The Drudge Report’s headlining of a Heritage Foundation story titled “Obama Couldn’t Wait: His New Christmas Tree Tax” has created quite a stir. In fact, it is being reported that the administration is now going to delay its implementation due to the outcry. Conservatives and Republicans are particularly incensed. However, it appears that they might want to rethink their Obama-as-Grinch narrative.
The National Taxpayer Union’s Demian Brady posted a link on his Facebook page to the 1996 bill that enabled the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement a “Christmas Tree Tax.” As it turns out, the legislation was sponsored by then Rep. Pat Roberts – a Kansas Republican. John Boehner, the current Republican Speaker of the House, was one of the bill’s co-sponsors. The vote in the House was 318 to 89 with most of the “no” votes coming from Democrats. In the Senate, the vote was 74 to 26. Sen. John McCain was the only Republican to vote “no.”
As for the “Christmas Tree Tax” itself, my colleague Jim Harper is correct that it is indeed a tax (see also Ilya Shapiro’s post). It’s another example of how special interests – in this case, the Christmas tree lobby (!) – dominate policymaking in Washington, regardless of which party is in control. I would argue that there is no good practical, moral, or constitutional justification for the federal government to be involved in the marketing campaigns of business interests. Unfortunately, certain people saw the “Christmas Tree Tax” as an opportunity to further partisan aims rather than provoke a discussion and debate on the proper role of the federal government.
GOP Fingerprints on the ‘Christmas Tree Tax’ is a post from Cato @ Liberty – Cato Institute Blog
When a Government has to stoop down to the level of tax creation for Christmas trees are we able to see the broad effects of tyranny. Stealing in this country is a crime, only some in Government attempt to rationalize and say when Government does it becomes tax not theft. This is an incorrect assumption and again only indicates tyranny against a Public who only wish to live as A Republic. The act of tyranny is against the public rather than in support of such a public.
Our massive ignorance of our own capacities our only weakness because not all ideas are good ones and can be presented as so by the results they bare. We should learn to focus on what each of us are capable of instead of focusing on what others think they are capable of. Capable of detriment is not a great result at all and needs such recognition.
When a Government has to stoop down to the level of tax creation for Christmas trees are we able to see the broad effects of tyranny. Stealing in this country is a crime, only some in Government attempt to rationalize and say when Government does it becomes tax not theft. This is an incorrect assumption and again only indicates tyranny against a Public who only wish to live as A Republic. The act of tyranny is against the public rather than in support of such a public.
Our massive ignorance of our own capacities our only weakness because not all ideas are good ones and can be presented as so by the results they bare. We should learn to focus on what each of us are capable of instead of focusing on what others think they are capable of. Capable of detriment is not a great result at all and needs such recognition.
My family business IS Christmas trees. The problem is not lack of popularity for live trees. We have been in business for over 40 years. In North Carolina, where we are located, tree farms have grown in number and competition is very vigerous, especially in the “choose and cut” industry. The problem is the economy. The retailers who buy from us depend on business profits from the past year and how profitable the past year was and it determines how involved they will be in this seasonal industry. Business in general has not been very good over the past several years. People have had to cut back because many have lost their jobs. Buying that big live tree may not be a wise decision. Whether it comes from democrats or republicans, a tree tax is not a good idea. The government needs to stay out of this industry. A tax affects grower, retailer and consumer.
My family business IS Christmas trees. The problem is not lack of popularity for live trees. We have been in business for over 40 years. In North Carolina, where we are located, tree farms have grown in number and competition is very vigerous, especially in the “choose and cut” industry. The problem is the economy. The retailers who buy from us depend on business profits from the past year and how profitable the past year was and it determines how involved they will be in this seasonal industry. Business in general has not been very good over the past several years. People have had to cut back because many have lost their jobs. Buying that big live tree may not be a wise decision. Whether it comes from democrats or republicans, a tree tax is not a good idea. The government needs to stay out of this industry. A tax affects grower, retailer and consumer.