New tax goes into effect tomorrow
By lilwonders
@lilwonders456 (8214)
United States
June 30, 2010 7:32pm CST
The next 10% tax on tanning beds going into effect tomorrow. This is probly one of the stupidest taxes I have ever heard of...but what do you exspect from congress.
I have heard several conversations on this tax. Some calling it justified. Some calling it dumb...heck some people have even been saying it is racist because only light skinned people will be paying the tax (that one threw me until I really thought about it...then I realized it will be mostly on light skinned women that will pay it so is it racist and sexist?).
I am not a fan of tanning beds. But that is just because I don't tan...I just burn. I don't think those that do choose to should have to pay an extra 10% to do so. Heck it is no more unhealthy than laying out in the sun. But do you see the government out on the beaches and in people's backyards charging everyone everytime they sunbath?
I personally think it is just one big money grab. It is being projected that over the next 10 years the tanning bed tax will raise around 2.7 billion dollars for the government. So really...why are they doing it? Because they want more of our money.
Tell me your thoughts on the new law and why we allowed the government to tax us for BS reasons.
3 people like this
9 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
1 Jul 10
It's just another sin/entertainment tax...whichever you want to call it...and the government does it because it can. I don't believe it's sexist or racist though because using a tanning bed isn't something that anyone *has* to do...it's something someone chooses to do, like smoke or drink soda.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
2 Jul 10
Hey, I agree that tanning salons are used almost exclusively by white folks but, again, the tax is not directed at a particular race because people who are technically non-white (Asian for instance) also use them. The tax is directed at an activity. I referred to it as a sin/entertainment tax but someone else put it better...it's a luxury tax and race has nothing to do with it.
1 person likes this
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
2 Jul 10
I am outraged as well Lil. I can't believe the poster boy for the tanning bed industry, John Boehner, didn't personally filibuster this tax. I am surprised that he didn't accuse the Obama administration of personally attacking the always tanned representative from the lacking sun six months out of the year state of OHIO!!!!!! On the bright side, many be this will be a wake up call to Mr. Boehner who has confused many people over the years as to which OHIO he was really from. Even his fellow OHIOANS would like to know where in OHIO you can tan 12 months out of the year.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
3 Jul 10
Thank you Taskr. I really don't know why a 60 year old man needs to look like a 20 year old California girl. He reminds me so much of George Hamilton.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
2 Jul 10
I don't use tanning beds but even if I did I don't think I'd have a major problem with this tax, as far as taxes go. Let's face it, we all wish there were no taxes on anything but we all also like some of the services they pay for such as national defense, police protection, fire fighters, safe roads and bridges, agencies to ensure our food, water, medicine, cars and the toys are kids play with are as safe as possible and many others. This tax is one of the ways to help fund the health care plan so I suppose if you're against the health plan you'd be against the tax.
The tax on tanning beds is one that's not hidden and everyone who hasn't been living in a cave in recent months should be well aware of. In my area from what I understand it will be around a quarter a session for those who pay each time and much less if they pay monthly. As for it being sexist I have one thing to say...John Boehner...lol!
Annie
@sierras236 (2739)
• United States
1 Jul 10
Actually it is sexist, racist, and income skewed (you mean rich, light skinned women who are getting married.) Wonder if this is going to make spray on tans more popular? Tax is probably too late to get a decent income from though do the more popular options of the spray tan or the free option of laying out in the sun.
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
1 Jul 10
Well if it is sexist and racist than it is uncostitutional, right? So why do we allow our elected officials to do it? We are the boss after all.
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
1 Jul 10
It is a luxury tax. I guess those who are earning several times more than the average American feel that the average American who can afford a tanning bed can afford the tax. How utterly preposterous! Do they not realize that if people cut down on using the tanning beds because of this tax, some of these businesses that are involved, such as the tanning lotions, goggles, etc. can go out of business?
I wish we could vote on a pay freeze for 15 years for our government big wigs.
On another note; because of the economy many people are yet unemployed and in need of government services for the first time in their lives. The money has got to come from someplace. I do not agree with how they are trying to get it, but it is needed. If the unemployment rate does not improve substantially soon, we are in for a heap of trouble.
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
4 Jul 10
Then how about taxing something everyone uses...like break or milk? That would be more fair than just taxing people going to tanning beds.
@snapdragons (91)
• United States
1 Jul 10
It's another money grab, this is true. I don't think it's sexist or racist though because there is nothing stopping males and dark skinned people from using tanning beds. Just like there's nothing stopping people from smoking. The government has been taxing us for BS reasons for years and we allow it because right now we can't stop it.
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
4 Jul 10
We can stop them...we just don't. We elected them. They represent us. If we let them know we won't stand for BS taxes...tehy would not do it. But we let them...so they do.
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
1 Jul 10
Add people with stretch marks to that list. I like to tan so my stretch marks arent as noticeable. And it makes me feel good about myself, just as getting a haircut or manicure. All of which I have cut back on simply because of the cost. Way to dampen the mood on the woman around. Leading to more irritation and lower self esteem. Not the Cause, but a prevention on something that is enjoyable to people. I think that the people need to find a way to boycott something to make a favorable shift in our favor.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
1 Jul 10
lil - ssshhhh dont give them ideas or they WILL be at the beach and in yards. They just havent worked out the details yet!
I agree it is a money grab. For crying out loud, lets tax manicures and pedicures now. oh wait I think they have. Well crap
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Ronald Reagan
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
1 Jul 10
Any way the government can find to take our money, they will. We allow them to tax us for BS reasons because we haven't found a way to stop them. It hasn't done us any good to tell this administration how we feel about anything they're doing, they don't care. They're going to do whatever they want to do and we're just SOL.
