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Senator Warns of Email Tax This Fall

Posted by kdawson on from the maybe-this-time-for-real dept.

cnet-declan writes "State and local governments in Washington this week began an all-out lobbying push for the power to tax the Internet, according to our article at News.com. A new Senate bill would usher in Internet sales taxes, and the Federation of Tax Administrators (representing state tax collectors) advised senators at a hearing on Wednesday not to renew a temporary moratorium limiting broadband taxes that expires in November. One irked Republican senator warned that unless the moratorium is renewed, we could start seeing email taxes by the end of the year. Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey blames it on the Democrats taking over, as do Yahoo and eBay lobbyists. Is this a non-hoax version of bill 602P?"

15 of 552 comments (clear)

  1. Well then... by Organic+Brain+Damage · · Score: 4, Funny

    we'll just tax the 1's and leave the 0's free?

    If it's an out-bound tax, could it be used to make SPAM economically unrewarding?

  2. Well, why not just by Bananatree3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    put a toll meter on one of the Tubes. Voila!

    1. Re:Well, why not just by AKAImBatman · · Score: 3, Funny

      I will use my EZ Pass so I don't have to stop when driving through the internets

      SLOW DOWN AHEAD! 35Kbps through the toll!
      --
      Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
    2. Re:Well, why not just by guruevi · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well, if it's in New York state, they would require actually two people sitting there manually charging you every time you pass each way instead of automating it.

      --
      Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
  3. DAMNIT! by C_Kode · · Score: 4, Funny

    If they start taxing Email I will just start using Gmail!

    Now take that you bastards!

    1. Re:DAMNIT! by Rob+the+Bold · · Score: 4, Funny

      If they start taxing Email I will just start using Gmail!

      One step at a time, dude. First switch to Fmail, then Gmail.

      --
      I am not a crackpot.
  4. Dump Trucks by Octopus · · Score: 2, Funny

    If Al Gore had invented the Internets as a bunch of dump trucks, it would be much easier to implement a tollbooth system. With all the maintenance it takes to clear up the tube system, it makes the true cost more abstract and difficult to quantify.

    However, look at it this way - it will help create more government Internets jobs. Emails have to be cleaned because video packets leave color smudges on the envelopes; so many germs are passed on online money transactions and those UV cleaners have to be maintained; phishing sites are constantly scanned by Fish and Wildlife; and pr0n doesn't create itself.

    This could be a good thing in the long run.

  5. Sorry... by dreddnott · · Score: 5, Funny

    That would only be one step at a time if you were starting with Ebmail or switching to F#mail, then G#mail.

    At least G#mail is pretty upscale compared to Email.

    --
    I may make you feel, but I can't make you think.
    1. Re:Sorry... by MadMidnightBomber · · Score: 2, Funny

      I use GBDMail, and I find it strikes a chord with a lot of my friends too.

      --
      "It doesn't cost enough, and it makes too much sense."
    2. Re:Sorry... by interiot · · Score: 4, Funny

      Upgrading from Email to Gmail resulted in Minor issues that made me sad.

  6. Re:two things by dosius · · Score: 2, Funny

    My PC is my e-mail server.

    -uso.

    --
    What you hear in the ear, preach from the rooftop Matthew 10.27b
  7. Re:Fine: Define email by operagost · · Score: 3, Funny

    They still don't get it, the Internet is not this easily defined thing that you can wrap thier minds around
    It's definitely not a truck you can just dump stuff on, either.
    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  8. Re:Fine: Define email by Lockejaw · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, when was the last time you sent data by truck? You're supposed to use a bus.

    --
    (IANAL)
  9. Re:The internet is pregnant? by HTTP+Error+403+403.9 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Ted, if you could please consistantly say that are completely stupid and crazy, it would make things much easier for me. Unless of course you want an impregnable ban on taxes of the internet because you are worried that the internet will get pregnant. In that case, dear sir carry on!
    Couldn't the Internet just get its tubes tied?
    --
    I'm not a Troll, it's reverse psychology.
  10. Re:Fine: Define email by MagusSlurpy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Do you ever wish there was a "Depressing" mod option? ;)

    --
    My sister opened a computer store in Hawaii. She sells C shells by the seashore.