The Tea Party of West Michigan (motto: “Influence policy, effect [sic] elections, protect the Constitution”) is a constant source of entertainment and amazement to me. They amaze me because of their impressive ability to turn out their supporters to contact their legislators to get things done according to their distorted worldview in Lansing. They are VERY good at doing this, far better than progressives are.
They entertain me because… well, because of stuff like this:
From: Tea Party of West Michigan
Date: December 10, 2014
Subject: Vote on internet tax today.Call your Reps.and any others you have time to call
Arguments can be made on the merits of a level playing field however what it boils down to in my book is tyranny as it’s just another confiscation of our wealth and the large companies like Amazon who lobbied for this will benefit as it will remove many small business internet companies hence thinning down their competition.
URGENT. Tax Increase Vote Today in MI House of Representatives –
HB 4202 and HB 4203 would put Michigan’s small online retailers out of business. Vote is today! This came up so suddenly, I’m not sure anyone realizes it is going to be voted on today!
That’s an unadulterated email (typos are all theirs) that I received from them a couple of days ago. What they are talking about are two bills – HB 4202 and HB 4203 – that would force online sellers to collect Michigan sales tax. It would raise tax revenues in our struggling state by $60 million and $200 million according to some estimates.
Right now, Michiganders who buy things online are required to self-report and pay the taxes when they file their tax returns. Raise you hand if you have EVER done this.
Right. That’s what I thought. Me neither. In fact, last year only 108,600 Michigander voluntarily paid $5.87 million in sales taxes from their internet purchases.
Seems like a reasonable law and, yes, Amazon and other big online retailers like this because it’s much easier for them to make it happen than a small business. But will it “put Michigan’s small online retailers out of business”? Uh, no.
Is it a “confiscation of our wealth”. Surely not.
Is it “tyranny”? I’m going to go with no on that one, too.
But these “patriots” think that being required to pay ANY tax as an American is tyranny and they’d prefer to continue breaking the law rather than having to do their duty as citizens and pay taxes as part of the cost of being in the best country in the world.
Someday, they’re going to cry WOLF! TYRANNY! one time too many and nobody is going to listen to them or take them seriously any longer.
Honestly, you’d think we’d be at that place now. Sadly, it does not appear to be the case.
