In the early days of automobiles, many legislators complained about them. “Why should we encourage them?”, they asked.
“Because you can tax them. You can tax gasoline, oil, and tires. You can make them pay and pay and pay.”
So, roads were built, many still charging tolls for roads whose costs have long been repaid, but which now support whole hosts of those who choose to be so supported.
Today, traveling on the internet has not yet been taxed, but every tax-addict wants to do so. “It’s for their own good. We have to pay for more programs to help them. We need to tax the internet.”
Many proposals are huge, complicated schemes to collect sales tax on anything sold through the internet. Others just “want a penny tax, just one penny,” on every email. Unlike automobiles, internet users have the ability to affect the thinking of some legislators, so its unlikely that anything will be passed soon.
But, when tax-addicts fail to get more money through legislation, they usually find success by turning to the courts. “It’s only fair that they should pay.”, they will say to judge after judge. Eventually, some “enlightened” jurist will agree.
And, we will be taxed.
