Ban Internet Taxes
The temporary Federal ban on internet taxes expires on November 1st, 2007. If the moratorium is not extended, state and local governments will start adding taxes for your access to the internet. While another extension is the absolute minimum that is needed, what really needs to happen is a permanent ban. There should be no taxes on your access to the internet. Grover Norquist has a piece up at Real Clear Politics about it:
Luckily for taxpayers, there is bipartisan support for extending the current Internet tax moratorium permanently. Even state groups like the National Governor's Association support temporarily extending the ban on taxing the Internet.
However, there are already a handful of states that were allowed to keep the taxes they had on Internet users in place when the ban was originally approved in 1998. It comes as no surprise that more big-spending state governments are lining up to join them if the moratorium is allowed to lapse. Some states, like Michigan and Texas are claiming the right to tax Internet access now under their tax structure that targets the gross receipts of companies in their states.
Individuals logging on to stay in touch with family and friends would not be the only taxpayers hit by Internet taxation if the door is opened this fall. Small businesses are increasingly online. Taxing Internet access would add another layer onto the burden businesses already face. A heavier burden on businesses means a heavier restraint on economic growth, job creation and higher prices.
So why is an extension not enough? The specter of possible Internet taxation further down the road presents a disincentive to the same businesses and entrepreneurs that have brought the Internet this far to continue innovating.
Ed Morrisey has a video from Mitch McConnell up and has this to say:
Why would a federal ban apply? The Internet exemplifies interstate commerce, which places it under federal jurisdiction, even among the most ardent federalists. The entire intent of the Internet is to allow individuals to reach out to the global community. Oversight on tax policy that would discourage or limit that access rightly belongs to Congress.
Taxing the internet is bad for everyone, regardless of political leanings. Support a permanent ban on internet taxes.
By syn, Thursday, 4 October , 2007 @ 3:46 pm
But, if they spend the internet tax money on the embryonic stem cell research cure, it will benefit everyone! So this is a great tax and those who disagree that this scientific research will save everyone’s life and keep them young forever are evil neanderthal creationist!!!
At this point, if Americans are willing to throw out Republican porkers for being less porkers than Democrat porkers then they deserve the government they elected.
Like they said in 2006, ‘just to teach them a lesson’ I’m not going to bother showing up.
I can live without the internet and my business does not rely on it’s services in order for me to make a living.
By Jamelle, Thursday, 4 October , 2007 @ 5:39 pm
SYN,
I’m confused on where there is any mention of Democratic (that’s what you were getting at) support for a tax on the internet?
It’s my impression that most people are against an internet tax because it is a self-evidently bad idea.
And what does this, “At this point, if Americans are willing to throw out Republican porkers for being less porkers than Democrat porkers then they deserve the government they elected” even mean?
By Gaius, Thursday, 4 October , 2007 @ 5:52 pm
Actually, Jamelle, the Democratic leadership has not taken the issue up at all. The push is bi-partisan - to get the Democratic leadership moving and not let the ban expire quietly. I purposely toned that down because I do not want it as a partisan issue - this one should not be.
By purpleamerica, Friday, 5 October , 2007 @ 10:23 am
Also check out the petition at teammitch.com/petition.