Online sales tax should offset other taxes
I purchase on the Internet to save on sales taxes, and to obtain better product selections of the latest technology at lower prices than are generally available at local retailers. However, I do not shop at local merchants and then order online. I can do that much more effectively online while saving gas. Even with the online taxes the local retailers must become more competitive with online retailers to entice customers, otherwise online sales will still continue at the expense of local retailers. An online tax will not be a cure-all for local retailers.
My primary issue with proposed online sales taxes is this: What will the Tennessee General Assembly do with these windfall tax revenues? These tax revenues may be as much as $300 million to $400 million annually.
This new tax revenue should be treated under a zero-sum gain in the annual state budget processes. That is, this additional revenue should offset existing state taxes resulting in no additional tax revenues on the citizens of this great state. One excellent candidate would be the reduction or elimination of sales taxes on groceries. This would be a welcome benefit to all the people, not a select few as a tax holiday provides.
DAVID LACY, Winchester, Tenn.
Emerson quote still relatable today
While reading Lincoln I ran across a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson regarding the lure of politics.