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California Considering More Internet Taxes
dcg writes "San Francisco Chronicle is reporting on how web taxes could help the states, especially California, with its budget woes. One particularly disconcerting comment is from California's Controller Steve Westly. 'In addition to sales taxes, Westly said he is considering a tax on Internet access like those that appear on telephone bills. He also is looking at a tax on software downloads.' Would this affect only purchased software, or could sourceforge.net become a source of revenue for the state..."
Why don't they just tax the tax revenue? There'd be a recursive loop and money FOREVER!
Life is the leading cause of death in America.
I can imagine my statement:
You have downloaded: SupAR WArEZ!!! $0.50c
You have downloaded warez, and and broken copyright laws: $5000
Also, doesn't it defy the entire point of the internet? (apart from nuclear safty) a free database of information for the education of the people?
Why doesn't the federal government help CA out, we 'were' a major source of taxes, all we need is a break. Sigh...
They'll also be implementing a double-vision tax for people with more than one eye, who could potentially view internet content up to double the amount of times and still only get taxed for it once.
GMFTaxsujin
I have a better idea for getting California out of its budget problems. Shake Gray Davis upside-down until his campaign donations fall out.
It's not their fault they have no fiscal discipline!
Get with the friggin' program!
It's the fault of the evil corporatists who exploit the citizens of california by providing them with high paying jobs and great products and merchandise, forcing them into a culture of consumerism. It's the fault of the wealthy exploiters who evade their tax obligations! It's the fault of McDonald's because they sold hamburgers to people who consumed them and got fat and have health problems! The citizens didn't know that eating 3 fatty burgers a day and a large Chocolate Shake with every meal could kill! They were innocent!
It's the fault of the gun companies because they sold guns to the criminals--forcing them to commit crimes and thus forcing california to build prisons!
If only California were more like Europe. Stupid American capitalist bastard! You are so simple! You just don't get it!
Blame someone else, that way you look really intellectual!
In addition to sales taxes, Westly said he is considering a tax on Internet access like those that appear on telephone bills. He also is looking at a tax on software downloads.
Heh, software downloads would undoubtedly apply to JavaScript, since JavaScript is software. I can see it now, Granny blunders into a porno site and after experiencing a JavaScript blitzkrieg winds up owing the state of California $47.86.
BTM
That was the turning point of my life--I went from negative zero to positive zero.
Let's tax all political contributions!
Bribes must be doubly taxed!
Well, they have to get the money to pay for all those Oracle licenses somewhere...
"I know as well as anyone how much we owe the tech industry, but what are the geeks going to do if we piss them off with Internet taxes? Leave?"
-- California governor Gray Davis at a private dinner
"Why does my homepage say '3y3 0wnZ0rr j00 gr3y d@v1Z!'? What does that mean, exactly?"
-- California governor Gray Davis, looking at his computer in three months.
California will now be able to buy more copies of Oracle.
And no gun control!!! This is sounding better already-- I've always wanted a full-auto MP5!
In that sentence, I did not and I no longer will contradict myself.
Forget the whales - save the babies.
The problem is that their heads are too firmly shoved up their own (or each other's) asses. So what you're saying is that liberals and conservatives have at least one thing in common?
You can only drink 30 or 40 glasses of beer a day, no matter how rich you are.
-- Colonel Adolphus Busch