Make Internet Sales Fair Act [On the President's Desk]

[bullmoose88]

I personally am against this bill at the moment.  New taxes during uncertain economic times, no matter how well intended, make me uneasy about damaging the recovery.

That said, I'd like to enter the following article (via link) into the record advocating the reasons for such a tax.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/200870/why_its_time_to_tax_internet_sales.html?tk=hp_new

[bullmoose88]

I accept Senator Badger's amendment as friendly.

Hold on here. Bullmoose, Libertas---would this amendment actually change either of your positions on the bill?

It certainly makes the bill more palatable from my perspective.  Of course, I'd obviously prefer in most situations to repeal taxes to even the playing field--especially when the economy isn't doing so well--but if that fantasyland isn't possible the amendment seems to instill some reality into the bill.

At the very least, even if I'm still not on the aye side of the measure (how I'll exactly vote depends on the final text, the original gets a nay from me), I'm a lot more comfortable with its passage as amended.

[bullmoose88]

Internet commerce is unquestionably important, but there is no need to coddle companies like Amazon to the detriment of local bookstores.

Respectfully, I find the notion that enabling an internet sales tax is really going to significantly level the playing field between a local bookseller and amazon a bit difficult to buy.  It won't allow such a small firm to achieve the same sort of bulk buys and other cost efficiencies that allow big firms like amazon or even a brick and mortar like walmart to succeed.

[bullmoose88]

As much as I appreciate Badger's efforts to make the bill more tolerable, it is still only tolerable if it passes despite my vote.  After much thought, I cannot support this measure.

Nay.