According to a recent article over on MSN, the New Mexico legislature has introduced a new tax measure that if passed will force consumers to pay a 1% tax on purchases of video games, gaming consoles, and TVs. The generated funds would be put to use by giving programs aimed at getting kids out of the house more green to get the job done. They have even named the bill “The Leave No Child Inside Act.”
Here we go again. Shawn warned us about New Mexico’s plan back in January, but now they have outlined their plans on how to spend the money should the bill pass. New Mexico state parks and the public education department would be able to implement the following:
- Develop curriculum-based programs for teachers to use on public lands and at other outdoor learning sites for outdoor education initiatives;
- Develop hands-on teaching materials for children for use in outdoor education programs;
- Provide transportation for children to experience outdoor education programs;
- Provide substantial and frequent outdoor experiences for children; and
- Increase outdoor nature-oriented physical activity programs for school-age children.
Adam Thierer of the Progress and Freedom Foundation has this to say about the bill:
“The New Mexico tax proposal raises similar fairness questions. Why just blame video games for kids not getting enough time outdoors? How about a tax on social-networking Web sites or instant messaging? Many kids are spending almost as much time online right now as they do playing video games. And what about other types of non-digital games that might keep kids indoors? My daughter spends a lot of time playing Sudoku puzzles, for example. Perhaps we should tax Sudoku books, chessboards, and even arts and crafts! After all, the goal here is to do whatever it takes to get kids outside, right? Or is it really just to get kids to stop playing video games?”
Exactly. If they were to propose a tax on entertainment at large to help fun our National Parks or some other worthwhile venture, I personally would not have a problem with such a tax. But when it is the parents responsibility to limit what their child is exposed to, how in the world would ads funded by tax dollars sway them one way or the other? Parents should be smart enough to know what is or isn’t good for their child, and if they aren’t – they should never have had children in the first place. It is time the government stops trying to be our nanny and focus on more important matters – like disbarring Jack Thompson.
Via: Adam Thierer, MSN
13 Comments to New Mexico Wants to Tax Your Video Games
by: erathoniel
On February 19, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I support a small, reasonable tax like this, but I don’t want it above 2%.
by: William
On February 19, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I do not support taxing specific items. Many taxes in this country are already legally questionable. If they are going to add a tax, it needs to be added to all retail items, not just games.
by: Daniel
On February 19, 2008 at 5:32 pm
So let me get this straight. Every year, the government wants me to pay my yearly taxes. Then, they want to tax all of the food that I eat. Now they want to tax video games specifically?
How about the government keep their dirty hands out of my damn pocket!
by: DancingCorpse
On February 19, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I WANT YOUR MONEY (because you have no women)
by: NinjaMuffin
On February 19, 2008 at 6:16 pm
WHAT HAS NEW MEXICO EVER DONE FOR ME!!! If i can get 5 good reasons that i should pay a tax so fat children will go out and play then someone plaese tell me now.
by: Phil Migrowen
On February 19, 2008 at 6:45 pm
“If they were to propose a tax on entertainment at large to help fun our National Parks or some other worthwhile venture, I personally would not have a problem with such a tax.”
I would have a problem with it because the money spent on entertainment is already taxed TWICE. Once as income tax when the consumer makes the money and again as sales tax when he spends it. This tax would just be an additional money grab on top of those other taxes.
by: Phil Migrowen
On February 19, 2008 at 6:50 pm
“I support a small, reasonable tax like this, but I don’t want it above 2%.”
There is nothing reasonable about this tax. It’s just an additional money grab under the deceitful guise of saving the children and the environment. Government needs to cut wasteful spending instead of always further reaching into taxpayers’ pockets.
by: weclock
On February 19, 2008 at 8:33 pm
stay away from arizona, plz, k, thx.
by: GOLD5
On February 20, 2008 at 2:17 am
So this 1% tax will FORCE all children to stop playing games and go outside? There will be just as many sedentary kids as before, how does this stop them from game playing? If anything it encourages them to stay inside and game MORE, because they will feel they have earned the right through paying the tax.
by: Heru-Ur
On February 20, 2008 at 3:17 am
I wouldnt mind paying more taxes for things like universal health care, better education, etc. This is just plain stupid though.
by: gaston
On February 20, 2008 at 8:56 am
by: ManOfTeal
On February 20, 2008 at 9:04 am
Just don’t bring this crap to Georgia….
by: Xboxlenny
On February 20, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Those tax hungry Dirty Mexicans