Various states are trying to raise money during the recession.
So one state was considering a major raise in taxes on beer. Here is the link: Link
Another state is considering taxing Internet porn. Here is the link: Link
Do you think it is fair to have extra taxes on porn and beer?
Comments (152)
I could care less about the beer.
But not the porn! Nooooooooooooo!
lmao.
Um, sure?
I don’t see anything wrong with taxing alcohol and cigarettes more than other things. I smoke and drink and hate to pay the extra taxes but maybe it’ll one day convince me to quit
and in the mean time, raise the state some extra money for education preferably.
Fair in what sense? the Tax Code taxes all kinds of things for historical or public-policy reasons. Thy are luxuries after all, and so in the context of what we already do : yes it’s fair.
But there’s so much *free* porn on the ‘net….
PA is going to tax cigarettes again….my husband really needs to quit (that being the least of the reasons!)….The taxes don’t bother me…there could be worse taxes out there…
The state I live in is going to be adding more tax onto cigarettes. As for the beer I dont know. The porn, i could care less. ew.
YES!! Why? Because beer causes lots of accidents and violence. If people couldn’t afford the beer then accidents will be prevented. However, there may be increases in the stolen rate of beer. And porn. It’s….. horrible =__= And especially because I get spammed with them that I want them to die and burn to the ground.
Wait until they start putting higher taxes on our underwear.
It got really worrisome in Holland at one point, when at least some comedians were publicly starting to worry that the government was trying to tax having sex with your wife.
Perhaps if they collected the back taxes a bit more effeciently we wouldn’t be needing to tax the good stuff…
No but then the government will tax the poor any way it can.
While the rich hide their money in off shore accounts free from the tax man.
Wow
I was lucky thirteen thisw time LOL!!!
I think they’d make more off of taxing porn. But they’ll probably tax the hell out of both.
Yep we tax things society thinks are harmful at higher rates. So yes tax porn. A lot of money to be made there. And adding cost to all that free porn would be wonderful. With the IRS on them we would not be seeing so many little boys surfing free porn.
We can call it the whack tax.
You want to play (with it) you got to pay
@Shavanna - WTF,What about the people who drink when they are at home,like me who just drinks every now and then with my hubby AT HOME.
Ok,I agree with the porn part.
@Chesschick01 - There’s always the ups and downs although, in my own twisted logic, I see it as teens who are just starting to work (and are involved in a lot of accidents) can not afford that much beer whilst adults can at least those with a steady income. The tax shouldn’t be that high x.x I suppose. My logics twisted. Only I get it.
No, but since when is the government fair?
I’d rather they tax people who consume alcohol and porn, than taxing me.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - lmao agreed
and plus, it can stop alcholism if people cant pay for the extra taxes, i could care elss about porn
let people be perverted freaks
Yes, that’s ok.
Then that will just push the black market for porn and beer–do I need my hubby sneaking in more of that stuff? j/k =)
i think beer should be cheap and tax free, like water. YES! Make beer free like water!
@Shavanna - I understand!
@trunthepaige - the whack tax! ha, I just spit out my coffee over that
i thynk they shud tax babiez
I think it’s a good idea. Money’s gotta come from somewhere. Why not popular products?
You can’t tax something I steal for free on the internet, silly states.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - Exactly we can’t have it the way we really want it. (The way the constitution was set up) At least not now. So we can let them tax that which is a option in life. Things that we can live without. And do so at the production level.
@DrugInducedDuck - You can’t tax something I steal for free on the internet, silly states.
I hope you don’t steal Penthouses and Playboys from convience stores.
No– it’s absolutely unfair.
There is no real reason why beer drinkers and porn watcher should shoulder a general burden of the economy. We can form our own opinions of these people, but there’s no link between our moral judgment and special economic responsibility.
It’s not as if Jenna Jameson and Samuel Adams actually helped triggered the recession.
Politicians and moralists pick on these people because it’s popular and because it’s convenient. As disgusting as drunkards are and the porn industry is, this facade of righteousness is just as filthy.
@DrugInducedDuck - Oh yes you can, it is called a value added tax. Any untaxed porn is a crime, just like cigarettes.
Anytime I hear of a tax being put on anything, all I can think of is the ‘Boston Tea Party.’ When the English government was taxing the number of windows you had in your house, and the amount of paper you used, and even right down to the number of tea bags you used per day, the Colonists revolted. We, being the sophisticated, apathetic people that we have become will just sit back and let them tax away until our own paychecks show a deficit amount. What have we become?
Sure why not. Perhaps it’ll clean up the country a bit 8D.
@huginn - Unfair, yes, but if we have to tax something, why not tax the luxuries that we would like to reduce? You wouldn’t be opposed to a tax on yachts, so why complain about a tax on beer? Both are luxury items, but the latter will keep the extending government arm more in the public eye.
Also, chicago’s alcohol tax is already ridiculous. when I buy a beer, I pay 11.55% sales tax (highest in the nation), and an additional 1% food and beverage tax, and a 1% beer tax. that’s 13.55% of the original price I pay, not including the jacked up prices that the seller has to pay when purchasing from their supplier. Chicago likes to take all of my money, which I can’t get back because I’m unemployed an “don’t pay taxes.”
It wouldn’t bother, I can’t legally buy either of the two items.
@huginn - I said internets, lrn2read tbh.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - you wouldn’t be opposed to a tax on yachts, so why complain about a tax on beer?
Well, I’d have to look at where the funding goes. If it’s towads maintaining the harbors that hold the yachts– sure, it be kosher.
Unfair, yes, but if we have to tax something, why not tax the luxuries that we would like to reduce?
It’s fucked up for the government to tax and arbitrary good to raise general funds. There’s no reason to pick on a special industry and a particular class of consumers when the economic burden can be spread generally.
@DrugInducedDuck - I said internets, lrn2read tbh.
I’m making an inference, fuck-nut.
@trunthepaige - key word “Steal.”
@huginn - you’re being a tard tbh. Stop being a tard.
@huginn - You don’t mind when the government picks on the (relatively) wealthy by increasing income tax on top earners, do you?
@DrugInducedDuck - True but the producer already paid the whack tax, before you stole the whacking accessories from him.
@DrugInducedDuck - That brown fluid draining your of your ears, eyes, and mouth is bullshit. The gummy constituency in the crown of your head is silly-puddy.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - There’s an underlying rationale for that.
I consume *way* more beer than porn so my choice is easy.
I don’t see what is so fair about increasing the taxes on beer and/or porn, or cigarettes for that matter, rather than simply raising sales tax a small amount. More money would be made and it would be quite a bit more appropriate than basing the raised tax on morals many people don’t share.
@huginn - And here I thought it was blood. Silly me. Go swallow a knife tbh.
@DrugInducedDuck - You have the creativity of an aborted fetus. Go fuck a chipmunk, you douche.
@huginn - Humor me then. What is that underlying rationale?
@la_faerie_joyeuse - don’t mind huginn, he was skullfucked by Gary Busey and never recovered.
@DrugInducedDuck - I love Huginn. It’s not often I meet a fellow hardcore scientist on xanga.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - I think I’ve reached deep enough into my bag of justifications. Before I wiggle down your line of questioning, I’d like for you to offer your own position:
Are you saying it’s okay for the government to arbitrarily tax a minority of conumers and a minority industry as long as it doesn’t effect you? You seem to be fine as long as it’s not you biting the bullet.
@huginn - Technically, I don’t believe it’s okay for the government to tax anyone, EVER. (Just for the record.
)
But the position I am holding for the sake of argument, is that I personally want the government to act in MY personal self-interest. And what is in my self-interest is reducing general consumption of alcohol and (to a lesser extent) porn. It is also in my self-interest to shift the tax burden onto others. Furthermore, I argue that people who consume alcohol are more likely to consume more government revenue than I am, so therefore, they should bear more of the burden.
Sorry, I know there are several arguments there. I’m not trying to wrap them all up into one. I’m just trying to present them all at the outset so I don’t keep popping up new arguments.
Plus everyone remember why we have taxes: to raise revenues.
And while the stimulus bill gave Amtrack and other private companies lots of money, the States are really suffering because many of them have constitutional prohibitions against spending more than they have revenues. If I have to pay more tax on luxuries to spare people’s jobs and preserve State infrastructure, I’ll do it!
@la_faerie_joyeuse - Well, I dunno about “scientist.” But I love your intellectual detatchment– that ironclad logic. You seem to follow it wherever it leads (even down unpopular positions). I can’t help but respect that.
@huginn - To me, those terms are interchangable.
But that’s why we get along, even though we so strongly disagree on quite a number of issues. It’s never personal – it’s always about the IDEAS.
porn tax is illogical since it causes no appreciable extraneous harm to the society. so there’s no cost to be made up for through a tax system. if anything it’s probably net utilitarian beneficial. So the only justification is social engineering. That is prescriptive dictation to influence what kinds of people the state wants its citizens to be and that disturbs me.
taxes on alcohol already exist and there’s some justification for that since intoxication has an extraneous harm to society and aloholic overdoses can cause medical issues that strain the medical system. But it’s pretty unfair considering we don’t tax a great many other harmful substances proportionate to their harm. Also singling out “beer” in particular makes no sense at all. you should tax the substance that causes the problem so that the cost of that substance reflects the cost to society no more no less.
But more to the point there’s sort of something hypocritical about raising taxes on things they don’t like just because they need money right now. A tax system shouldn’t be designed that way. That’s sort of abusive of the states’ power. If you are going to raise taxes to raise money if there’s a need go ahead, but your tax should be universal and fair, either flat or progressive but not targeted at particular groups or people or businesses deforming the market.
question is. wouldn’t it cost more to admnistrate taxing Internet porn than it would actually bring in? It’ not like those siteownered would co-operate too eagerly.
both taxes wont really affect me … since i brew my own beer and showcase in & tape my own porn … ahem just kidding. bars are already having a difficult time as more and more folks have opted to just go to the liquor store and stay in with friends versus go out to the bars & spend more money. raising taxes on them is really going to hurt for bar owners. as for porn, i don’t really know much about that industry.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - Technically, I don’t believe it’s okay for the government to tax anyone, EVER. (Just for the record. )
OMG. Don’t remind me! After you, I’ve decided never to debate the legitmacy of government with an anarchist.
But the position I am holding for the sake of argument, is that I personally want the government to act in MY personal self-interest…
Okey doke. Fair enough.
And what is in my self-interest is reducing general consumption of alcohol and (to a lesser extent) porn. It is also in my self-interest to shift the tax burden onto others.
I dunno how to disuade this position without building up this huge argument on the goal and purpose of a democratic government.
Furthermore, I argue that people who consume alcohol are more likely to consume more government revenue than I am, so therefore, they should bear more of the burden.
Fair enough, and I do believe that it woudl be justified to divert the tax money particularily towards stuff like AA, public programs against drinking, and medical programs for the treatment of alcoholism.
I actually have a lot of work to get to, I’ll have to cut off our discussion at this reply. Sorries.
@huginn - You know that means I win by default, right?
I don’t care much about the beer… but on the other hand… porn… someone is asking to be shot.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - Actually, that’s usually how I treat unresponded arguments.
So fair enough.
Fair? I don’t know.
Care? Not really.
Can we have some kind of discount or tax rebate if we obtain both as a package deal?
lawl
if they REALLY knew…
No one realistically pays for porn on the internet, and I’ll tell you why. Everything is accessible one way or the other, if you keep clicking. even the stuff you “pay for” that shows the good stuff, you can bet that someone has it, made a folder of it, and has sent it somewhere like rapidshare to be shared amongst the masses.
Also, pictures. every time I right click on one, I have an option list that allows me to do several things, one of which, is “Save image as”. Unless they can tax me right clicking, or using file uploading sites, they really aren’t doing anything about porn.
Nice try though guys!
Lol… my husband and I were laughing about this. He brews his own beer and takes advantage of the free porn. If they start charging for ‘free’ porn, I think he’d give it up all together. He has a major rule against paying for porn : ) I guess he probably already pays taxes when he buys his grains and supplies for his beer, but whatever.
neither is a necessity and both are just things you have available to you. If the taxes go up it’s nothing more than a luxury tax so what’s the big deal in that. At least they are not increasing the sales tax on everything.
@nephyo - ”porn tax is illogical since it causes no appreciable extraneous harm to the society.”
It is also illogical because it lowers the amount of sexual assaults (rape).
@huginn - “Are you saying it’s okay for the government
to arbitrarily tax a minority of consumers and a minority industry as
long as it doesn’t effect you? You seem to be fine as long as it’s not
you biting the bullet.”
Im just fine with it. after all, they are doing the same to smokers.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - - I like both you guys, you seem like trolls, keep up the good work.
“I personally want the government to act in MY personal self-interest.”
They are believe it or not. there are more women that influence government and legislation than you think.
@Rien_Jabura - Im just fine with it. after all, they are doing the same to smokers.
That’s a weak argument. The presence of injustice elsewhere does not justify injustice here.
The merits of a public policy should stand in and of itself.
@Rien_Jabura - that is what i was alluding to when i said it was probably a net positive.
A defect/ bad habit is what the individual makes it not others or guaranteed that it’ll happen to everyone else
Why should it apply to everyone?? (In other words what my friend says “Why should we suffer for it?”) haha I dont do any of those things but my point is by raising the price does not mean that youngsters would stop drinking and watching porn so why go to the trouble of doing that?
@Rien_Jabura - I agree with you there might be some chain reactions to the things that we are changing or in this case trying to change
@BenevolentOne - haha thats funny
It’s bs. Why not swindle more money from what people need because it would seem to make the most money? Like medicine or water?
Isn’t that the point?
@huginn - I agree with your first comment. I didn’t really read the rest, but I liked how you put it.
Why not? They tax cigarettes out the wazoo!
But I don’t know how they could actually tax Internet porn. Maybe porn bought at an adult store, but I just don’t see them being able to tax stuff on the Internet. Hello file-sharing.
@huginn - I’m aware that it is a weak argument, but this injustice is working for the majority. For instance, have you seen that there are more and more non-smoking facilities now? Taxing cigarettes and making more facilities non-smoking increases the chances of people quitting. Not in record numbers per se, but I’ve met 2 or 3 people who once smoked but don’t smoke anymore, and I asked them why, and they responded with one of 2 things: one being “its not healthy” and the other “its too expensive”. The taxing imposes a subtle effect to push the minority from doing this. Taxing beer imposes the same. They will make a majority, push the minority out through taxing, making alcoholic beverages much like cigarettes, if they push it to the extremes like they are doing with cigarettes.
The point is, that injustices like this “justify” themselves by making a majority. x is right if enough y believe it to be so.
@trunthepaige - that may be so, but then, with the mind set of america, they would just think that if porn costs money now, and rape doesnt cost a thing…
then they could rape someone, and if they get caught, taxes would pay them to have a nice warm place in jail with digital cable and 3 meals a day.
still thinkin about that whack tax now?
@Rien_Jabura - Something tells me someone willing to rape is going to rape, porn or no porn. If anything rape porn just fuels the fire for real rape.
@The_Wandering_Coyote - @huginn - @la_faerie_joyeuse - @Gosalyn223 - @nephyo -
ok guys, I have an excellent idea.
Taxing baby items.
taxing their clothes, food for ages 4 and lower, toys.
This way, we can have less teenage pregnancies, and can divert the tax to sex education and treatment of STDs.
Then, for those who want to get out of it, impose a 10% tax on abortions. That’ll teach those pro-choicers. And pro-lifers, for that matter.
Well I don’t pay for porn sooo I couldn’t care less about taxing that.
BUT BEER? HELL NO!
Extra taxes on sexual satisfaction and drunkenness??? THAT’S AN ABOMINATION!!!
………
People will still buy beer and will still look at porn…or make their own booze and porn…either way everyone wins, and being Canadian I don’t suppose I care too much.
@trunthepaige - to be fair, if you were watching rape porn in the first place, then you…may need to go to jail. That stuff isn’t the least bit tasteful. Porn is about seeing sexy beautiful women, not raping them and spreading semen all over their faces.
@Rien_Jabura - Are you being srcastic?
If it is sarcasm, and if it is meant as a rebuttal to my position, I’m missing it.
@Rien_Jabura - I am pro life and not offended by your idea I heard some comedians and heck it is fucken true just like the DMV take a test to get licensed to drive same shit for being a parent there are bad parents out there and it is so fucken true I’m not offending anyone not imposing my beliefs or opinions but hey why not haha it seemed like a joke but hey it makes me wonder that child development shouldnt be taught until college about how to be a great mommy and shit should be started to be taught earlier you read that article by that theastian cafe dude there was a kid at 13 that became a pappy geez
@huginn - No I was being serious.
It just might work.
@Rien_Jabura - I wonder if sexy nude woman really qualifies as porn at all?
From what i have seen very rough sex and semen all over faces is the norm for porn.
We can make a soft core exception, I suppose or a lower tax on it.
It’s not going to happen, the porn industry has a lot of money. They support a lot of politicians. One of the porn industries major legal defenders, was just given a position in the justice department.
@huginn - @Gosalyn223 - @logicalemu - @trunthepaige - @AllMyNamesAreTaken -
But all in all, it could be worse, in Britain, they tax the air you breathe.
@Rien_Jabura - Inhaling or on the exhale?
@Rien_Jabura - The currency value does suck over there it is too expensive our couple of bucks here only means a couple of pennies over there no wonder their teeth are all jacked up too expensive.
@trunthepaige - clean air tax.
@Rien_Jabura - Does that mean dirty air is tax free? Oh well we will see some really odd taxes over here as well I am sure
well, there is such thing as free porn. and i work in a bar, so my beer’s free anyway. sweet.
Hah, sure. They’re not necessities in life – as long as they don’t put higher taxes on water or whatever – that’s fine.
@Rien_Jabura - Did you just call me a WOMAN? How dare you!
yes.
Yes, it discourages drinking.
porn – yes, beer – no.
you can get free porn but not free beer!!!
I don’t take part in either, so I raise the taxes.
lol sure why not
I don’t pay for either
@DommieGirlLovie - lol. I am the opposite. Tax the porn. Leave the beer alone!
If they tax alchohol I’m gunna be more bitter than I already am :/
Taxing porn?! Ill just get naked and run around the streets for free.
Sure.
The beauty, and sadness, of these sort of taxes that people will find a way to pay for it regardless of how it’s priced.
I think as long as it’s not such a high raise in price, it should be okay.
@wherethefishlives - You take the words right out of my mouth.
I honestly don’t care; I don’t buy those things anyway. Maybe this will push other people to drop their vices.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - haha, nice one.
I think it’s fair… I guess. I don’t really know since I don’t use look/drink that kinda stuff.
There is no such thing as fair taxes; only taxes we agree to pay without rioting. I’m not sure the beer tax is going to fly; in times like these peeps need their alcohols.
ha, i really don’t care. i don’t drink beer or watch porn.
YES!
tax the shit out of alcohol and cigarrettes and porn because those things aren’t necessary and are bad habits!
nah, this is b.s. these taxes put a heavy burden on young adult males like myself hahaha
It cost more that money and something more valuable…
Sin taxes are BS.
Beer, no. Porn, yes. Cigarettes, yes.
Wait… charging… tax.. on… internet porn?
.
.
.
People PAY for that? xD
Go for it.
@stefani_x3 - *high fives* yeah thats my girl free porn and beer.
@abcxunt - *high fives* you’re awesome.
They’re luxuries, so yeah, it’s proper. But they’re also very accessible, able-to-bootleg luxuries…
@Rien_Jabura - lol you bet these days you can get anything for free
sure why not? They tax everything else…
Beer? No, because this is the first … 90 years since the Probation (1921?) was repealed. taxing beer is one step away from Probation.
Porn? that’s really going to embarass young teenage boys when their parents find it on the Internet bill…
I don’t use either, so I don’t care.
but that’s how it starts – with things you don’t care about…
Go ahead. They’d make a fortune on the beer by taxing Athens, GA.
Plus, this might make a healthy lifestyle more affordable by comparison.
I feel like a tax on porn and beer is just a way for conservative lawmakers to punish industries that they see as immoral. While they’re at it, why don’t they go after video games and rap music as well?
No.
That would really help us get out of the gutter xD
lol.
Fair? Perhaps. Stupid? Yes.
cant blame em trying to make up revenue. betterthan asking the gov for a handout
no.
Ehh.. for a little while, then they should find something else to tax. it’s not economically wise to tax one specific area of consumption…
hey, and cigg taxing for health insurance: ironic, huh?
Maybe, this will help reduce drunk driver in the street.
Yes. Tax that porn all the way. Seriously. I hate it anyway.
Noo…. No…… NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dear GOD, what do we DO!?!?!?!
I need to start hoarding now.
the wine and beer market is going up, they should leave them alone!
I think products that harm the planet should be taxed more heavily
i think it’s ok…just extra indulgences in this hard life……
@pansybradshaw - lols
If the government used our income tax money more wisely, we wouldn’t need all the excess taxes. Do we really want our government controlling how much we smoke or drink because we cannot control ourselves? What is wrong with these folks who are agreeing to this? It is total BS… I don’t have a problem paying my income taxes if it helps the economy. But if the government is so out of touch with what the people are doing (as it seems to be at this time) or needing… Do we TRUST the government to increase taxes on these other things?
How about the liquor store owners who see a decrease in customers? Their income is effected. Believe you me, folks, they are the little guys just like you and me!
Do we really want to be filling our congress mans pockets with more money? How many of our so called leaders have been charged for not paying their own taxes lately?
D-UH!!! Clue in folks!
I will agree to pay those taxes so long as our politicians agree to start paying their’s. Otherwise I think it’s kind of stupid, unless they want to legalize marijuana. Life is give and take and I say we play a little hardball haha
Sure, why not. I don’t care. Neither are applicable to me. Tax all porn and alcohol.
+$$$ for the economy.
Tax the beer or other alcohol. Cigarettes. But stuff on the internet? No.
wonderfull !!!!!!!!! taxes for bad habits are perfect, people spend so much money in things that afect others health and family budgets i think is perfectly fine hope,….. do it soon……………
I think the goverment realized that even in a bad economy people are going to drink and want to look at boobs. Damn, it’s too bad they caught on.
Tax beer, porn, and cigs some more. Porn is the LARGEST industry in America, and brings in more than all of the major sports networks (nfl, nba, nhl, etc), COMBINED. Yeah, they should tax it. Tax it like it’s hot.
How are you gonna tax internet porn! ?
Neither of them are necessary or inarguably beneficial, so tax the hell out of ‘em.
I went to a bowling website and they had a petition to ban the planning of taxing on bowling. WTF?
Beer? No. Porn? Sure! That’ll hopefully make men less pervy
well if they can actually manage it, sure.