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Please Stop This Out-Of-Control Taxing

by Dash Riprok
Gov. Leavitt: Your proposals to tax sales on the internet need to stop. I make purchasing decisions based on:

  • need
  • availability
  • price
  • convenience
When I find a product or service with a good mix of all four, I buy it. I prefer to do business locally however, if I can't find it or it's not easy to get or it costs too much, I look elsewhere. I don't make my decision based on the amount of sales tax I will pay. If an internet merchant does not charge me a sales tax, that is an added bonus but not a deciding factor.

You talk about taxing the interet in terms of "leveling the playing field." A level playing field does not mean hobbling the other team. It means playing by the same rules. Those who are less competitive do not win. I will gladly pay the sales tax on an item in my home town at a good price. To charge me tax for an internet purchase is to penalize me because businesses in my area are not offering me the right product at the right price.

My main problem with your internet tax scheme is that it represents a governor whose ambitions are out of control. When I earn money, the state TAKES money from my check. I accept this as a necessity. When I make a purchase, you claim that I "owe" you money for using my own money (which you have already reduced by mandatory deduction) to improve the quality of my life.

What you are really saying is that for the privilege of living, I owe you something. The U.S. Constitution affirms my right to "...the pursuit of happiness." Why must I constantly pay government for that pursuit? I already pay for my internet service and phone service - all of which is already taxed (the last time I added it all up, 23% of my monthly phone bill is taxes). Now you want more. Please stop.

Sincerely,
Dash Riprok

P.S. I realize we are not of the same political persuasion, (I am a conservative Republican) so this message will probably go unheeded. At least I have registered my vote on the matter.

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