Proposed porn tax creates dilemma for some anti-tax conservatives

AP ^ | 11/28/5

[Crackingham]

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- A proposal to impose a special tax on sexually oriented businesses is creating a dilemma for some legislators. They're socially conservative and would like to combat pornography and discourage the opening of new shops that sell X-rated videos and magazines and other products, such as sex toys. But some also have signed a pledge not to raise taxes. That has a few talking about tying the proposed porn tax to proposals to cut taxes elsewhere.

Among them is Sen. Kay O'Connor, R-Olathe, who told the Lawrence Journal-World she would like to support a tax on sexually oriented businesses because, "We shouldn't make life too terribly easy for them." But, she added, "A pure tax increase, I would have to vote no."

Earlier this month, a legislative committee agreed to draft legislation modeled on proposals in Oklahoma and Utah to impose a 10 percent tax on products and services sold by sexually oriented businesses. Backers argue the tax could raise $1.5 million a year.

[mylife]

Dare I say it?

"Ive heard of pecker trax, but a pecker tax?"

[Spok]

Democrats think taxing an activity discourages it. The reality is it just puts the government in the business and makes it a partner. The government makes so much money from alcohol and tobacco, the last thing it wants to see is the end of those industries.

[L98Fiero]

That pretty much sums it up.

[curtisgardner]

Not much of a dillema for me. Stay out of my wallet and stay out my bedroom.

[curtisgardner]

*dilemma

[MeanWestTexan]

But sin tax has worked so well stomping out beer and cigs!

[Horatio Gates]

A porn tax would be hard to swallow.

[Tanniker Smith]

The truth about those toys is that it's only the price that gets inflated.(*)

TS
(*) -- or so I've heard from semi-reliable sources.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

They're socially conservative and would like to combat pornography

So taxing something is the same as combating it? At least someone has admitted that.

[calrighty]

The tax will probably just go to the teachers unions, so they can promote homosexuality to children, and pass out condoms to children, so we are probably better off leaving the pornographers to their own devices : )

[birbear]

This opens an old can of worms. What's "pornography" and what is "art."

Why would one type of vibrator (that's obviously phallic) be charged tax, while another vibrator (that's sold at Target or Wal Mart, but can also be used for sexual purproses) not be taxed.

Sometimes the lines can be blurred.

[passionfruit]

Taxes should never be used as a penalty.

[The Old Hoosier]

Make it revenue-neutral by cutting another tax.

[Between the Lines]

They're socially conservative and would like to combat pornography and discourage the opening of new shops that sell X-rated videos and magazines and other products, such as sex toys. But some also have signed a pledge not to raise taxes.

If taxes "combat" what is being taxed, that explains why the Dems like the income tax.

[coloradan]

I changed my tagline just for things like this.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Among them is Sen. Kay O'Connor, R-Olathe, who told the Lawrence Journal-World she would like to support a tax on sexually oriented businesses because, "We shouldn't make life too terribly easy for them."

Nah, better to impose punitive taxes on anyone who doesn't agree with your views on what society should be - that'll teach 'em.

[mylife]

sadly they often are.
what really stinks is when taxes are used to penalize success

[The Red Zone]

ayup, ayup.

[mylife]

I like that tagline