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Missouri Republican Wants Violent Video Game Tax

Posted by Soulskill on from the guns-don't-kill-people,-imaginary-guns-do dept.

New submitter sHr0oMaN writes with news that Diane Franklin, a Republican member of Missouri's state House of Representatives, has proposed a sales tax on violent video games. The proposal, HB0157I, is one of many responses to the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The proceeds from the tax would go toward mental health programs and law enforcement in the hopes that future shootings can be prevented. The total amount taxed would be small — 1% — and would be applied to video games rated Teen, Mature, or Adult-only by the ESRB. Of course, many games earn the "Teen" rating without having violence in them, like Guitar Hero. The Entertainment Software Association responded to Rep. Franklin's bill with a statement: "Taxing First Amendment protected speech based on its content is not only wrong, but will end up costing Missouri taxpayers."

3 of 506 comments (clear)

  1. Elephants *do* forget by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    A Republican wants a tax? Someone is about to receive a pair of "Norquist galoshes".

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    Table-ized A.I.
  2. Video Game Tax by technomom · · Score: 5, Funny

    Right. Because nothing says Republican idea of small government more than taxing video games does. Thanks, dude.

  3. Gonna be one odd IRS application to write: by Tablizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sample Game Tax List:
    $0.03 per ounce of blood visible
    Spleen visible: $1
    Spleen split/burst: $3
    Brain visible: $2.50
    Brain split/burst: $5
    Heart visible: $2
    Heart split/burst: $4
    Intestine visible: $1.75
    Intestine split/burst: $3.75
    Choking/strangulation using intestine: $8
    Choking/strangulation using victim's own intestine: $12
    Flying eyeball: $2 per ball
    Decapitation: $3 per head
    Robot death: $0.30

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    Table-ized A.I.