Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rob S. who wrote (64767)	6/26/1999 5:25:00 PM
From: im~ristine	Respond to of 164684

Rob that was Awesome! :-)

To: Rob S. who wrote (64767)	6/27/1999 1:09:00 PM
From: Eric Wells	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 164684

>>The government should tax the Internet to a much lesser extent than it taxes regular commerce.<< Rob - I agree with your ideas in theory - in that I feel it would be great if businesses could be taxed differently depending on the government funded resources upon which they rely (whether it be roads, airports, etc.). However, one could take the view that if the government does not tax internet transactions while taxing bricks & mortar transactions, that the government is, in effect, meddling in commerce. By not taxing internet commerce, the government is tipping the scales in favor of internet businesses. And while I am a firm believer in the internet, I believe the playing field should be level. One could even go so far as to say that by not taxing internet commerce, the government is contributing to proping up the market valuations of internet companies, which may ultimately be detrimental to those investors who bought high. I don't believe the government is capable of setting up a tax system whereby businesses pay taxes equal to the amount of government resources upon which they rely. Therefore, I see only two options for the government in collecting taxes: (1) tax no business, or (2) tax all businesses equally. As a business owner, option 1 is desirable but unrealistic. I, personally, am in favor of the government taxing all businesses equally, whether they do business on the internet or in a building - I think this is the safest way for the government to collect revenue without meddling in business. Let market forces decide who wins. Thanks, -Eric Wells