Freedom Line Blog

For a long list of reasons that we’ve consistently highlighted, an internet sales tax allowing state authorities to tax people and businesses far beyond their borders is a destructive, indefensible idea.

On that front, there’s great news to report.  According to a fresh Rasmussen survey, this is one of those encouraging areas where fairness, policy wisdom and public opinion are in accord:

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A majority of Americans do at least some shopping online, and they are not fans of taxing those purchases.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 66% of American adults oppose a sales tax in their state on items purchased online, even if the store they buy from is not in their state.  Just 21% favor an internet sales tax, while 13% are not sure.”

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As much-needed comprehensive tax reform negotiations begin in Washington, some are advocating allowing an internet sales tax under the false banner “Marketplace Fairness Act” as part of the deal.  It’s encouraging to see that American voters aren’t buying it, no pun intended.

Speaking at an America’s Future Foundation (AFF) gathering, Senator Ted Cruz stood up decisively for intellectual property (IP) rights in America.  Whereas too many contemporary political figures either falsely malign IP protections or equivocate while trying to please everyone, Sen. Cruz advocated more vigorous enforcement of IP, highlighted IP’s unique role in America becoming the most innovative and prosperous society in human history, described the incentive it provides for small businesses (which create most new jobs in America), detailed its importance in sparking desperately-needed economic growth and sounded the alarm regarding domestic and foreign IP theft.   In addition, he offered an interesting personal insight by describing his legal work as an attorney before the Supreme Court.

For good measure, Senator Cruz also took a nice swing at the misnamed Marketplace Fairness Act, the pernicious Internet sales tax legislation that somehow passed the Senate but fortunately appears doomed in the House.  He’s looking like a gem.