Texas "pole tax" law, what do you think?

nj_pete
New Jersey
Aparenty the state of Texas wants to charge a $5 per person tax on stip clubs. I donlt support it, looks like the money would go to a "good cause" as such, but I would think this cause could be helped out of the general treasury.

Just seems like its another tax and more paperwork for the club owners. Plus why single out strip clubs?

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/texas-slaps…

18 comments

  • jablake
    •
    17 years ago
    I don't think there are enough taxes and I don't think they're high enough. Also, as far as I'm concerned they can throw the money away starting some more wars or spend it on health or whatever. Ideally the government should own all the means of production in a "democracy."



  • BobbyI
    •
    17 years ago
    ^^^^ Now that's funny!
  • Book Guy
    •
    17 years ago
    I think there should be a $5 per word tax on tax legislation.
  • BobbyI
    •
    17 years ago
    $1 a word tax on TUSCL posts...
  • casualguy
    •
    17 years ago
    I think there should be a one dollar a word tax on politicians for every word we don't like coming out of their mouths. The revenue collected could be used to reduce the taxes working people pay.
  • David9999
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    17 years ago
    I assume this tax applies every time a patron enters a club?

    Lets says its a non-busy period (no cover/door fee etc) early afternoon on a Monday or Tuesday and you stop by a club for a few minutes - then the tax applies?

    This would certainly cut down customer traffic

    The adminstrative costs to clubs for something like this would be very high, (collecting at the door and paperwork) so I agree with owners that say they will have to pass this onto patrons, who then not only have this 5 dollar entrance fee but the other costss as well
  • crizgolfer
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    17 years ago
    Aaaaahhhh....yes...the land of the "free"...
  • ThisOldManPlayed1
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    17 years ago
    How about a 'peter meter tax"? The club could set up a wasit-high infra-red laser that would detect hard-ons as you leave the VIP rooms. If the meter detected you had a "stiffy", you'd be charged $5.00 extra on the LD. If you left without a "stiffy", the dancer would have to attend remedial dancing classes!
  • Book Guy
    •
    17 years ago
    Would it be a per-patron tax to enter strip clubs, or some kind of per-club tax levied on (essentially) the management? If it's on the management, then it's roughly the same as a liquor tax or a real estate tax, in that the cost gets passed on to the customer EVENTUALLY by means of higher prices GENERALLY, but the customer need not see it in specific terms.
  • TimboAtl
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    17 years ago
    I wonder if the state of TX is hiring any auditors to make sure the tax is propertly collected. The poor auditor would have to go into various strip clubs day and night and count the customers, to be sure that the proper amount of tax is being paid. The auditor would receive overtime pay to work late into the night at the clubs. Plus all the government benefits. Where do I sign up?
  • David9999
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    17 years ago
    true, and I am preparing a new topic for discussion right now: "DANCERS UNSOLICITED MAKEOUT SESSIONS WITH AUDITORS"
  • casualguy
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    17 years ago
    Is the state of Texas going to start promoting strip clubs now since that is going to be part of their tax base? Sounds like it. If you think about it, if Texas promotes more strip clubs, they collect even more tax revenue with this law. Of course they'll have to relax some other laws so that lots of patrons visit the strip clubs as well if it's a per person tax as you enter. This law sounds bad to start with but as a way to make strip clubs be a legitimate part of society with less restrictions, it might be a good thing. Almost sounds like a devious plan the religious folks never thought about so they aren't complaining. Many years ago, I bet religious folks wouldn't want money they thought was tainted.

    I just read an editorial listing dozens of taxes we already pay. This country was founded partly as a result of people revolting against taxation. Over 100 years ago this nation was prosperous with a surplus of money and didn't have a gazillion different taxes. We're heading in the wrong direction.
  • crizgolfer
    •
    17 years ago
    CG...we are not headed the wrong direction. We are already there and have been for quite some time.

    Government was only suppose to tax for basic revenue needs. This obviously has not been the case for many years. Also, there is the little issue I have with taxing for purpose of social engineering. I don't recall where this is allowed (from a consitutional perspective).
  • jablake
    •
    17 years ago
    NO, The United States can never be headed in the wrong direction. Torture? Hey, let call what it really is, enhanced information gathering for the safety and security of U.S. citizens. Blowing up families? Of course not. That's merely a little collateral damage. Income? That's a tad more complicated so the U.S. courts have decided it is up to the Congress or the IRS to give meaning to that term, but the important point is that one can never be overtaxed. Due process? That means you go to prison or the government reclaims its property e.g. your home and life savings. Freedom of Speech? That means you get to say that America is a wonderful freedom loving country and wave the flag proudly. Jury Trial? That means enhanced penalties and attorneys' fees. Illegal Immigration. That just proves America is the greatest. Sorta like when an 18 year old hottie is sucking off a 90 year old man it demonstrates that the old man is a total stud.

    I do agree that Government is only supposed to tax (and print fiat currency) for basic revenue needs. Giving money to farmers is a no-brainer when it comes to basic revenue needs. (Some people like blubber butt dancers!) The war on drugs is obviously essential as is the war on terror. Welfare? Absolutely essential. Education? Again absolutely essential. I can't think of a single government program that doesn't relate to basic revenue needs. Maybe a few thousand dollars is misspent? Whatever.

    Bottom line to would be freeloading stripclub customers: It is your duty and patriotic to share the wealth. A $5 per head per visit tax seems too reasonable. Maybe that is just to get the ball rolling. A progressive lap dance tax based on income seems fair with a minium tax of $2. IOWs, a man living on social security income alone would pay a $2 tax per lap dance and someone like Bill Gates might pay a $100,000 tax per lap dance. I think in one of the advanced countries of Europe a wealthy man paid the equivalent of $150,000 for a traffic infraction; a poor man might have paid the equivalent of $15.
  • minnow
    •
    17 years ago
    nj pete: Since you're not tx_pete, I don't think TX really gives a crap whether you support it or not. Witness the plethora of rental car "add-ons" that can jack up the rental price by 50% or more in some cases.

    I agree that $5 /person can be arbitrary, even unwieldy. Since headcount is a crude method, IMO, initial version a "letting the camels nose into the tent", followed by the camel itself. (Hint: They'll start taxing lapdances next: eg- $20 lapdance becomes $21.30, or whatever.
  • Book Guy
    •
    17 years ago
    The Texas car-rental add-ons are ridiculous. I got stiffed on that subject the first time I did business in Houston.
  • David9999
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    17 years ago
    "Is the state of Texas going to start promoting strip clubs now"

    in a way that's what's happened with cigarette companies with the fed, state and local governments -they've became major partners via the taxation and damage settlement cases
  • Book Guy
    •
    17 years ago
    Cigarettes are evil. Now go sell more of them so we can get more tax money, thank you.

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