California gets what they voted for

[kubandalum]

California plans taxing text messages:

https://html1-f.scribdassets.com/5rclbo ... a40ab6.jpg

[kubandalum]

Oops. I thought I was posting this on Poli board. Sorry.

[jhawks99]

This is known as a gutter.

[Shirley]

Was that link supposed to inform us? Because if it was, like your title for this thread, it fails miserably.

California's Public Utilities Commission is considering a plan that would charge mobile phone users a fee for sending text messages, according to recent public law filings.

The proposal is partially due to landline-era legislation coupled with the fact the people are shifting patterns away from voice calls in favor of texting.

California is determining whether surcharges and user fees on text messaging comply with Public Purpose Programs, which use tax revenue to make telecommunications services accessible to low-income residents. The programs, which date to the 1930s, were given a face-lift in the late 1990s, allowing individual states to impose requirements to preserve what's referred to as a "universal service."

During the rise of the internet, the telecommunications industry was able to elude these taxes by offering "information services" like email and web browsing.

However, as mobile phone users shifted their behavior away from making phone calls, voice call revenue for these state programs has dropped by about a third, from $16.5 billion in 2011 to $11.3 billion in 2017, according to law filings.

Meanwhile, the budget for subsidizing poorer users has risen by almost half, from $670 million in 2011 to $998 million in 2017, the filings said.

[TDub]

Fucking stupid. I read this yesterday. Tax text messages that we all already pay for as part of our phone plans? So we can subsidize phones for all? What the fuck. Communism.

Reminds me of when i worked in Sesttle and the homeless population all had Nicer phones than me because the city decided a phone was a human right and gave out free phones and plans to the homeless. Bullshit a phone is NOT a basic human right. Its a luxury choice.

[Deleted User 75]

Fucking stupid. I read this yesterday. Tax text messages that we all already pay for as part of our phone plans? So we can subsidize phones for all? What the fuck. Communism.

Reminds me of when i worked in Sesttle and the homeless population all had Nicer phones than me because the city decided a phone was a human right and gave out free phones and plans to the homeless. Bullshit a phone is NOT a basic human right. Its a luxury choice.

Want vs need

Sigh. Our government at work! Socialism/communism is a slippery slope. We give away too many of our rights/too much power and we will never get them/it back.

[TDub]

Free healthcare is socialism

Distributing wealth to provide a semblance of "equality" is communism.

[MICHHAWK]

california, the land of fruits and nuts. I wish it would just go ahead and fall into the ocean. Or breakaway from the union. Either way, fine by me.

[ousdahl]

the only way to fix it is to flush it all away
any fucking time, any fucking day
learn to swim, see you down in, Arizona bay?

[Deleted User 89]

the only way to fix it is to flush it all away
any fucking time, any fucking day
learn to swim, see you down in, Arizona bay?

[zsn]

California has a $15 billion budget surplus and about $14 billion in our "rainy-day fund". Despite apparently-high taxes our economy is booming (and of course we have the related problems of extremely heavy traffic and high cost of housing, and resulting high homelessness). We voted overwhelmingly to raise our gas taxes earlier this year and just now overwhelmingly beat back the effort to repeal it (by a 57-43 margin). We're in much better budget position than Brownbackistan and other "low-tax States". We are the 5th largest economy in the world. So, you can take all your snarkiness and roll-it up and recreate, as we are now legalized!

My guess is that this is much ado about nothing, as they will likely just add a small surcharge to the total bill. So yes, we are fine with it, and we yes, this is what we voted for. We ARE proudly the land of nuts, fruits, salad, wine, microbrews, technology, biopharmaceuticals and entertainment. #CALEXIT!!

[TDub]

^^^^^^ is why everyone hates californians. See ya ...exit away. Remember if you exit you can't as easily keep moving into my spaces (eastern oregon, nw wyoming, idaho, western Montana and buying up all our land, driving up real estate prices, driving out the locals and then complaining that theres not a fucking in and out burger or carls jr and a starbucks and home depot on every corner. Take your filthy microbrew snobby bars back to fucking california. #calexit #getthefuckout #dontletthedoorhitya.

[TDub]

If california is so great why are there so many that feel the need to invade other areas. Yall are like missionaries. We dont want what youre preaching.

[Deleted User 75]

That was awesome.

[zsn]

If california is so great why are there so many that feel the need to invade other areas. Yall are like missionaries. We dont want what youre preaching.

By your own logic then, what is it to you if we decide to tax something or not? We have rejected what you are preaching - (ostensibly) low taxes, and we are better off for it.

[Mjl]

If california is so great why are there so many that feel the need to invade other areas. Yall are like missionaries. We dont want what youre preaching.

By your own logic then, what is it to you if we decide to tax something or not? We have rejected what you are preaching - (ostensibly) low taxes, and we are better off for it.

FTW

[Mjl]

The argument always goes that socialism stifles progress and growth. And people label California as Socialist.

Could someone remind me where most innovative tech from the US comes from?

[TDub]

Because california is part of America. They try to present themselves as the standard bearer for the whole country and impose their ideals and choices on the rest of us. I'd rather not set the precedent that a communistic approach to governing is acceptable or desired. Additionally, the cell phone companies are national, not california specific and once they find that people will pay more they will push their agenda as the national standard. Prices will increase regardless of tax laws in each state.

I didnt say i was against all taxes. This particular tax is ridiculous. Phones are not a neccesity and we do not need to subsidize them.

The holy than thou attitude is what everyone hates about Californians and it is on display. Not unlike the Texans that we all like to watch ousdahl ridicule.

[DCHawk1]

The argument always goes that socialism stifles progress and growth. And people label California as Socialist.

Could someone remind me where most innovative tech from the US comes from?

California is NOT socialist. It is feudal.

The greatest income disparity (by far) in the country and the fourth highest poverty rate are the giveaways. California thrives not because of its economic policies, but in spite of them. With the climate and the resources, you'd have to be pretty damn stoopid to fuck it up (looking at you Arnold!).

[Mjl]

The argument always goes that socialism stifles progress and growth. And people label California as Socialist.

Could someone remind me where most innovative tech from the US comes from?

California is NOT socialist. It is feudal.

The greatest income disparity (by far) in the country and the fourth highest poverty rate are the giveaways. California thrives not because of its economic policies, but in spite of them. With the climate and the resources, you'd have to be pretty damn stoopid to fuck it up (looking at you Arnold!).

Makes sense.