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SpaceHeater

SpaceHeater

I'm lost
April 2003

MAY 21, 2008 04:03 PM

Here in California there is a senator, Charles Calderon (D-Montebello) who has drafted a proposal that entails charging a 25% tax on any "adult" items or services-that includes films, sex toys, strip clubs, etc.

From an article in the OC Register:

"The bill would add the 25 percent tax to any items sold in an "adult entertainment venue." That would be anyplace that gets at least half of its revenue from sexually explicit performances or from the sale of adult videos, magazines or other media.

In other words, you would have to pay a 25 percent tax on anything you bought in a porn store – even a pack of gum."

A FREAKING 25% TAX!!! That is absolutely INSANE. Here is one of his arguments for needing to tax the adult industry

"This is a major industry that is putting a disproportionate burden on state services," he said. "Drugs are heavily used. The actors have a short life span. Some leave the industry drug-addicted with no skills. They wind up availing themselves of Medi-Cal and other state programs."

Is he fucking serious?!

If this upsets you as much as it does me-please write to this jackass letting him know what you think of his proposal.

Here is his website to get any contact info
Calderon contact info

Here are links to the original articles I got my info from:

MSNBC/OC Register article

LA Times article

mad

bald_eagle

bald_eagle

Indianapolis, IN
November 2006

MAY 21, 2008 04:53 PM

As a cigarette smoker, I gotta say welcome to my world.

Kindle

Kindle

Seattle, WA
March 2006

MAY 21, 2008 04:58 PM

bald_eagle said:
As a cigarette smoker, I gotta say welcome to my world.


Holy crap! Look at that spirit tax in Alabama, Oregon, Virginia, and *gasp* Washinton! eeek

LSlice

LSlice

Montclair, NJ
December 2007

MAY 21, 2008 05:16 PM

I don't even know where to begin with this.

abbazappa

abbazappa

Los Osos, CA
June 2006

MAY 21, 2008 05:16 PM

I better go stock up on butt plugs and strap-on's now.
Although I suppose I could get around it if I order online?

SockPuppet

SockPuppet

I'm lost
July 2006

MAY 21, 2008 05:47 PM

I'm not seeing a problem here, as such. Unless the Senator is incorrect in his cost analysis, of course.

MrCrisp

MrCrisp

Charleston, SC
August 2004

MAY 21, 2008 05:52 PM

Kindle said:

bald_eagle said:
As a cigarette smoker, I gotta say welcome to my world.


Holy crap! Look at that spirit tax in Alabama, Oregon, Virginia, and *gasp* Washinton! eeek



time to start your own moonshine still. wink

LSlice said:
I don't even know where to begin with this.



i know, it's tough. there are two ends!

Rappaccini

Rappaccini

Experiment, GA
February 2004

MAY 21, 2008 06:03 PM

Hmmm, I supposed this settles it. SG is officially an ART site, not a porn site. Right? Right? wink

abbazappa

abbazappa

Los Osos, CA
June 2006

MAY 21, 2008 06:07 PM

Jeez, the California Democratic State Party seems to be going crazy with new taxes: $1.80 tax on the price of every six-pack of beer, a new tax on all downloads. So itune songs are going to cost 8 cents more (it adds up), then the 25% tax on any item sold in a adult store, ooh I liked this one; that plastic bags are going to cost 25cents per bag to take them out of the store (are the bags even worth that much to start with?!?), then there is a new fee for any vehicles that get less then 15 miles per gallon.

But at least they are planning on giving a property tax brake for low-income seniors but in order to get the tax brake they will have to "work off" their taxes in county offices, doing such jobs as gardening, record filing or data entry.

All the while the economy is in a recession and people are getting worse off and having financial hardship

LSlice

LSlice

Montclair, NJ
December 2007

MAY 21, 2008 06:20 PM

abbazappa said:
Jeez, the California Democratic State Party seems to be going crazy with new taxes: $1.80 tax on the price of every six-pack of beer, a new tax on all downloads. So itune songs are going to cost 8 cents more (it adds up), then the 25% tax on any item sold in a adult store, ooh I liked this one; that plastic bags are going to cost 25cents per bag to take them out of the store (are the bags even worth that much to start with?!?), then there is a new fee for any vehicles that get less then 15 miles per gallon.

But at least they are planning on giving a property tax brake for low-income seniors but in order to get the tax brake they will have to "work off" their taxes in county offices, doing such jobs as gardening, record filing or data entry.

All the while the economy is in a recession and people are getting worse off and having financial hardship




California is farther in the red budget wise then any state.

motorfirebox

motorfirebox

Pittsburgh, PA
March 2004

MAY 21, 2008 06:20 PM

SockPuppet said:
I'm not seeing a problem here, as such. Unless the Senator is incorrect in his cost analysis, of course.



i think that's a big part of the question. i haven't seen--granted that i haven't looked very hard--any supporting evidence for the senator's claims. how many 'retired' sex workers are there? do sex workers have a problem moving to other career paths--moreso than other sectors? how much burden do 'retired' sex workers put on the state, compared to other sectors?

this strikes me as another example of a basically good idea--tapping the ginormous amounts of money flowing through the sex industry--being fitted around someone's agenda like a condom. it also strikes me as literally being misguided--it's aimed at the sex industry, a huge chunk of which is on the intratubes, but it's hitting mom and pop porn shops that tend to be on the periphery of the cashflow.

MrStitches

MrStitches

Sag Harbor, NY
November 2003

MAY 21, 2008 06:52 PM

bald_eagle said:
As a cigarette smoker, I gotta say welcome to my world.



Yeah, New York state is going to add a $1.25 tax in a few days. I never buy cigarettes in the city, because of the taxes the city has so I can't remember exactly what they cost now, but it will make a pack of cigarettes in NYC at least $8.00. Madness.

Hooraydiation

Hooraydiation

Boston, MA
October 2005

MAY 21, 2008 06:53 PM

This'll just increase consumption of penis-shaped vegetables and drive food prices even higher.

scylis

scylis

Anchorage, AK
November 2004

MAY 21, 2008 07:22 PM

MrStitches said:

bald_eagle said:
As a cigarette smoker, I gotta say welcome to my world.



Yeah, New York state is going to add a $1.25 tax in a few days. I never buy cigarettes in the city, because of the taxes the city has so I can't remember exactly what they cost now, but it will make a pack of cigarettes in NYC at least $8.00. Madness.



it gets bumped up (along with liquor tax) by anywhere from $.75-1.25 just as winter is about to hit here. it's $8 or around that most places all over Anchorage, actually.

also, the stores already mark up everything an insane amount when it comes to dongs and vids and, well, everything. one of my friends used to work at one, and showed me some of the shipping invoices that listed the prices they were paying. astronomical is the word i'd choose.

DevilsReject

DevilsReject

Cleveland, OH
February 2007

MAY 21, 2008 07:25 PM

bald_eagle said:
As a cigarette smoker, I gotta say welcome to my world.



I feel your pain.
Guess which county i live in? I'll give you a hint, it's the only one in Ohio that's got it's own color.

More Trivia. Who is our representative? More hints: He bankrupt Cleveland in the 70's, he abandons us every two years to make a run at his presidential hopes, and he's got a really hot wife.

Cuyahoga can't figure out why it has no money, it's mostly because for big purchases (TV's, Mowers, Snowblowers, anything over $100) i and just about everyone else simply travels fifteen minutes south, east or west to have a sales tax that is 1-1.5% less.

But don't worry! Ohio is concentrating on fixing the important issues [/sarcasm]


The bill was initiated via petition by the conservative, Cincinnati-based Citizens for Community Values Crazy Catholics after lawmakers last year watered down a similar proposal to simply authorize townships to regulate such businesses as cities already could. The organization has maintained that such businesses are magnets for prostitution, drugs, reduced property values, and other social ills, particularly during the hours they'd be forced to close.

bald_eagle

bald_eagle

Indianapolis, IN
November 2006

MAY 21, 2008 07:25 PM

abbazappa said:
Jeez, the California Democratic State Party seems to be going crazy with new taxes: $1.80 tax on the price of every six-pack of beer, a new tax on all downloads. So itune songs are going to cost 8 cents more (it adds up), then the 25% tax on any item sold in a adult store, ooh I liked this one; that plastic bags are going to cost 25cents per bag to take them out of the store (are the bags even worth that much to start with?!?), then there is a new fee for any vehicles that get less then 15 miles per gallon.


Didn't Conan the Republican sign those into law?

Kindle

Kindle

Seattle, WA
March 2006

MAY 21, 2008 07:59 PM

MrCrisp said:

Kindle said:

bald_eagle said:
As a cigarette smoker, I gotta say welcome to my world.


Holy crap! Look at that spirit tax in Alabama, Oregon, Virginia, and *gasp* Washinton! eeek



time to start your own moonshine still. wink


Seriously. I should go get my shit out of storage in NC and start hopping. I bet I could make a killing.

Adroitbeing

Adroitbeing

I'm lost
September 2003

MAY 21, 2008 08:21 PM

LSlice said:

abbazappa said:
Jeez, the California Democratic State Party seems to be going crazy with new taxes: $1.80 tax on the price of every six-pack of beer, a new tax on all downloads. So itune songs are going to cost 8 cents more (it adds up), then the 25% tax on any item sold in a adult store, ooh I liked this one; that plastic bags are going to cost 25cents per bag to take them out of the store (are the bags even worth that much to start with?!?), then there is a new fee for any vehicles that get less then 15 miles per gallon.

But at least they are planning on giving a property tax brake for low-income seniors but in order to get the tax brake they will have to "work off" their taxes in county offices, doing such jobs as gardening, record filing or data entry.

All the while the economy is in a recession and people are getting worse off and having financial hardship




California is farther in the red budget wise then any state.



So, on your invitation, every time you misspeak, stretch the truth or mislead the audience, I am going to call you out on it.

What you just said is not a true statement.
The 08-09 California budget is $140b. The deficit is $16b or 11.4%. Four other states are worse including; Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and Rhode Island. Their deficit as a percentage of total budget is higher than that of California.

Please note - these are growth states.

Also, please note that the California deficit is not as bad as you make it out to be since the national average for the 27 states that currently face budget deficits is 9.7% of their budget.

LSlice

LSlice

Montclair, NJ
December 2007

MAY 21, 2008 08:27 PM

Adroitbeing said:

LSlice said:

abbazappa said:
Jeez, the California Democratic State Party seems to be going crazy with new taxes: $1.80 tax on the price of every six-pack of beer, a new tax on all downloads. So itune songs are going to cost 8 cents more (it adds up), then the 25% tax on any item sold in a adult store, ooh I liked this one; that plastic bags are going to cost 25cents per bag to take them out of the store (are the bags even worth that much to start with?!?), then there is a new fee for any vehicles that get less then 15 miles per gallon.

But at least they are planning on giving a property tax brake for low-income seniors but in order to get the tax brake they will have to "work off" their taxes in county offices, doing such jobs as gardening, record filing or data entry.

All the while the economy is in a recession and people are getting worse off and having financial hardship




California is farther in the red budget wise then any state.



So, on your invitation, every time you misspeak, stretch the truth or mislead the audience, I am going to call you out on it.

What you just said is not a true statement.
The 08-09 California budget is $140b. The deficit is $16b or 11.4%. Four other states are worse including; Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and Rhode Island. Their deficit as a percentage of total budget is higher than that of California.

Please note - these are growth states.

Also, please note that the California deficit is not as bad as you make it out to be since the national average for the 27 states that currently face budget deficits is 9.7% of their budget.



I was refering to total shortfall, not as a percentage of budget.

http://www.cbpp.org/12-18-07sfp.htm

Thistle

Thistle

SUICIDEGIRL

California, USA

MAY 21, 2008 08:27 PM

The only reason this bothers me is the thought of the undue burden on the mostly independent, locally owned porn shops. I'd rather put a higher tax on a type of store that's commonly a national chain. Like, let's put a 25% tax on everything you can buy at Starbucks.

Also, I hope they will spend the extra money on roads and schools but they'll probably spend it on prison.

FearTheReaper

FearTheReaper

NEWSWIRE

I'm lost

MAY 21, 2008 08:28 PM

abbazappa said:
that plastic bags are going to cost 25cents per bag to take them out of the store (are the bags even worth that much to start with?!?),



No, actually. But you should maybe look into why they are actually doing that. It has little to do with money.

abbazappa said:
then there is a new fee for any vehicles that get less then 15 miles per gallon.



Again, nothing to do with money. You do read, right?

Adroitbeing

Adroitbeing

I'm lost
September 2003

MAY 21, 2008 08:39 PM

LSlice said:

Adroitbeing said:

LSlice said:

abbazappa said:
Jeez, the California Democratic State Party seems to be going crazy with new taxes: $1.80 tax on the price of every six-pack of beer, a new tax on all downloads. So itune songs are going to cost 8 cents more (it adds up), then the 25% tax on any item sold in a adult store, ooh I liked this one; that plastic bags are going to cost 25cents per bag to take them out of the store (are the bags even worth that much to start with?!?), then there is a new fee for any vehicles that get less then 15 miles per gallon.

But at least they are planning on giving a property tax brake for low-income seniors but in order to get the tax brake they will have to "work off" their taxes in county offices, doing such jobs as gardening, record filing or data entry.

All the while the economy is in a recession and people are getting worse off and having financial hardship




California is farther in the red budget wise then any state.



So, on your invitation, every time you misspeak, stretch the truth or mislead the audience, I am going to call you out on it.

What you just said is not a true statement.
The 08-09 California budget is $140b. The deficit is $16b or 11.4%. Four other states are worse including; Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and Rhode Island. Their deficit as a percentage of total budget is higher than that of California.

Please note - these are growth states.

Also, please note that the California deficit is not as bad as you make it out to be since the national average for the 27 states that currently face budget deficits is 9.7% of their budget.



I was refering to total shortfall, not as a percentage of budget.

http://www.cbpp.org/12-18-07sfp.htm



Then learn to write.

The state has the largest budget by a large margin. One of the few ways in which to compare one deficit to another when the gross budgets are so different is to look at the deficit as a percentage of total spend. There are other ways, including spend per capita, etc. You said California is farther in the red - the statement requires, and you failed to provide context.

So...you are still wrong.

abbazappa

abbazappa

Los Osos, CA
June 2006

MAY 21, 2008 09:25 PM

bald_eagle said:

abbazappa said:
Jeez, the California Democratic State Party seems to be going crazy with new taxes: $1.80 tax on the price of every six-pack of beer, a new tax on all downloads. So itune songs are going to cost 8 cents more (it adds up), then the 25% tax on any item sold in a adult store, ooh I liked this one; that plastic bags are going to cost 25cents per bag to take them out of the store (are the bags even worth that much to start with?!?), then there is a new fee for any vehicles that get less then 15 miles per gallon.


Didn't Conan the Republican sign those into law?


No actualy that is all new taxes that the second article brought up.

joker_

joker_

Windsor, CA
October 2005

MAY 21, 2008 09:31 PM

Thistle said:
Also, I hope they will spend the extra money on roads and schools but they'll probably spend it on prison.



You're probably right.

Sex tax money spent on prisons.
Go Calderon!

AceT

AceT

Portland, OR
April 2004

MAY 21, 2008 11:57 PM

bald_eagle said:
As a cigarette smoker, I gotta say welcome to my world.


400,000 people aren't dying every year because of double dongs though.

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