How can government kill business?
By taxing it to death.
Credit: George Mathis
Credit: George Mathis
In Alabama, politicians operate like they do everywhere else. Instead of spending what they take in in revenue, lawmakers increase taxes so they can spend as much as they say they need.
Too bad we can't all manage our finances that way.
Desperate for cash to fund a $200 million "shortfall" Alabama lawmakers have turned their eyes towards consumer vices, saying they want to add an additional 25 cents on cigarettes. (Ironically, until 2014, the federal government paid subsidies to farmers who grew a known cancer-causing product.)
Now, our western neighbors want to add a 40 percent tax on porn .
Haven't lawmakers heard the porn industry is struggling? Internet piracy has gutted the adult film biz and adding a 40 percent tax to legal purchases is akin to rolling a keg of rum aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge .
What lawmakers might not know is Alabama -- being the shining buckle of the Bible Belt -- isn't all that into porn.
According to a PornHub study, Alabamians download less porn than average for a Republican state (16th out of the 24 "Red" states).
Georgia, of course, is almost No. 1 in that category. Unlike football, we are narrowly edged by Kansas, which according to this Kansas State marching band video may have sexual repression/Star Trek issues .
"Blue" states watch more porn the Republican states, per capita, according to PornHub.
Among all states, Georgia is 8th, exactly where UGA ranks among 'party schools' and only one spot lower than where the football team is ranked nationally .
If Alabama really wants to stimulate the economy (and generate more tax revenue), they'd emulate the U.S. president who pushed for the biggest income tax break ever and slash taxes and increase the minimum wage. Or, maybe they could find a way to spend only as much as they have?
About the Author
