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To: Eric Wells who wrote (64801)	6/27/1999 2:42:00 PM
From: Rob S.	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 164684

OT The government is already in the pockets of commerce. Yes, it is prejudicial to tax ecommerce at a lower rate than traditional commerce. But then again, taxes are often prejudicial to one industry at the sake of others; governments favor certain industries through tax credits and infrastructure improvements while discouraging others through environmental regulations and non-preferential treatment. Many states offer preferential treatment for high-tech business with the rational that they 1] pollute less, 2] offer high paying jobs, and 3] require fewer government services relative to the tax base they generate. What I am suggesting is little different than measures that have long been practiced. It is a plain fact that our society is rapidly changing to one that is based more on knowledge. It makes sense to shift away from an infrastructure that is based on the automobile and commuter connected urban sprawl. Autos provide great fun and utility but should be encouraged to diminish as the life-blood of our society through incentives to computer rather than commuter connectedness, IMO. I could get into all the costs of our auto-based society, such as pollution health issues, huge rate of traffic death and maiming, environmental damage, depletion of resources, etc., but those things should be well understood. The role of government is to govern for the best of society. IMO, it is very clear that much can be made from the technologically driven social changes that are taking place to enhance people's lives, even the playing field for all citizens, and reduce the strains on our environmental resources. I think there needs to be strong advocacy to push government in this direction. Opposing change will be tremendous entrenched forces - change never comes without disruption and both financial and human costs. The near virgin ecommerce industry has a winning argument but must be prepared to wage war for the hearts and minds of the voter and the politicians.