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[Kittonwy]

Aren't they supposed to be earning a minimum wage regardless of their legal status?

No, because they aren't Americans, why would they be protected by minimum wage legislations? If anything they should be shipped back where they came from, and that's being kind.

If someone breaks into your house and sets himself up in your basement, are you going to care whether he gets three meals a day? I don't know about you but I would probably throw him out... into a moat.

 

[scorcho]

No, because they aren't Americans, why would they be protected by minimum wage legislations? If anything they should be shipped back where they came from, and that's being kind.

If someone breaks into your house and sets himself up in your basement, are you going to care whether he gets three meals a day? I don't know about you but I would probably throw him out... into a moat.

:lol You canadiens are hysterical

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

So, does anyone believe that technology, which has its merits, forces us to the point where us humans cannot think on our own and diminishes creativity and imagination? Seriously, I think the internet has created a generation of idiots.

 

[Pctx]

Reads thread title:

Democrats push for taxing internet sales

Then....

So, does anyone believe that technology, which has its merits, forces us to the point where us humans cannot think on our own and diminishes creativity and imagination?

WTF!?!? :lol

 

[balladofwindfishes]

You don't pay sales tax on online purchases already?
New York's been doing this forever. I have to pay tax on anything I get from Amazon.

The only purchases that are tax free are those from Steam.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

WTF!?!? :lol

I was further expanding Turnbuckle's post on machines on the last page. I think this thread has turned many directions. :lol

 

[Link1110]

You don't pay sales tax on online purchases already?
New York's been doing this forever. I have to pay tax on anything I get from Amazon.

The only purchases that are tax free are those from Steam.

I live in NY, and don't pay for sales tax when I do. Netflix and Play-Asia are an awesome combo.

 

[ClosingADoor]

So, does anyone believe that technology, which has its merits, forces us to the point where us humans cannot think on our own and diminishes creativity and imagination? Seriously, I think the internet has created a generation of idiots.

If anything the internet is giving everyone more access to knowledge. I know I learn a lot every day from coming across random shit here on GAF and being linked to interesting articles.

 

[Drkirby]

You don't pay sales tax on online purchases already?
New York's been doing this forever. I have to pay tax on anything I get from Amazon.

The only purchases that are tax free are those from Steam.

Nope, none here.

I don't think Florida is going to push the issue to much, since the people in the states capital have this weird idea that most of our sales tax money comes from Tourist, not the people living here (Which I think is BS and they are crazy old men, but I don't have any numbers right now), so most likely they would reason a tax on online sales would only hurt the people living here, and not affect tourists at all.

 

[Pctx]

I was further expanding Turnbuckle's post on machines on the last page. I think this thread has turned many directions. :lol

Oh I know... but this is by far the most bizarre turn of events.

 

[Mudkips]

Machines aren't anywhere near being able to do that stuff as effectively as humans can.

I would like to see this shelf stocking machine of yours. How much does it cost? What is the expected level of maintenance per year?

Obviously:

1) Maybe not the machines YOU can afford.

2) Anything that can't be done with machines will be done by a monkey until we can improve our machines and their cost-effectiveness.

 

[turnbuckle]

Machines aren't anywhere near being able to do that stuff as effectively as humans can.

As for the rest of your points, yes, in the perfect world everyone would be paid fairly and everyone working a 40 hour work week should be able to pay for your living. But I'm afraid that is never going to happen.

It's not about doing things effectively in many cases. It's about doing them somewhat adequately for as little cost as possible. And when I say machine, I don't mean that there won't be any human involvement, but rather the amount of human involvement will be shrunk dramatically. Just like fast food restaurants that now outsource their drive thru orders, or computer operators for customer service.

As for what I said never happening - I'm pretty sure you're right, but not because it's something that couldn't happen. It's just that enough people accept that it can't happen and thus we'll slide perpetually in the opposite direction. If we have to accept that, then I wonder what all those "just be resourceful, try harder, pick yourself up by your bootstraps" folks think is the proper way to deal with those that can't make a living while working, or can't even get a job despite their best efforts. Just repeat the same mantra ad nauseum?

I would like to see this shelf stocking machine of yours. How much does it cost? What is the expected level of maintenance per year?

Wait this was that internet tax topic? Are you sure, it doesn't look like it to me? The mods must be playing a joke, switching topic titles.

Much of the job that a store stocker once did has or can be automated. POS systems and Electronic shelf labels make the job of pricing and counting shelf stock more efficient. Online stores lessen the need for stocking traditional shelves. The shelves at retail will still need to be replenished (for now) by some low wage grunt, but the automation of much of what many stockers used to do has definitely marginalized the utility of that job - enough so that less of them are needed to be employed for a set amount of product than in the past.

But do you honestly not think we'll eventually have retail stores that are more streamlined? It's not radical to imagine stores with no human floor workers except for a couple of managers and maintenance staff. Pick what you want to buy from the store online, have it generate a barcode that you can upload on your phone, scan that barcode from your phone at the "retail station" and have those items sent through the warehouse to the register via conveyor belt or something similar. Order is already priced out - insert your cash or credit card, and then you're done. No visible shelves to stock, just the warehouse.

 

[turnbuckle]

So, does anyone believe that technology, which has its merits, forces us to the point where us humans cannot think on our own and diminishes creativity and imagination? Seriously, I think the internet has created a generation of idiots.

Reading this without seeing your avatar, I thought it was SomeDude. You adding a second sentence (as well as not ending it with a "?") was the dead giveaway that it wasn't him.

 

[ClosingADoor]

As for what I said never happening - I'm pretty sure you're right, but not because it's something that couldn't happen. It's just that enough people accept that it can't happen and thus we'll slide perpetually in the opposite direction. If we have to accept that, then I wonder what all those "just be resourceful, try harder, pick yourself up by your bootstraps" folks think is the proper way to deal with those that can't make a living while working, or can't even get a job despite their best efforts. Just repeat the same mantra ad nauseum?

The thing is, new technology also brings new kinds of jobs. People just need to adapt. Tons of people are working in industries now that couldn't even exist 25 years ago.

 

[legend166]

It's to offset us having to pay to receive text messages on cellphones.

You have to pay to receive text messages in America?

I can't even begin to wrap my head around that. Text messages literally cost phone companies $0.

 

[Yaweee]

You have to pay to receive text messages in America?

I can't even begin to wrap my head around that. Text messages literally cost phone companies $0.

20 cents each!

 

[PSGames]

The difference is that they dont tax that already, where purchases made at stores within a state already charge tax. This is just making it a uniform thing within the states and not giving certain things such as Amazon, a free pass of not charging the tax that most places are required to do already.

Online purchases also come with a shipping charge and a wait period. Where as if you buy somethin locally you get it right then and there. I wouldn't exactly say Amazon has a free pass here. If you want more selection but a longer wait you buy online. If you want something right then you buy locally but have to pay a bit more. They seem to balance each other out.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

Online purchases also come with a shipping charge and a wait period. Where as if you buy somethin locally you get it right then and there. I wouldn't exactly say Amazon has a free pass here. If you want more selection but a longer wait you buy online. If you want something right then you buy locally but have to pay a bit more. They seem to balance each other out.

Except the taxes.

 

[ILikeFeet]

in a thread about sales taxes on the internet, we have Pokemon and Soul Eater in one post :lol

 

[legend166]

20 cents each!

I....what....is....don't...even.....


Seriously though, text messages just use the left over space in existing radio waves. So when I say it costs companies $0, I mean it costs them $0.

How much does the sender have to pay?

 

[Wellscha]

Fuck online sales tax. As i'm not being taxed enough!

Spoiler

I'm paying Amazon sales tax dammit

 

[speculawyer]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-20009603-38.html

How do you feel?

Personally, I think this NEEDS to pass. I'm against new taxes more than anyone else but, this is not a new tax. To get this country back on the path it needs to be, the states can't have budget deficits.

Yeah . . . no one wants to pay taxes. But the whole 'no tax' thing on internet sales is almost like Napster . . . internet aided theft. Technically . . . you are supposed to pay taxes on all those things you bought from Amazon. States could fine or jail just about their entire populations.

And if it wasn't for the fact that most states are going bankrupt, this wouldn't be a big deal. But the states have really taken a hit by losing all this tax revenue.

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

I can't believe there wasn't one already. It seems ridiculous that there's not.

My thoughts exactly.

And :lol at the people thinking this is wrong or outlandish.

Coming from someone who only buys online.

 

[turnbuckle]

The thing is, new technology also brings new kinds of jobs. People just need to adapt. Tons of people are working in industries now that couldn't even exist 25 years ago.

It does. But it doesn't mean it has to replace the jobs 1:1. Those jobs tend to be higher paying and more skilled, but the concern is that there'll be fewer and fewer jobs for those that don't have the experience or ability to do what's left. I'm not arguing for technology to slow down, but rather some rethinking on how to deal with such realities. Reducing the work week and lowering the retirement age are a couple things I think should get some real consideration in the long term.

It boggles the mind that so many want the retirement age to increase while simultaneously extolling the virtues of efficiency. People live longer, but old is old. Forcing them to retire later puts more employees in the labor pool, and the jobs available to non-professional grays (or even professional fogies) are limited as younger people are generally more physically and mentally capable. Also, the prospect of a 65 year old retraining for a new field should their job disappear is pretty grim.

Lift the SS income limit, enforce sales taxes on online sales, give people enough of a wage to live off of, and reduce the standard work week so they'll have time and ability to spend it.

And now I'll wake up and get back to work. :lol

 

[Diablos]

It's only a matter of time.

Also, didn't a Republican try to push a similar bill or at least initiative a few years ago? Pretty sure there was a bi-partisan movement, too.

Pile it on the Democrats in a bad year for them politically (the GOP probably will too), but it's likely going to happen in the next few years. Kind of like how the Internet has a good chance of becoming a locked down corporate police state in the next 10.

 

[Price Dalton]

If anything the internet is giving everyone more access to knowledge. I know I learn a lot every day from coming across random shit here on GAF and being linked to interesting articles.

Some would say such readily available information hurts our ability to concentrate and think deeply.

 

[PSGames]

Except the taxes.

If they imposed taxes on online sales you would be forced to pay MORE than a local store (because of shipping charges) plus you would have to wait for an item to be shipped to you. Who in their right mind would do that? There would be absolutely no incentive to buy online.

The current system levels the playing field.

 

[zoku88]

I....what....is....don't...even.....


Seriously though, text messages just use the left over space in existing radio waves. So when I say it costs companies $0, I mean it costs them $0.

How much does the sender have to pay?

I think incoming and outgoing are about the same. This happens with calls too,btw

 

[Holmes]

In the end, does it even matter? Your lives won't change even if this passes. smh.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

If they imposed taxes on online sales you would be forced to pay MORE than a local store (because of shipping charges) plus you would have to wait for an item to be shipped to you. Who in their right mind would do that? There would be absolutely no incentive to buy online.

The current system levels the playing field.

It would not be more expensive than the store though. Some items yes, some items no. And some stuff you dont even pay shipping. Online usually has a vastly superior selection and you can shop more places without even having to leave the house. Your argument makes no sense. Taxing the goods bought online would be the same as taxing the goods bought in the state. If the companies and states could get streamlined tax codes and laws this would not be a huge issue.

The big issue comes from the fact that they have not enforced it yet, and I am surprised they havent. Everyone has gotten used to the no tax loophole, and the government is just trying to close that loophole. It was only a matter of time.

In the end, does it even matter? Your lives won't change even if this passes. smh.

Right on, Holmes!

 

[Rentahamster]

People, improving technology and efficiency is a good thing as it leads to greater effective usage of limited resources, greater productivity, and increased net wealth generation and prosperity. See the loom, printing press, water mill, assembly line, etc etc.

Please don't argue against the evils of tech progress, as it makes you appear like a Luddite.

Online shopping provides yet another choice to consumers, one that is convenient, and saves time that could be used towards other, more productive means.

Besides, I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but online shopping and home delivery produces much less CO2 than traditional retail shopping. Why encourage inefficient and environmentally unfriendly behavior?

http://www.greenlogistics.org/PageView.aspx?id=179

http://www.greenlogistics.org/PageView.aspx?id=197

In the end, does it even matter? Your lives won't change even if this passes. smh.

Yes, it does. Yes, it will.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

My thoughts exactly.

And :lol at the people thinking this is wrong or outlandish.

Coming from someone who only buys online.

More like :lol at people making it sound like states having budget problems are solely because of this.

 

[The Librarian]

You know, every time I see Kittonwy talk about American politics, I remind myself that he's Canadian, and then I chuckle.