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Obama’s Christmas Tree Tax is Back
Heritage foundation ^ | June 4, 2013 | Daren Bakst

Posted on 06/04/2013 1:22:37 PM PDT by opentalk

It’s never too early for Washington, D.C., politicians to dampen the holiday spirit. The House Agriculture Committee approved an amendment to its farm bill that would lift the stay blocking implementation of Obama’s Christmas tree tax. We should be thankful the Agriculture Committee doesn’t have jurisdiction over toys.

The Christmas Tree Tax

Some in the Christmas tree industry sought to develop a promotional program to assist its industry. After three failed attempts to set up a voluntary system, they turned to the federal government to do what it couldn’t: Force Christmas tree producers and importers to pay for a Christmas tree promotion program.

On November 8, 2011, the Obama Administration issued a final rule that approved a new program to help promote Christmas trees. The government would set up a Christmas Tree Promotion Board, with one of its goals being “to enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States.” It isn’t clear why Christmas trees need help with their pristine and festive image—unless they are hiding something.

The new program would include a 15 cent “assessment” on fresh cut Christmas trees, which could eventually rise to 20 cents per tree. After significant backlash, in large part due to the efforts of The Heritage Foundation, the Obama Administration backed away from imposing this tax. On November 17, 2011, the Administration issued a stay of this tax.

(Excerpt) Read more at blog.heritage.org ...


TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: antichristian; christians; christiantax; christmastree; christmastreetax; dhimmitude; islamists; muslim; obama; sharia

1 posted on 06/04/2013 1:22:37 PM PDT by opentalk
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To: opentalk

KEEP GOING!! Even the DENSEST will FINALLY understand what BIG GOVERNMENT is!!


2 posted on 06/04/2013 1:25:44 PM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion.....the HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: opentalk

Just for fun I would start advertising them as Ramadan Trees. Just to see what the heck he would do about that.


3 posted on 06/04/2013 1:26:22 PM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Buckeye McFrog

Just for fun I would start advertising them as Ramadan Trees. Just to see what the heck he would do about that.

*****

They would give them away free with a gold covered copy of satans digest, the koran.


4 posted on 06/04/2013 1:29:44 PM PDT by mardi59 (IMPEACH OBAMA NOW!!!!!)
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To: opentalk

All things in any way related to Christians or Christian holidays need a jizya tax if you’re the Obama administration and want to penalize them. Islam is the greatest sound Obama ever heard. It certainly wasn’t a Christian song or a Christmas carol.


5 posted on 06/04/2013 1:30:22 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: Buckeye McFrog

Just as good would be a kwanza tree.


6 posted on 06/04/2013 1:32:33 PM PDT by AEMILIUS PAULUS (It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
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To: opentalk

Wanna bet there’s no tax on prayer rugs and suicide vests?


7 posted on 06/04/2013 1:36:51 PM PDT by I want the USA back (Pi$$ed off yet?)
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To: opentalk

8 posted on 06/04/2013 1:41:03 PM PDT by mardi59 (IMPEACH OBAMA NOW!!!!!)
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To: opentalk
Some in the Christmas tree industry sought to develop a promotional program to assist its industry. After three failed attempts to set up a voluntary system, they turned to the federal government to do what it couldn’t: Force Christmas tree producers and importers to pay for a Christmas tree promotion program.

"FORCE CHRISTMAS TREE PRODUCERS, AND IMPORTERS TO PAY..." What tax on anything in any industry does the producer, importer, whatever pay that isn't passed on to the consumer? Certified BS.

9 posted on 06/04/2013 1:42:01 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will. They ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: opentalk

So the Republican controlled House Ag Committee wants to raise taxes by removing the stay on a policy passed during the Bush administration.


10 posted on 06/04/2013 1:44:34 PM PDT by oincobx
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To: opentalk
Methinks this was pushed by people who have nothing to do with the Christmas tree industry but want to get to glom onto the money that will the Christmas tree producers will be forced to cough up.
11 posted on 06/04/2013 1:46:34 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: opentalk

12 posted on 06/04/2013 1:59:16 PM PDT by Impala64ssa (You call me an islamophobe like it's a bad thing.)
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To: opentalk

The government doesn’t like Christmas trees because they have the word “Christ” in the name.


13 posted on 06/04/2013 3:11:00 PM PDT by PATRIOT1876 (The only crimes that are 100% preventable are crimes committed by illegal aliens)
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To: Impala64ssa

What a great sign!


14 posted on 06/04/2013 4:00:02 PM PDT by NonValueAdded (Unindicted Co-conspirators: The Mainstream Media)
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To: All

I still have my Festivus pole set up in the den.


15 posted on 06/04/2013 4:12:37 PM PDT by BipolarBob
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To: opentalk

Hmmm... does the Heritage Foundation own stock in Chinese companies who make artificial Christmas trees? It seems like they’re the winners in this issue. In the past 18 months, the U.S. tree market has lost 20% of its sales, primarily to the artificial tree market. (http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/05/cnbc_reports_plight_of_christm.html)


16 posted on 06/04/2013 5:43:00 PM PDT by ConstantSkeptic (Be careful about preconceptions)
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To: Impala64ssa

Love that photo!


17 posted on 06/06/2013 12:02:37 PM PDT by ColdOne (I miss my poochie... Tasha 2000~3/14/11)
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