One of the more outlandish provisions of the health care legislation is the 10 percent tax on indoor tanning. When it was introduced into the Senate health care bill in December, it injected a bit of humor into the political and policy debate. But to a segment of small businesses across the country, it's no laughing matter.
A local news station in Seattle has spoken to Mark Willard of a salon called Desert Sun Tanning. "Families, you know, these are people that have invested their life savings into these businesses and that's how they make their living," he said. "Unfortunately, now, that tax is going to be passed onto them...It could be very detrimental to their business, and certainly our customers that are going to bear the brunt of this tax."
Another station in Indiana finds Fun Tan, which employs "a total of 40 people and the owner says they will likely have to let some people go from the salon."
Dan Skwarcan, the owner, said, "“It’s huge. Think about the total revenue and having to write a check for ten percent of everything you make and give it to the federal government. That is tough.. plus on top of all of the taxes we are already paying today.”
People might dismiss stories like this that are being replicated throughout the country because a tax on indoor tanning only affects a relatively small segment of the population. Yet the point is that this is a perfect example of the arbitrary nature of government power. Indoor tanning has absolutely nothing to do with health care. But in December, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was scrambling to find ways to raise revenue to pay for a massive new government entitlement. An earlier tax on cosmetic surgery was dropped under protest from the Botox Lobby. And poof, just like that, families who depend on indoor tanning for their livelihood are forced to pony up for the greater good. Liberals always like to portray themselves as more compassionate. But remember, liberal compassion is rooted in a willingness to take other people's money and have government spend it for them.
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12 comments:
Indoor tanning is so dangerous this tax is to slow the use, like cigarette taxs.
this 10% indoor tan tax is purely racist... think about it.
This is one of the problems with america... we value our cancer-causing tanning salons so we can look like the jersey shore cast all winter long. We value having liquor stores in every shopping center and a fast food joint on every corner. Its our constitutional right to smoke 2 packs of cigarettes a day and sit in front of a computer and HD tv all day. But we don't support or value the idea of health care for all citizens... it boggles me.
Anonymous 1:45 - That is Hilarious!
"this 10% indoor tan tax is purely racist... think about it."
It is true that Oprah would have no interest in this service but then most men wouldn't either. I guess this tax is sexist then too.
Would we expect anything less from Harry Reid?
This is the way Mr. Obama's thugs raise taxes without raising taxes... Cause he said he wasn't going to raise taxes. To all you people that believe anything he says, GET YOUR HEADS OUT YOUR BUTTS! You may not tan but I promise your cost of living WILL go up. WAKE UP AMERICA AND TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY! Vote them out come election time before it's too late.
While I have not researched the topic, my understanding is tanning booths expose a person to all of the bad rays at a much higher level than being exposed to regular sunlight. This can lead to skin cancer, which can be removed if caught early (health care expense) but can spread very quickly (health care expense multiplied many times over). I am not saying I support universal health care or the tax on tanning, just that there is a nexus.
Is this TAX going to help those who end up with skin cancer from the tanning beds or just go into coffers and never be seen again?
Just like the cigarette tax!?
That tax was supposed to go into coffers to help people quit but if you go look at one of those "quit programs" the states offer, you get ONE shot at it.
I'm sorry, MY TAXES paid for that program and if it takes me five tries to quit, then it should be paid for! I did the chantix through the program and had success for about 8 months. After the death of my sister, moving and my mother being deathly ill all in a space of 3 months, I'm now smoking again and would like to try it again but with no health insurance I cannot afford $400/month for a quit smoking drug. I'm not spending that much on the cigarettes so it's not like I can take it from one to pay for the other!
This tax money will disappear just like all the other special tax monies do.
How many times have we all heard, this tax is for EDUCATION...baloney!
"Is this TAX going to help...."
ALL the spending under this bill, including this tax are to fund the 31 Million people who aren't paying for Health Insurance. WIthout more insurance policies, the Pharmas can't sell more pills. The Pharma Lobbyists poured a ton of money into the Dem Party.
Anyone that thinks this bill has anything to do with YOUR health has been sipping too much Bowser Beer. Why do you think Congress exempted themselves?
http://www.skincancer.org/International-Study-Links-Tanning-Beds-to-Melanoma.html
As someone w/melanoma, I suggest you rethink your stance as to whether it is a health issue. Needless to say, I didn't get my disease from a tanning booth (do they come in XL?), but if it prevents one new case of cancer it's worthwhile.
What needs to happen is ensure that ALL revenue from this portion of the ill be dedicated solely to melanoma research. That way the Congress critters can't erode the funds for their own pet projects.
One other thing, I truly believe the federal government should have never gotten involved in the health care issue beyond the possibility of offering catastrophic insurance to those who might not be able to afford it otherwise, but it would have to have been chosen prior to being diagnosed.
In other words, you have the option to enroll in something akin to Medicare (paying premiums) while working so that you would have the opportunity to have a parachute to pick up after your employer's plan topped out.
If people want allegator skin then they should have to pay for it.
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