Looks like we dodged 1 Bullit on Internet Sales Tax

[grsthegreat]

I will never understand why they have to have more money? Why can't they spend less, be responsible and eliminate waste?

Eddie

+++ couldnt agree more. MAKE them live within their budgets and not spend like theres no tomorrow. I dont feel bad about not paying or collecting sales tax. never will

 

[grsthegreat]

Lets get real here... most "sales taxes" fund state governments... I would not mind a minimal (say 2%-3%) federal Internet sales tax if it was guaranteed with 100% transparency to fund elements that ALL Americans benefit from... JMO

my top choices for said taxes to fund..(not necessarily in ideal order)

>Space program
>Reduce deficit
>Rewarding educators with proven results ( 76% of Detroit's/Chicago's 8th graders can't read worth a ****)
>Support for enforcing existing immigration laws
>Support for eliminating gov. fraud and waste

list goes on and on....

ok come on.. 100% transparency .....like that will ever happen. our govt could care less where OUR money is spent.

 

[Jstpssng]

Hey, you didn't step on my toes, I am joking too I recently realize that if we wanted to stop waste and fraud and cronyism in gumment, all of us together, could not do anything about it. As the old saying goes: Too Late "The horse is already out of the barn" Ken Sweet

Gotcha. :thumbsup: It just seems like these days ALL government expenditures are bad... truth is I really appreciate having roads to drive, and the security of knowing that when I get home at night somebody else hasn't claimed my home as theirs. I don't even mind giving up a little to insure that someone can eat, who otherwisr would go hungry...

 

[/pine]

ok come on.. 100% transparency .....like that will ever happen. our govt could care less where OUR money is spent.

That's why I think that if you don't actually pay federal income tax you should not allowed to vote for anyone that has the power to spend the revenue generated by said taxes...

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I will never understand why they have to have more money? Why can't they spend less, be responsible and eliminate waste?

Eddie

Eddie it takes a lot of money to buy votes.

We just watched the movie Lincoln and saw how much it cost to buy votes to get the 13th amendment passed.

 

[jerrybob]

Eddie is absolutely correct.......our spending is out of control. The attached is a long read but worth the time......incredible waste going on per one of our Senators.......

http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public...&File_id=b7b23f66-2d60-4d5a-8bc5-8522c7e1a40e

 

[caver]

A lawyer in Missouri bought a boat, motor and trailer from Maryland. He paid the local MO sales tax and then applied for a refund. He took it all the way to the MO Supreme Court....and won.
The story is HERE

 

[Pops15]

While Mr. Morris is against the sales tax on internet purposes based on Constitutional reason there is another side to the story. The local and state governments are loosing a tremendous amount of revenue due to internet purchases. Since they are out of money they must find other ways to raise revenues like higher fees for registering you vehicles. Higher property taxes. And they are raising sales taxes on the stuff you buy locally.

On Cyber Monday the sales numbers hit $2 Billion. At a conservative sales tax rate of 5% that equates to $100 Million in lost revenue. The local and states need to make this up somewhere?????

Jack

I didn't watch the video so I don't know if Mr. Morris concerns are valid but I can't think of a good reason to violate the Constitution.
Local and state governments have already raised taxes to make up for shortfalls. A county near me just raised property taxes 29%. IL raised income taxes twice that amount a few years ago. Does anyone actually think they would lower taxes if the internet sales tax was passed?

MANY internet sales are already taxed. In state purchases are taxed. SOME out of state sales are taxed as well.

IF a Federal internet sales tax went into effect how would they determine how to distribute it fairly to make up for the supposed shortfall to state and local governments? A few years ago when the internet sales tax was being discussed I read there are over 7000 different sales tax authorities in the US. Oversight and distribution would be expensive.

I will never understand why they have to have more money? Why can't they spend less, be responsible and eliminate waste?

Eddie

They have to have more money so more people can be on the dole. The more they have on various forms of public aid, the more votes they are guaranteed in future elections.

That's why I think that if you don't actually pay federal income tax you should not allowed to vote for anyone that has the power to spend the revenue generated by said taxes...

BINGO!!!! We have a winner!!!!!

 

[EarPlug]

I will never understand why they have to have more money? Why can't they spend less, be responsible and eliminate waste?

Eddie

I totally agree with spend less and eliminate the waste, but that is a different argument. But it not necessarily about "more money" but "lost money".

A local government is just like a business (at least it should be run like one!) just like yours. Now, just for argument sake let's assume that Tyler, Texas is run very efficiently. They budgeted paying for running the town, city, state etc. based on tax revenues. Some of it from "sales tax". Now a portion of that money is lost to non taxable internet sales. The choice is to either raise other taxes or fee's and/or cut services. What services should we cut - roads, water & sewer, police & fire?

In your business you have budgeted for you expenses and profit. Then used that information to decide on how much to charge your customers for the products and services (revenue) to successfully run your business and provide you with an income. If something changes in your revenue stream like let's say your customer buys their own material. You no longer get the markup on materials (tax). How will you change your business model to adjust for the lost revenue?

Just for the record, I have a business too and the majority of my customers are out of state and don't pay sales tax on their purchases from me. Another argument is how is it fair that my in-state customers pay sales tax but the others don't?

Jack

 

[aczlan]

I totally agree with spend less and eliminate the waste, but that is a different argument. But it not necessarily about "more money" but "lost money".
A local government is just like a business (at least it should be run like one!) just like yours. Now, just for argument sake let's assume that Tyler, Texas is run very efficiently. They budgeted paying for running the town, city, state etc. based on tax revenues. Some of it from "sales tax". Now a portion of that money is lost to non taxable internet sales. The choice is to either raise other taxes or fee's and/or cut services. What services should we cut - roads, water & sewer, police & fire?

So, where should the tax be paid to? Lets say that Mike's Outdoor Emporium in Greece, NY also has a website and sells $100k in stuff in the store, then another $50k online to people who live in Tyler TX.
Who should get paid the sales tax on those items? Should Tyler TX get a cut because someone there purchased something? Should the state of TX get a cut? How about the state of NY? How about Greece NY?

Aaron Z