N.M. tax would target TVs, video games

[Night Fire]

Do you think increasing the cost of TVs asng video games would force more children outside to play?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080201/...JE5PoEQ9NH2ocA

[james_t]

These systems already cost several hundred each, plus what, fifty bucks a pop per game? And people are spending large amounts of money for a new TV they can hang on their wall. I can't imagine a few bucks in taxes is going to suddenly make someone say, "OK, Johnny, this is getting too expensive, get off your butt and play!"

[matt_s]

I don't see it working either. People have all sorts of "moral outrage" against tv's and video games for a variety of reasons that have never been clear to me. I think this is just more some more reflective of that. Notice that they didn't propose throwing a tax on books and that's even less active.


PS yes I understand the importance of promoting literacy.

[LuciusBeebe]

The coalition wants state lawmakers to create a No Child Left Inside Fund with a 1 percent tax on TVs, video games and video game equipment. The fund would help pay for outdoor education throughout the state.


Considering they are proposing a tax on televisions, isn't the tax on video games a double whammy, since Televisions are required to play video games?

Wouldn't a tax on TV's be sufficient? Why exclude DVD's, if they're going to target mediums that necessitate a television?

All those questions aside, this is poppycock. This bill is no different than taxes on fatty foods, it is legislation targeting the overweight that instead effects everyone. Honestly, how many health clubs have televisions? So now HEALTH CLUBS have to pay a tax on televisions because they're promoting unhealthy lifestyles?

[james_t]

Notice that they didn't propose throwing a tax on books and that's even less active.

Unless you just read the same thing over and over, though, a good book will allow you to learn more vocabulary and facts, develop your imagination or confront some of the larger issues of life. Haven't seen anything for the Wii or XBox that promises that.

I think this may fall into the "sin tax" category that rankled Lucius so much on cigarettes. Perhaps even more so - I see this as less likely to change behavior (and not even a behavior that is always bad, like most people would view smoking) and more an opportunity to raise a few bucks and do some moral posturing.

[LuciusBeebe]

Unless you just read the same thing over and over, though, a good book will allow you to learn more vocabulary and facts, develop your imagination or confront some of the larger issues of life. Haven't seen anything for the Wii or XBox that promises that.

You haven't seen modern video games that develop one's imagination?

Fess up...you're still rockin' the Commodore.

[james_t]

You haven't seen modern video games that develop one's imagination?

Fess up...you're still rockin' the Commodore.

Actually, one of the knocks on them is that the graphics are so detailed that you don't have to imagine anything anymore; it's all laid out for you.

But as far as me; no, don't got one. Too much money and I have too many other things to do. The kids have a PIII 667-MHz that I got on eBay for $50 a few years ago to play mainly edutainment or sports PC games (my eldest loves Madden).

And you're giving me too much credit. I was part of the Atari generation.

[LuciusBeebe]

Actually, one of the knocks on them is that the graphics are so detailed that you don't have to imagine anything anymore; it's all laid out for you.

But the stories are much more detailed as well. Most games these days are interactive movies.

But as far as me; no, don't got one. Too much money and I have too many other things to do.

My game time is exclusively Friday and Saturday nights these days.

Much time is spent doing this.

Look inactive?

The kids have a PIII 667-MHz that I got on eBay for $50 a few years ago to play mainly edutainment or sports PC games (my eldest loves Madden).

And you're giving me too much credit. I was part of the Atari generation.

Combat is still fun. Invisible ping-pong tanks for me, thanks.

[Night Fire]

What if Indiana was to pass a tax like this, to enhance the park system?

[james_t]

Look inactive?

I'm not looking to pick a fight about the value of video games - after all I hold the high score for Asteroids here (following months of tense battle with mattg) so it would be a bit hypocritical.

The kids aren't prohibited from them, by any stretch - they play when they go over to their friends' houses, though I'm always afraid that due to inexperience they're going to wing someone's Wii controller through something. (Hasn't happened yet.) It's just that at this point in time my wife and I have other financial priorities. And I still don't see any usefulness in this tax, at least for the purposes expressed.

You want active, though, you should see us playing a family game of Pit. Nothing like three boys and two parents all trying to dive across the dining room table to ring the bell first.

[james_t]

What if Indiana was to pass a tax like this, to enhance the park system?

I'd be totally in favor of it because someone else would be paying the price for something I would benefit from.

[LuciusBeebe]

You want active, though, you should see us playing a family game of Pit. Nothing like three boys and two parents all trying to dive across the dining room table to ring the bell first.

A battle of the actives!

You want active, though, you should come to Conaway's on Saturday for the kid's hockey. Or sunday, if saturday's no good for you.

I'm a huge sports guy. Last Saturday I played 3 hours of pond hockey, and on Sunday I played roller hockey for 5 hours. I also play video games. [and made a piniata this week]

My problem with taxes like the above is they punish everyone in an effort to punish the few. If they want to motivate people, how about a tax credit for being healthy, instead of a tax penalty for doing something that some unhealthy people do?

I can't help but think that the huge volume of television and video games sales is something they want in on.

I'd be totally in favor of it because someone else would be paying the price for something I would benefit from.

How about a board game tax, since board games require the player be in one place?

[miriam]

If you are going to tax my kid's video games then how about their Candy Land game??? Not much action while playing that. I guess I better go through my game closet and see how much money I am going to have to shell out for spending some time with my kids.

[Night Fire]

A battle of the actives!


How about a board game tax, since board games require the player be in one place?

How about a tax on paying taxes- that requires you set in one place for long periods of time filing out forms!

[LuciusBeebe]

I wonder, what does New Mexico suggest the kids do at night?

[james_t]

I'm a huge sports guy. Last Saturday I played 3 hours of pond hockey, and on Sunday I played roller hockey for 5 hours. I also play video games. [and made a piniata this week]

Again, no knock on you. I figured when you said before you played hockey before you kept pretty active. Me, I've been helping coach Upward basketball at my church - I can't ice skate to save my life, which is somewhat of a liability in hockey.

By the way, for reference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBIYJWm1kIE

Although these folks are a lot more tame than we are.

[Night Fire]

I wonder, what does New Mexico suggest the kids do at night?

I don't know about NM, But when I was younger and single-and living in a warmer climate- i would be out on a date, under the stars

OOPS that causes another problem

[LuciusBeebe]

Again, no knock on you.

None taken, man.

I can't ice skate to save my life, which is somewhat of a liability in hockey.

Its never too late to learn. Especially with a gaggle of kids. I can't wait to teach the wee bairn some shinny.

[james_t]

Its never too late to learn. Especially with a gaggle of kids. I can't wait to teach the wee bairn some shinny.

I'd have to also learn a sense of balance that has eluded me to this point, but we'll see. The older two are pretty decent roller bladers, so I might get drug out on the ice if they decide they want to pursue the arctic version. (I could roller skate when I was a kid, albeit badly.) I've certainly learned more baseball and basketball in the last couple years than I ever thought I would as a kid.

[LuciusBeebe]

The older two are pretty decent roller bladers

Dunhams has reasonably priced junior sticks, you guys should hit a parking lot sometime. You can play goalie in shoes. Heck, you guys don't even need skates, floor hockey is great fun. They have leagues at the Plex for shoe-hockey.