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FTC Staff Discuss a Tax on Electronics To Support the News Business

Posted by timothy on from the now-that's-what-I-call-top-down-management dept.

dptalia links to this piece describing a staff discussion draft from the Federal Trade Commission, writing "The FTC is concerned about the death of the 'news.' Specifically newspapers. Rather than look to how old media models can be adapted to the Internet, they instead suggest taxing consumer electronics to support a huge newspaper bailout. Additionally, they suggest making facts 'proprietary' and allowing news organizations to copyright them." Note, though, "The good news in all this is that the FTC's bureaucrats try hard to recommend little. They just discuss. And much of what the agency staff ponders are political impossibilities."

8 of 381 comments (clear)

  1. Start laughing now... by CTalkobt · · Score: 5, Interesting
    If this does pass I think it would be quickly repealed over the loud howling noises as people realize it passes.

    This would essentially put the government in charge of choosing which press agencies to sponser... Dangerous precedent...

    --
    There's a gorilla from Manilla whose a fella that stinks of vanilla and has salmonella.
  2. Let them Die by airwedge1 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why are we always so concerned with keeping companies in business. We didn't try to artificially keep wagon wheel business alive when cars were invented. This is absurd, if a company can no longer sell something, sell something else, or die off.

    1. Re:Let them Die by oodaloop · · Score: 5, Funny

      What are you, some kind of capitalist?

      --
      Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
    2. Re:Let them Die by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I just got a mental image of a horse looking over at his fellow horse and saying "They took yer job!"

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  3. Bail Me Out Please by whisper_jeff · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am utterly blown away at hoe often the government is willing to step in and save failing business models. Car companies refusing to evolve, media companies failing to evolve, and more. Last time I checked, we live in a capitalist society where companies that succeed, in one way or another, are rewarded and companies that fail, for whatever reason, are supposed to go out of business. I can understand and be empathetic towards companies that have their business destroyed because of the actions of another, such as fishermen having their livelihoods wiped out because of BP's oil leak. Those businesses deserve some intervention to help them get through the rough time that is no fault of their own. Companies that fail to innovate, however, and end up watching their balance sheets shift more and more downwards? Nah. Sorry. You tried and failed. You don't have a right to be in business, just because. You have to work hard and succeed, just like the rest of us.

    Failing businesses should be allowed to fail. Someone will figure out a successful business model and will fill the void or a market that no longer needs to exist (hello buggy whips) will fade into the history books.

  4. Stop. Just... stop. by aztektum · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Dear Washington,

    You're doing it wrong.

    Thanks,
    Everyone

    Seriously what the hell? Stop giving our money to greedy corporations. Want us to buy a house? Spend more on crap? Buy new cars? HOW CAN WE DO THAT WHEN YOU KEEP TAKING OUR $?

    OH wait. You'll just take it and give it to corps for free.

    Now, I am not a tax hater. I am fine with taxes for things like emergency services, libraries, roads, schools. The difference is those services provide for the public good. Forcing me to hand money over to your buddies at the "too big to fails" is bullshit. You crooked fucks.

    --
    :: aztek ::
    No sig for you!!
  5. But will they also bail out the typewriter makers? by Michael_gr · · Score: 5, Funny

    I mean, it's like totally unfair that PC manufacturers pulled the rug from under the typewriter business. I propose a tax on... let's see... yes! deodorants! and, uhhm, pipe wrenches! to save the typewriter business. And the monk scribes that used to copy books before that horrid man Gutenberg took their jobs away, they deserve some recompense. Let's tax... exotic pets.

  6. Want to save the news business? by blair1q · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Put a tax on lying.