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In order to "prompt discussion of whether to recommend policy changes to support the ongoing reinvention of journalism," the Federal Trade Commission is proposing a tax on consumer electronics. If passed, the proposal would add 5 percent to the cost of iPads, game systems and other devices. The money would presumably be used to subsidize paper-based sources of information.

Yeah, that should prompt a discussion... a discussion that begins with "What??!"

As you may have read on the internet, print journalism -- magazines, newspapers, racing forms -- is having a rough time adjusting to the new electronic landscape. Publications have only had around 15 years or so to find a way to adapt to new technology and make money from ads, so the government is trying to find a way to help them out, potentially with your tax money.

Other changes up for discussion include changing rules of copyright to bestow greater rights on publishers to keep people from re-posting as much, and other ways of extracting payment from news aggregators.

the proposal

more here

I'm not sure that I agree with this tax, but maybe the paper based company can charge a license fee whenever a website or other source uses their content.

I don't like it either, technology costs enough as is.

I guest if you work or own or a family member is employed at a paperbased news organization it will like getting a raise.

But, this will just make people buy more of their electronics online from Ebay since there is no tax from some sellers.

Hopefully, the price of electronics will drop making you pay less taxes.

Local TV also tends to get financial support from Government taxes in some places.

I'm sure it's for a good cause but like I said, we pay for tech too much as is.

Actually the price of tech is dropping. When my sister bought a computer back in the 1980s or early 90s it cost 3000 dollars and the computer is super slow by todays standards. A $200 laptop is way faster.

I also believe the first VCR cost thousands of dollars when they came out in the 80s.

VCR source: http://www.chacha.com/question/how-much ... t-came-out

Wages back then were also very low for the minimum wage worker.

I guest this is for a good cause since it keeps people employed and able to buy electronics since they are not sitting at home looking for jobs.

well of course old stuff gets cheaper but look at the PS3. Right now the price is decent but when it first came out it cost you a arm, a leg, and your soul.