What, the tax on a pack of cigarettes in Texas -- over a dollar a pack, one of the highest in the nation -- just isn't enough?
I agree that "sin" shouldn't be taxed -- any more than it already is. Last I checked, the tax on a six-pack of beer is far less than the cost of a lottery ticket.1.
I'll add to your list the following: * Entertainment tax. That is, anyone who can afford to buy a two-thousand dollar plasma TV should be willing and able (presumably) to pay a three per cent surcharge beyond the sales tax. * Since Texas doesn't have an income tax, how about implementing one for those making over $125,000 a year? * Allow domestic horticulture of marijuana, make those growing it file as a registered grower and seller, and every quarter, have them report their earnings and submit twenty per cent of their profits. (Yeah, this one has some flaws) * Brand-name tax. My guess is that the Trustafarians and otherwise nouveau-riche folks who buy from American Beagle or Suburban Cloutfitters on a monthly basis won't notice a five per cent surcharge over the sales tax. * Tax PETA for bringing radical activism a bad name and just for being general wanks. NPO my ass. * Tax Guilty White Liberals for being Guilty White Liberals. * Tax right-wing zealots for being right-wing zealots. * Cull the death penalty (bound to save Texas, a state enamoured with human barbecue, upwards of 500 million bucks in court costs a year). * Hire some mafiosa folks to chase down really bad cover bands and say, "Gimme your lunch money or I breaks your legs."
And so on.
1: I have a conundrum-like problem with the lottery as it is. It does provide revenue, yes, but it is a somewhat regressive non-tax "tax" shouldered by the lower class and blue-collar class. For what some people buy in lottery tickets they could easily catch up on bills and put toward mortgages or liens. But I digress.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2004-04-25 12:03 pm (UTC)I agree that "sin" shouldn't be taxed -- any more than it already is. Last I checked, the tax on a six-pack of beer is far less than the cost of a lottery ticket.1.
I'll add to your list the following:
* Entertainment tax. That is, anyone who can afford to buy a two-thousand dollar plasma TV should be willing and able (presumably) to pay a three per cent surcharge beyond the sales tax.
* Since Texas doesn't have an income tax, how about implementing one for those making over $125,000 a year?
* Allow domestic horticulture of marijuana, make those growing it file as a registered grower and seller, and every quarter, have them report their earnings and submit twenty per cent of their profits. (Yeah, this one has some flaws)
* Brand-name tax. My guess is that the Trustafarians and otherwise nouveau-riche folks who buy from American Beagle or Suburban Cloutfitters on a monthly basis won't notice a five per cent surcharge over the sales tax.
* Tax PETA for bringing radical activism a bad name and just for being general wanks. NPO my ass.
* Tax Guilty White Liberals for being Guilty White Liberals.
* Tax right-wing zealots for being right-wing zealots.
* Cull the death penalty (bound to save Texas, a state enamoured with human barbecue, upwards of 500 million bucks in court costs a year).
* Hire some mafiosa folks to chase down really bad cover bands and say, "Gimme your lunch money or I breaks your legs."
And so on.
1: I have a conundrum-like problem with the lottery as it is. It does provide revenue, yes, but it is a somewhat regressive non-tax "tax" shouldered by the lower class and blue-collar class. For what some people buy in lottery tickets they could easily catch up on bills and put toward mortgages or liens. But I digress.