this was from the POTUS all you would hear is crying and whimpering while you cried "socialism.. socialism."

[oldandslow]

Originally Posted by fan4ever

On-line companies argue that the tax will put them at a huge disadvantage competitively because of shipping costs. The fact the customer doesn't pay sales tax evens the boat with local retailers who charge tax but no shipping of costs course. At least on the surface I can appreciate that argument.

True...but no sales tax for online sales put local businesses at a huge disadvantage. I fall on the side of local business and agree with these fine republicans.

And I don't know what the hell BEP is talking about with the justice versus fairness argument...

according to webster's dictionary, the definition of justice is "the quality of being just, impartial, or fair."

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justice

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by KChiefer

It's not "taxing the internet," it's trying to implement a sales-tax to protect local business. Not saying I like it, just calling out the misleading thread title.

It's taxing the internet even if it's to protect local business. One is the name of the action, the other, yours is the purpose for it. You have your categories mixed up.

However, I disagree with your stated purpose....the federal govt is needing more and more revenue. It's not like such businesses are getting the services of from the other states as much as a local one. They pay taxes in their own state.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Thatguy

If this was from the POTUS all you would hear is crying and whimpering while you cried "socialism.. socialism."

Sale taxes aren't socialism. Income taxes are. Redistribution is. It also depends on what the revenue needed is for. I'm sure it's for supporting our welfare/warfare state. Ya' know a fairly socialist system already in place.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by oldandslow

True...but no sales tax for online sales put local businesses at a huge disadvantage. I fall on the side of local business and agree with these fine republicans.

That's right it's a huge advantage. One that should be extended to all businesses not just internet sales.
In the meantime, Amazon is a growing company whereas others, that are taxed more aren't. Proof is in the results. You can't have your cake and eat it too without businesses thriving.It's also a good example of how less govt and competition aids the consumer and keeps businesses going...even thriving.

But none of this obviously is the point.The point is that this is what Conservative Republicans claim to not support.

And I don't know what the hell BEP is talking about with the justice versus fairness argument...

Well, I wasn't talking about it. I just said I liked it.

according to webster's dictionary, the definition of justice is "the quality of being just, impartial, or fair."

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justice

Fair is one of those words that relies on context and unfortunately has some subjectivity connected to it. Regarding government it means treating everyone the same under the law. It does not mean unequal laws for equal results which is how egalitarians from the left use it.

So if you really want to be fair—you'd support keeping the internet free from sales tax and extending to the rest. I mean it's not like these businesses are getting as many, if any, services from the govt's of other states' besides the state they are located in. It has nothing to do with the federal govt except that it's getting bigger all the time and therefore greedier for revenue.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by fan4ever

On-line companies argue that the tax will put them at a huge disadvantage competitively because of shipping costs. The fact the customer doesn't pay sales tax evens the boat with local retailers who charge tax but no shipping of costs course. At least on the surface I can appreciate that argument.

Good point.

[Brainiac]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

It's taxing the internet even if it's to protect local business. One is the name of the action, the other, yours is the purpose for it. You have your categories mixed up.

However, I disagree with your stated purpose....the federal govt is needing more and more revenue. It's not like such businesses are getting the services of from the other states as much as a local one. They pay taxes in their own state.

You missed the point regarding why your thread title is misleading. This isn't "taxing the Internet". It's the taxing of sales transactions that take place over the Internet.

"Taxing the Internet" implies something very different from that. It would be like saying that sales taxes for brick and mortar stores are "taxing the streets and sidewalks".

There's a lot more involved with the Internet than just online sales.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Brainiac

You missed the point regarding why your thread title is misleading. This isn't "taxing the Internet". It's the taxing of sales transactions that take place over the Internet.

I call that a distinction without a difference.

"Taxing the Internet" implies something very different from that. It would be like saying that sales taxes for brick and mortar stores are "taxing the streets and sidewalks".

There's a lot more involved with the Internet than just online sales.

So. You can still read the article's title once you look inside can't you? And the article for the details?
You're just splitting hairs.

[RaiderH8r]

Originally Posted by oldandslow

True...but no sales tax for online sales put local businesses at a huge disadvantage. I fall on the side of local business and agree with these fine republicans.

And I don't know what the hell BEP is talking about with the justice versus fairness argument...

according to webster's dictionary, the definition of justice is "the quality of being just, impartial, or fair."

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justice

It kills me that when the logical fallout of a state sales tax policy plays itself out the answer isn't to re-examine the state policy that is driving business away but to try to implement the same failed policy in other states where they had the foresight to forego such policies.

I grew up in Montana. People from Wyoming flock to Billings to do their retail shopping on a regular basis. I now live in Northern Virginia. I love going to Delaware and skipping sales tax. People have done this since sales taxes were put in place. If you're failing at the competition for market share against other states fix your own basket instead of shitting in somebody else's.