IP: Internet taxes not inevitable

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> From: "Diamond, Richard" <Richard.Diamond () mail house gov> 
> Subject:
> Internet Taxes not Inevitable 
> Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 17:05:32 -0400 
>
> House Majority Leader Dick Armey sent this letter to his colleagues opposing
> the notion that Net taxes are "inevitable" and called for a permanent
> moratorium on Internet taxation:
> http://freedom.gov/library/technology/pr990628.asp
>
> June 28, 1999
> Internet Taxes not Inevitable
>
> Dear Colleague,
>
>         Last year, we unanimously voted to place a temporary moratorium on
> new Internet taxes and create a commission to study the issue.  
>
>         This commission met in Williamsburg last week.  Following this
> meeting I have noticed several disturbing news articles that say, among
> other things, that "Tax-free Web goods may disappear" and "Net e-commerce
> taxes called inevitable."
>
>         Not so fast.
>
>         Only Congress can authorize one state to compel sellers in another
> state to collect Net taxes. And the American people would never stand for
> it. Over 26,000 individuals came to my website (www.freedom.gov) to express
> their opinion on the issue.  Only 3 percent said the Internet should be
> taxed.
>
>         I side with the 97 percent that visited my site and spoke out
> against Internet taxation.  We should take steps to immediately place a
> permanent moratorium on Internet taxation.  Rep. Chris Cox and others have
> already blazed the trail on this issue and we need to rally behind them to
> ensure that the Internet remains free forever from predatory state and local
> taxation.
>
>         Let's keep the spirit of the e-Contract and allow high-tech America
> to flourish by keeping government out of the way.  Let's clear up the
> confusion and pass legislation making the Internet Tax Freedom Act's
> moratorium permanent.
>
>                                                 Sincerely,
>                                                 DICK ARMEY
>                                                 Member of Congress