Only in California: Councilman proposes email tax to fund postal service

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Watchdog – by Dustin Hurst

A city councilman in Berkeley, Calif., wants to take the government from an ominous Big Brother peering over your should to a plunderer with his hand deeper in your pocket.

Berkeley city councilman Gordon Wozniak raised some eyebrows this week when he proposed a “tiny tax” on email to fund the United States Postal Service.

Here’s the rundown, via Berkelyside:

Wozniak told the council: “There should be something like a bit tax. I mean a bit tax could be a cent per gigabit and they would still make, probably, billions of dollars a year… And there should be, also, a very tiny tax on email,” perhaps one-hundredth of a cent. He said this would discourage spam and not have much impact on the typical Internet user. Wozniak went on to suggest a sales tax on internet transactions that could help, in part, fund “vital functions that the post office serves.”

Of course, Wozniak has absolutely no power to enact such a measure, which would likely hamper business communications.

The USPS lost more than $15 billion last year and is struggling to find ways to regain profitability. Earlier this year, the floundering agency announced that in August it will end regular Saturday mail delivery.

The agency threw a curveball when just days later it announced the creation of its own line of clothing to be sold in upscale department stores. The line, named “Rain Heat and Snow,” should appear on shelves sometime in 2014.

Wozniak’s absurd proposal begs a question: If the government taxed email,wouldn’t users – i.e. the market – find a way to avoid the cost? Maybe Facebook messages?

Or maybe Wozniak wants to tax those, too.

http://watchdog.org/73635/only-in-ca...ostal-service/

Wow, really?

[listopencil]

A couple of troubling points:

1) I don't like the idea of taxing technology to support older technology

2) As I understand things, the USPS is required to fund a retirement account in a way that is different than other agencies. Without that requirement they'd be fine.

3) I have been drinking a lot of rum and Dr. Pepper. I'll check tomorrow to see if any of this makes sense.

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Originally Posted by listopencil

A couple of troubling points:

1) I don't like the idea of taxing technology to support older technology

2) As I understand things, the USPS is required to fund a retirement account in a way that is different than other agencies. Without that requirement they'd be fine.

3) I have been drinking a lot of rum and Dr. Pepper. I'll check tomorrow to see if any of this makes sense.

If this were a subroutine 3 would take precedence over 1 and 2, good night and enjoy your deep sleep.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

If this were a subroutine 3 would take precedence over 1 and 2, good night and enjoy your deep sleep.

Here comes the Ambien walrus, he's calling me home. Farewell.

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Originally Posted by listopencil

Here comes the Ambien walrus, he's calling me home. Farewell.

Heh, sleep thee well for tomorrow is a brand new day.

[CoMoChief]

You're a racist if you dont support the post office!
-liberals-