The war on Christmas trees

#1
MG1968

MG1968

That’s No Moon…
Joined
Sep 17, 2006
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#1
ok, the title is a bit of hyperbole, but why in the hell is the ag department going to levy a .15 cent tax on Christmas trees just to fund a program that extolls the virtues of live Christmas trees?

Obama Couldn't Wait: His New Christmas Tree Tax

President Obama’s Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.

In the Federal Register of November 8, 2011, Acting Administrator of Agricultural Marketing David R. Shipman announced that the Secretary of Agriculture will appoint a Christmas Tree Promotion Board. The purpose of the Board is to run a “program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Christmas trees; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Christmas tree industry” (7 CFR 1214.46(n)). And the program of “information” is to include efforts to “enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States” (7 CFR 1214.10).
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I really don't have a problem with a consumption tax like this, but jeez, why spend the money on PR? Why not use it for debt reduction or something useful?
 
#2
#2
Sounds like a marketing budget. Shouldn't companies bring doing that on their own
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#3
#3
you must pay tree sellers extra so they can better advertise their trees? Who knew people had such a negative view of Christmas trees. I guess July sales need to pick up

What about the fake tree manufacturers?
 
#8
#8
Why do they need to improve the image of Christmas trees?
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#15
#15
You people are such blithering idiots! Just repeat the Fox News echo chamber, with no fricking clue what you are talking about.

This is an INDUSTRY proposed and supported initiative, designed to self-fund ads to encourage people to buy their real tress, instead of artificial trees.

Christmas tree program gets green light - chicagotribune.com

The industry will even get to vote in 3 years whether to keep it. It was debated for a year or so.

My God, you just fall for every piece of crap bait that the morons put out, don't you?
 
#16
#16
lawgator1 said:
You people are such blithering idiots! Just repeat the Fox News echo chamber, with no fricking clue what you are talking about.

This is an INDUSTRY proposed and supported initiative, designed to self-fund ads to encourage people to buy their real tress, instead of artificial trees.

Christmas tree program gets green light - chicagotribune.com

The industry will even get to vote in 3 years whether to keep it. It was debated for a year or so.

My God, you just fall for every piece of crap bait that the morons put out, don't you?
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None of what you said changes my opinion on the matter. Why would it?

HOW FANTASTIC....just like the bank bailouts, it's industry approved. [/sarcasm] It's nonsense either way.
 
#17
#17
In the Federal Register of November 8, 2011, Acting Administrator of Agricultural Marketing David R. Shipman announced that the Secretary of Agriculture will appoint a Christmas Tree Promotion Board. The purpose of the Board is to run a “program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Christmas trees; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Christmas tree industry” (7 CFR 1214.46(n)). And the program of “information” is to include efforts to “enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States” (7 CFR 1214.10).
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so the Sec of Agriculture works for the tree industry board also?
 
#18
#18
LG,

I got that loud and clear. I just don't understand why this is the government's business, even if the industry pushed for it.
 
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#20
#20
from your link:

Some sentiment broke along state lines. Grower organizations in North Carolina and 18 other states and regions supported the new industry program, while growers in Texas and Vermont opposed it.
"If the large wholesale growers want it, fine, but they can pay for it without reaching into the small growers' pockets," said Robert Childress of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association. "I feel that marketing for my products is my responsibility, and I choose to rely on my efforts."
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so a few decided and all have to pay the tax. LG is happy with anything this admin does. Kinda sad
 
#21
#21
bamawriter said:
LG,

I got that loud and clear. I just don't understand why this is the government's business, even if the industry pushed for it.
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This. Hmm...I wonder if someone is getting a cut for administering this program?
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#22
#22
bamawriter said:
LG,

I got that loud and clear. I just don't understand why this is the government's business, even if the industry pushed for it.
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Probably to ensure even-handed collection and use of the money to promote the industry in generic fashion. Article I posted says there are similar marketing campaigns using self-funding in other areas, like milk and what not.
 
#23
#23
lawgator1 said:
Probably to ensure even-handed collection and use of the money to promote the industry in generic fashion. Article I posted says there are similar marketing campaigns using self-funding in other areas, like milk and what not.
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Horrible news. Industries can't collude to raise prices, but they can collude to raise taxes.
 
#24
#24
beef, pork, cotton, milk, Christmas trees

do these really need ad campaigns for people to know they are an option?
 
#25
#25
lawgator1 said:
Probably to ensure even-handed collection and use of the money to promote the industry in generic fashion. Article I posted says there are similar marketing campaigns using self-funding in other areas, like milk and what not.
Click to expand...

I guess I need to re-read the Constitution to figure out which article makes this a responsibility of the government.
 
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