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Posted on 11/09/2011 10:50:38 AM PST by Zakeet
No, it’s not a joke. President Obama really is imposing a special new tax on Christmas trees.
And while the policy seems a ludicrous political misstep – and possibly an unconstitutional one at that – in truth, the Obama Christmas Tree Tax is much worse than that.
The $2 million the Obama Administration expects the tax to raise will not reduce the deficit or cover needed government services. Instead, it will serve as a marketing slush fund for the Christmas tree industry.
The money will set up a brand new government agency called (no, seriously) the Christmas Tree Promotion Board. The CTPB will use the $2 million to hire a staff – most likely the industry lobbyists who cooked up this scheme – and then run advertisements to “enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry of the United States.”
Don’t the Christmas tree growers and retailers already do that? Yes. Isn’t marketing something that all companies should do with their profits, to grow their business and attract new customers? Yes.
And while we’re asking questions, does anyone in America – anyone? – believe that Christmas trees have a bad image that needs taxpayer-subsidized improvement?
So why should the government-funded Christmas Tree Promotion Board tax us to fund a marketing campaign? So the Christmas tree industry can pocket the $2 million they now won’t have to spend marketing their trees.
That’s it. That’s the whole purpose of the Obama Christmas Tree Tax: to take money from hard-working families celebrating Christmas and give it to clever lobbyists and businessmen running a crony-capitalist subsidy scam.
And while this policy will, by design, help one group of people, it will hurt others: businesses that sell artificial Christmas trees, people who work at your local stores that sell them, and, don’t forget, the consumers who are out 15 cents a tree.
Business groups using government connections to enrich themselves by hurting everyone else. Makes you just want to break into “O Holy Night,” doesn’t it?
Hopefully, the Crony Capitalists in the Obama Administration have gone too far this time, and public backlash will force Congress to shut down the Christmas Tree Promotion Board and repeal the single stupidest tax of all time. I will soon offer an amendment on the Senate floor to do just that.
All I want for Christmas is a free market.
Congress has been proving for nearly a century taxation with representation ain't too great, either.
How about Bibles, rosaries, statues of Buddha, Hindu shrines and other paraphernalia? Maybe Holy Water will be taxed to? How about a tax on the Eucharist every time someone takes it? Maybe a special fee (tax) on Christians for praying? The US government (the Democrat Party) is the enemy of religious, economic and the personal liberty of the American People.
Like taking a prayer rug from a muzzie. Cant wait to shove we the people’s shoe right up his a##
A Christmas tree tzar, and federal regulations on the size, species, method of harvest, employment of workers, plus a federal mandate to purchase an approved Christmas tree each year (with non-compliance subject to IRS fine) soon to follow.
My "ROFLOL" was at the side-by-side pics of the Grinch and Mrs. O. I should have copied the pics, but I didn't feel like it.
I was laughing at the pics he posted not the subject matter. I should have been more clear. Please, no more lectures people!
Thousands? That $2M budget will cover 5 six-figure incomes and maybe a secretary/maid.
FRiend, That 2 Million dollars is just a come on,(Chump Change) this agency will grow like topsy and be in the Billions before Obama’s next 4 years are up.
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