Congress should say no to Obama's Christmas tree tax

[happyg]

By MARK TAPSCOTT
Whether people say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays," one thing they shouldn't have to say about the favorite season of kids everywhere is "Christmas tree tax."

But this perennial stinker of an idea from special-interest grinches with connections in the Obama White House is back, this time in the farm bill now before Congress.

The proposal is a 15-cent tax to be paid on every freshly-cut Christmas tree sold in America. President Obama, at the urging of the National Christmas Tree Association, first proposed it in 2011.

Say no, again

The Obama proposal establishes the levy and a Christmas tree promotional board. "Promotional boards" are classic Big Government-Big Business tools used to rob, rule or regulate the many and benefit the few.

As the Heritage Foundation's Amy Payne notes this morning on the think tank's Foundry blog, Obama backed off the last time around and issued a stay. But earlier this year, the House Agriculture Committee lifted the stay.
 
Now with Congress trying to get a farm bill done, the danger is it will be rushed through at the end of the year without time to debate the Christmas tree tax.

We're from the government ...

As Payne points out, "One way to actually hurt the image of the Christmas tree is to make it a symbol of taxation during the holiday season."

The Christmas tree levy would be only 15 cents now, but there are two certainties about taxes — they almost never are repealed and they always go up.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2540293

[rangerrebew]

I think a 30 cent tax increase on all Halal food would be appropriate.  Or a dollar on all copies of the Koran.  Finally, a dollar tax on all towels purchased by muslims.

[happyg]

I think a 30 cent tax increase on all Halal food would be appropriate.  Or a dollar on all copies of the Koran.  Finally, a dollar tax on all towels purchased by muslims.

Sounds good to me.

[flowers]

they have been trying to get this the past few years I think

[rangerrebew]

they have been trying to get this the past few years I think

They have and it is just another attack on the symbols of a free, Christian United States.

[mountaineer]

The Obama proposal establishes the levy and a Christmas tree promotional board. "Promotional boards" are classic Big Government-Big Business tools used to rob, rule or regulate the many and benefit the few.

These people are doing something seriously wrong if they believe they need a tax-funded promotional board. Who doesn't already know about Christmas holiday trees?