Bacon's Rebellion

Taxing Internet Access

—

by

James A. Bacon
in

I should leave this to The Salt Lick, but he’s covering another important story. The Roanoke Times editorial page has come out against Sen. George Allen’s plan to keep internet access from being taxed. The Times compares Allen to George Armstrong Custer and tell us,

The information superhighway is now a maturing, extraordinarily competitive industry, more than economically resilient and strong enough to accept its civic responsibilities and begin contributing to the general welfare, as do other American industries.

Now, maybe I don’t understand all the ins and outs of internet taxation, but won’t I be paying the tax, not the “economically resilient and strong” internet industry?

Update: Commonwealth Conservative is more succinct.

Share this article

ADVERTISEMENT

(comments below)

Comments

Comments

  1. Salt Lick Avatar
    Salt Lick

    I always appreciate help with the Roanoke Times, Will. Every time I open it I feel like a fella with a double barreled shotgun who’s flushed eight birds.

  2. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Of course you will be paying the tax, Will, just as you pay the taxes directly and indirectly when you purchase a newspaper. I’ve got to admit at least some sympathy with a traditional manufacturer (which is what newspapers are) who find themselves in a death battle with a new technology that also enjoys a tax-free unlevel playing field.

  3. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    I have no problem paying a penny on my 25 cent newspaper, and I have no problem paying 40 cents a month tax on my internet access.

    When money flows, it should be taxed accordingly.

    Now, my farm loses around $7000 per year. I assure you, that under those conditions, if I was allowed to do anything else with my farm, I would do so. If you want to talk about a strong industry, that is taxed to the hilt, consider farms. My county proudly says that farms pa $3 in tax for every $1 in services they receive.

    If negative cash flow was taxed the same as positive cash flow, the community would owe me $280.

    What do you figurte my chances are?

  4. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Now…I recently purchased 12 pairs of socks on the internet. I was charged 5% sales tax – I assume, by the state of VA. IS this a separate issue?

  5. Salt Lick Avatar
    Salt Lick

    “The information superhighway is … strong enough to accept its civic responsibilities and begin contributing to the general welfare, as do other American industries.”

    I follow the reasoning inasmuch as internet industries use highways and airways to ship their goods and need security, both foreign and domestic. But I’m pretty sure “general welfare” as used by the Roanoke Times means a lot more than that. Certain studies show Virginia state employees work better in safari clothes.

  6. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    When will Richmond offer municiple-run, city-wide, wireless internet access?

    Philly, Minneapolis, S.F., etc are doing it, why not in Richmond?

    Think of money saved wiring schools, government buildings…

  7. Ray Hyde Avatar
    Ray Hyde

    Not only the cities, but at least one rural county in Oregon has done it. Some people will no doubt holler about yet more infrastructure to maintain, but as I recall the story this county saw it as a service primarily and and economic development tool second.

Leave a Reply

ADVERTISEMENT