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September 22, 2009
Only in Oakland?
This article from Oakland's East Bay Express is a classic illustration of what you get when you live in a left wing city that's hurting for money. They come up with fiendish new tax schemes and tyrannical restrictions on businesses. Apparently, some genius in the Oakland bureaucracy figured out that it would be legal to apply laws originally designed to tax and regulate pawn shops to other businesses that deal in used goods. Small Oakland retailers, already suffering because of the recession and the proliferation of Internet shopping, are angry about the City of Oakland's decision to begin collecting a hefty new business tax. The fees could amount to more than $600 per business and apply to sellers of used goods -- such as used book, clothing, record, and toy stores, and antique shops. The city has sent letters to dozens of such retailers across Oakland, demanding that they pay the tax and force their employees to be fingerprinted, or face additional penalties.The kicker is that they could law apply the law to almost anyone: under a liberal reading of the law, there is no reason it shouldn't also apply to garage sales.Or Ebay sellers, for that matter. It's easy to laugh at Oakland because it is such a left-wing city, but if you think ideas like that don't spread, think again. City bureaucrats attend conventions and share ideas, and many a goofy idea we all laughed at (like bans on smoking, trans fats, and dog testicles) started in nutty left wing cities and towns, and eventually ended up being de rigueur everywhere. After all, these things are called "progressive." Besides, as we all know, only mean-spirited bigots mind paying their taxes! (You know, like Geithner, Rangel, ACORN....) posted by Eric on 09.22.09 at 08:16 PM
Comments
There does seem to be attacks on selling used articles such as at garage sales nationwide. Recently there was a bill passed here, Illinois, concerning selling previously recalled items, kiddie items must have no lead signs, and having to pay sales tax and keep records, etc. Jim G · September 23, 2009 01:58 PM What usually happens is these municipalities and states that place punitive taxes or other burdens on businesses and property owners experience substantial emigration. Their next step is to loudly claim the places attracting emigrants are "stealing" from them, or "competing unfairly." Odd how "fairness" always requires coercive action from government. Steve Skubinna · September 23, 2009 02:00 PM clotheshorse beatniks:aprons presumptive voids:depreciation brutalizing fretfully winked! Anonymous · September 26, 2009 12:57 PM Post a comment
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Liberals and socialists do not seem to understand that if taxes are too high business will shut down or move giving them zero revenue.
The same applies to taxing wealth, wealth can and will relocate.