|
Opinions/Editorial Internet Taxation: The Deception of "More Fair Government" Released by Daniel B. Newby on 11/19/99 of Sutherland Institute |
Press
Releases by Release Date by Organization Media Advisories by Release Date by Organization Opinions/Editorial by Release Date by Organization All Press Releases/ Editorial/ Media Advisories by Release Date by Organization |
| The Internet
taxation battle has begun and sides are quickly being drawn in a
fight that will decide the future of e-commerce and the future role
of government. Pro-tax forces claim that government needs to tax the Internet in order to make taxes "more fair." This is an interesting argument and appeals to every person's desire to see government become "more fair" with regard to its policies and procedures. But still, there is something less than genuine within this argument. If Internet taxation really has so much to do with fairness, why aren't these same forces working as hard -- or even harder -- to abolish such things as unfair government competition with the private sector, or unfair targeted taxes like the death tax or the tax on gas? The answer is that pro-tax forces are masking the real issue behind carefully crafted deception. The true motivation behind Internet taxation is to increase the size and power of government. The Internet issue is not about fairness and equity for all mankind, it is about larger bureaucracies, less freedom, and bigger government. It is about getting the camel's nose under the tent so that government can do to the Internet what it has attempted to do to so many other sectors of our economy. Citizens need to see through this deception and remember that the primary purpose of government is not to be fair, but to protect our basic rights to life, liberty, and property. To do that, government must remain small enough that freedom can exist and flourish. Whenever government growth and power rises to threaten freedom, fairness should not suddenly become the focus, nor should we spend our time and resources trying to get government to hurt all people equally. The focus should always be to regain our freedom -- freedom from over-regulation, tyrannical taxes, and corrupt government force. This concept may be painful for some citizens to accept, but the alternative is to continue to allow, even commission, government to find more ways to erode the freedoms Americans still retain. European nations moved early to incrementally regulate and tax the Internet in their states. Today all of Europe along with the rest of the world represent less than 20 percent of all Internet commerce. Once government was allowed to permeate the Internet marketplace, it quickly killed the goose that laid the golden eggs. Here in the United States, where the Internet has been allowed to grow virtually uninhibited by government intervention, the market share is over 80 percent. We most certainly do not want to follow the example of our European neighbors and trade freedom for perceived "fairness." Pro-tax forces look at e-commerce and the Internet as an enemy to efficient government, and perhaps they are right. In the early years of our nation, there was always a frontier to run to when government became too oppressive. That is the reason the West attracted individualistic settlers looking for a better life. But in our day, there is no longer a physical place to run to avoid the burdens of high taxes and enormous regulation. Perhaps the Internet is indeed the last bastion of freedom from oppressive government. Could it be that Internet sales and greater Internet access are good indicators of just how out-of-control our federal, state, and local governments have become? Perhaps the Internet truly is one of the last enemies to big government and high taxes. A wonderful solution to the Internet taxation issue already exists: lower sales taxes. Lower state and local taxes would likely go a long way to promote fairness. In addition, lower taxes will not do harm to Constitutional safeguards and will not increase government power or bureaucracy. Utah could even set the example of prosperity by lowering taxes more than any other state and thereby draw eager businesses. If pro-tax forces are successful, government will grow and do to the Internet what it has already done to education, the postal service, and health care. On the other hand, if anti-tax forces are successful in stopping Internet taxation, government will be forced to take yet another look at lowering taxes. # # # # # # Daniel B. Newby is the Director of Operations & Development for the Sutherland Institute, a Utah public policy research institute. Permission to reprint this article in whole or in part is granted provided credit is given to the author and to the Sutherland Institute. For more information about the Sutherland Institute and/or to order additional copies of this article, call the Institute office, (801) 281-2081, or write: The Sutherland Institute, 111 E. 5600 South, Suite 202, Murray, UT 84107. Fax: (801) 281-2414; e-mail: sutherland@utah-inter.net. This article is available electronically at: www.sutherlandinstitute.org. Nothing written here is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Sutherland Institute, as an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any legislation, or as an endorsement of any candidate or initiative. *********************************************************** Daniel B. Newby Director of Operations & Development dnewby@utah-inter.net The Sutherland Institute: Shaping the Future of Utah Independence Square 111 East 5600 South, Suite 202 Murray, Utah 84107 Phone: (801) 281-2081 Fax: (801) 281-2414 Website: www.sutherlandinstitute.org If you have questions, or would like to receive membership information, please use the contact information above. We welcome your questions, comments, and suggestions. *********************************************************** | |
 |