We all want the same things from the community where we
live, work and play. A good community is defined by its safety, prosperity and
equality. These are qualities that each community member must strive for in
both their public and private lives. At times we act in ways that impact our
communities without realizing the harm we have wrought. It can be so easy, as
easy as a, “click away”.
This posting is not meant to discourage people from using
the Internet, but to ask that the Internet respect the laws of our community.
Any company seeking to conduct business, whether with a real storefront or a
virtual shingle on the Internet, must obey the laws that the community has
established. In Maine, we have a sale tax on certain goods and services sold
throughout the state.
The sales tax funds the important work of state government
to ensure the safety, prosperity and equality of each and every community in
Maine. This is done because roads we drive on, the police who protect our
homes, the schools that educate our children are of a benefit to everyone. The
businesses that reside in our community recognize this and collect the sales
tax at the point of sale to turn over to the state for the good of our
communities.
There are some Internet vendors, Amazon.com and
Overstock.com, who want the public to do the accounting work for them. They
want each of to remember every MP3, every book, every gift we purchase online
and then make sure the state receives it due at tax time. Truth is many of us
will never account for every purchase while we struggle to get our paperwork
done before April 15th. Those Internet vendors are counting on it, because by
not charging the sale tax when we click on the purchase tab allows the Internet
vendor the illusion lower prices. It is an unfair and soon to be illegal
practice that only hurts the Maine street businesses that respect our laws,
employ us and contribute to our communities in so many unseen ways.
In the coming weeks, this blog will delve further into the
realities that these Internet vendors do not wish any Mainer to see.
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