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News & ArtsTuesday, March 9, 2010
Politics / Chow / Retail They're Gonna Tax Mah Traditions!
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 9:31 AM
There are signs in the windows of See's Candy downtown urging patrons to call Ed Murray, Jamie Pedersen, and Frank Chopp. "Family Traditions Should NOT Be Taxed," reads the sign. "Don't let them tax your Valentine's Day candy, your child's Easter candy, or your occasional candy treat!"
First, why do Ed, Jamie and Frank hate our traditions? And our Easter? And our Jesus? And our children? And our occasional candy treats?
Second, last night the Washington state House of Representatives approved a bill that ends the sales-tax exemption on candy, joining 29 other states in taxing the sale of candy. The new tax—if it makes it through—is expected to generate about $28 million a year in revenues for the state. It will also make Jesus cry.
1
While they are putting basically a sin tax on candy, I say they extend it to the GINORMOUS "bagels" at Vivace. Those are more dangerous to the public health than a little candy now and then. I swear those "bagels" must contain a week's worth of carbs.
4
See's must have gotten that GOP powerpoint presentation
Thank god Seattle is so against taxes, See's is saved by our reliable conservative voting record.
Thank god Seattle is so against taxes, See's is saved by our reliable conservative voting record.
14
I'm a candy whore and I'm happy to be taxed on it. Pretty lame, See's. I might have to write them a letter.
16
We don't tax food, well unprepared food anyways, because the sales tax is already dickish enough to the poor. Candy is not exactly food in the sense that we all need it to live. And really how much do people spend on candy a years, a couple hundred bucks? So thats like another 20 per year to enjoy ones oh so special traditions.
Big fucking deal Sees.
Big fucking deal Sees.
17
Hey #13, I'd still tap Kirk Cameron's ass anytime of the week. (Besides, he's too hot for his age to be "straight" if you know what I mean)
I'm trying to start a campaign to get See's to leave Washington state if the bill becomes signed into law. Their belief they don't have to collect (remember they're not paying it, the customers are) is totaly bullshit.
I'm trying to start a campaign to get See's to leave Washington state if the bill becomes signed into law. Their belief they don't have to collect (remember they're not paying it, the customers are) is totaly bullshit.
21
While this will affect my neighborhood - Theo's Chocolate factory is two blocks from my house - it's better than raising the sales tax.
22
See's isn't interested in protecting any "tradition", unless it's their traditional profit margin. From their perspective, adding 10% to the cost of their candy is going to cut into that margin, simply because a lot of people buy See's by-the-piece, which means fewer individual pieces being sold. People who buy boxes of candy are still going to buy them and pay the sales tax, but perhaps not quite as often.
Although, personally, I am a bit bummed by this, as it's going to add an extra $0.45 or $0.50 to my bars of Theo. But, considering how rarely I do that (I can stretch one of those 91% Coasta Rican bars a looooong ways) I think I for one can absorb the extra cost.
Although, personally, I am a bit bummed by this, as it's going to add an extra $0.45 or $0.50 to my bars of Theo. But, considering how rarely I do that (I can stretch one of those 91% Coasta Rican bars a looooong ways) I think I for one can absorb the extra cost.
23
Wait, if there's no sales tax on candy for religious reasons, then is there no sales tax on communion wine? Since churches are typically tax-exempt when it comes to most things anyway I can understand why their purchases of communion wine might be tax-free, but if the issue is taxing Valentine's Day candy then isn't it equally unfair to tax green beer on St. Patrick's Day? They're both saints.
24
Given Warren Buffet's hypocritical shitspeech about the estate tax, I can't in good conscience spend a dime at See's Candies since its owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Buffet is always shrieking about how wonderful the estate tax is because it prevents our country from "becoming a dynastic plutocracy" and repealing it would be a "gift to the rich". What a crock of fucking shit.
The real reason Buffet wants to keep the estate tax is that he makes oodles of money from it. First, he owns insurance companies. The insurance industry makes about $12 billion a year from insurance policies that are purchased in an attempt to minimize estate taxes. Secondly, he's acquired numerous companies at fire sale prices (Dairy Queen for example) because the families were forced to sell the business to pay the estate tax.
He can shove that candy up his ass.
The real reason Buffet wants to keep the estate tax is that he makes oodles of money from it. First, he owns insurance companies. The insurance industry makes about $12 billion a year from insurance policies that are purchased in an attempt to minimize estate taxes. Secondly, he's acquired numerous companies at fire sale prices (Dairy Queen for example) because the families were forced to sell the business to pay the estate tax.
He can shove that candy up his ass.
28
Dan, gays shouldn't shop at See's. Here in San Francisco See's decided to close there Union Square store because they rented it from the city and a new lease would have come with the requirement that the company offer benefits to same-sex partners of employees. Having a shop in Union Square wasn't a tradition See's cared about when it meant helping the gays; they pulled a straight Catholic Charities on that long standing custom!
29
@28 If you knew how well a pound of See's chocolates delivered to my 86 year old mother every holiday and birthday keeps her off my back re:everything she's been complaining about for the last 47 years you would keep this information to yourself.
30
That's not entirely true.
See's is well within its rights to oppose a tax on its own product, and everyone else is well within their rights to ignore them. Big fucking deal.
@24,
Planning on dying a millionaire, huh? Good luck with that.
(remember they're not paying it, the customers are)
That's not entirely true.
See's is well within its rights to oppose a tax on its own product, and everyone else is well within their rights to ignore them. Big fucking deal.
@24,
Planning on dying a millionaire, huh? Good luck with that.
32
Good thing I bought a one pound bar of belgian dark chocolate goodness for only $5.99 at Trader Joe's before the tax increase.
Nom.
Nom.
Nom.
Nom.
Nom.
Nom.
34
@24:
So, you hate Warren Buffet because supports the Estate Tax because he thinks it's good for business?
What are you? A freakin' Commie or something?
So, you hate Warren Buffet because supports the Estate Tax because he thinks it's good for business?
What are you? A freakin' Commie or something?
36
Hmm, just use the words "Family Tradition" and everyone's briefs get all bunched up. Well, guess what, in my all encompassing family it is tradition to have See's candy at Christmas, guess that means I'm anti progressive. Tradition doesn't always mean right wing. Seriously chill. And there was more going on with that San Fran store that what the other poster wrote. Gut reactions shouldn't be the final word on any subject.
37
@24, Its also quite good for charities.
And really families only have to sell their businesses when they fail to plan. Might as well blame the income tax for a bankruptcy because someone refused to save and plan for it and got hit with a tax bill they could not pay. Taxes are part of life and business and until we come up with a means of funding government that doesn't cost us anything we are stuck with them.
Sorry but if you are to lazy to plan for known taxes I could really care less when your heirs lose them.
And really families only have to sell their businesses when they fail to plan. Might as well blame the income tax for a bankruptcy because someone refused to save and plan for it and got hit with a tax bill they could not pay. Taxes are part of life and business and until we come up with a means of funding government that doesn't cost us anything we are stuck with them.
Sorry but if you are to lazy to plan for known taxes I could really care less when your heirs lose them.
38
Washington used to tax all food. That was eliminated by initiative in 1977. I guess we didn't have any family traditions before that.
39
Or the families simply don't want to have to do any actual work in upkeeping the business and just want the money.
Also, the notion that Dairy Queen was sold to Berkshire over estate taxes is laughable. That was in 1998. DQ was a well-established international franchising business by then, though foundering a bit. The family more likely looked at that sweet, sweet BRK stock and couldn't resist. Smart move, really, since the A shares offered then have almost doubled in value.
Also, the notion that Dairy Queen was sold to Berkshire over estate taxes is laughable. That was in 1998. DQ was a well-established international franchising business by then, though foundering a bit. The family more likely looked at that sweet, sweet BRK stock and couldn't resist. Smart move, really, since the A shares offered then have almost doubled in value.
40
and while your at it, tax the shit out of soda and junk food. yes, it's a sin tax, because these "food" items provide barely any nutritional value at all. my addiction to potato chips does not need any help by making the damn things cheap. oh, and give poor people free fruits and vegetables, subsidized by the taxes. better yet, give them a p-patch.
41
@34 - Warren doesn't think the estate tax is good for business. He thinks it's good for himself. The estate tax has allowed Buffet to acquire numerous businesses at fire sale prices - he's screwing the family business. I don't find that to be pro-business. Don't say you like the estate tax because it helps poor people when you really only like it because it allows you to fuck families dealing with the loss of a loved one. Warren ought to try being honest.
42
Denver just passed through a similar measure, and it's awesome. This is an end to an exemption that shouldn't exist in the first place - candy is not a food with any redeeming nutritive value, so we don't need to be subsidizing it for the sake of those with low incomes. STFU already, See's.
43
Paying a tax a few times a year will hardly break the bank if you're seriously only buying as the occasional treat. But if we end up with mandated health insurance, then that tax will help offset the cost of those heavy-duty ambulances for wheeling the fatties to hospital for heart surgery. I pay an exorbitant tax on cigarettes because my smoking costs society - I'm eager for the 300lb soda and junkfood addicts to pony up their share.
44
If society is going to tax red wine then candy should also be taxed. Candy is a treat, a sales tax on it is reasonable and it won’t affect the manufacturer’s bottom line. If people buy too much of it they probably have a sugar addiction and are going to buy it anyway. For those who consume it in moderation the tax will be too minimal to notice. Over consumption of junk food is increasing costs for the group as a whole, is a burden to those who don’t overindulge and candy is the most efficient junk food to tax. As for See’s absurd campaign I have no interest in doing business with folks who repeat repub talking points. I like their stuff. That is too bad.
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