Obama administration proposes 15 cent Christmas tree tax

The Obama administration is proposing a new tax on Christmas trees to fund a board promoting the holiday trees.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposal, which is listed in the Nov. 8 Federal Register, would allow the Obama regime to levy a 15 cent tax on Christmas trees.
The U.S. taxpayer would fund a shovel ready task force, entitled “The Christmas Tree Promotion Board.” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” the board would seek to revitalize the marketing and image of fresh-cut Christmas trees, which have been overwhelmed in recent years by sales of artificial trees.”
Only this administration would consider taxing Christmas trees and call it a " promotion" for holiday trees.

More of the story here.
thehill.com...

oh the humanity, .15 cents more for silly trees for a silly pagan holiday.

There are people sleeping in tents right now in America. Give it a rest.

two things.

first - this process was started in 2008 - under Bush, as requested by american xmas tree growers.

Second - www.abovetopsecret.com...

Originally posted by illuminatislave
oh the humanity, .15 cents more for silly trees for a silly pagan holiday.

There are people sleeping in tents right now in America. Give it a rest.

Where can you find a Christmas tree for one dollar
Perhaps you would be outraged at a 15 percent tax on tents.

mediamatters.org...

Right-wing media figures are accusing the Obama administration of seeking to impose a tax on Christmas trees; but the Christmas tree industry has been working since 2008 -- before President Obama was elected -- to partner with the Department of Agriculture and establish a marketing campaign funded by tree growers in order to promote the sale of fresh Christmas trees.

But you know, don't let this get in the way of a good anti-Obama post.

reply to post by Violater1


We already have to (in most cases)pay to buy the tree AND pay to dispose of the tree....isn't that enough.
15 cents might not break anyone,its just the idea

If any one complains about 15 cents, you shouldn't be spending your money on a tree.
I mean come on, you can find 15 cents on the sidewalk. You might even find enough to buy the whole d*** tree.
Give it a rest.

Just buy a fake one, they last for years...problem solved.

You can cut your own tree from any national forest for the price of a $5 tag available at ranger stations.

Everybody should do this. It's cheap and a good way to get the family out for some winter hiking.
Well, I should say anyone within a practical distance to a national forest should do this.

Is it a 15 cent or 15% tax? Cause I paid $65 for my tree last year, so it's a pretty big difference. But it's a once a year thing and if they think it could really revitalize the industry it's probably worth it. I live near Shelton, WA and they used to be known as Christmas Tree USA or something like that but they've been struggling since their market dried up. I loath artificial trees and would gladly help in their demise.

reply to post by Violater1


It wasn't the Administrations idea, it was actually the Christmas Tree growers. They wanted a way to work with the Government to have a Federal advert program supporting Christmas Trees... the method of raising the funds (15 cent tax) was actually agreed to in 2008 under President Bush.

I'm as anti Obama as they come, but some folks really find the dumbest things to whine and complain about.

Good morning my friend, just to let you know this is already being talked about here.

Link: www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by Violater1


Obama is only following orders as usual...TPTB say "Jump" and he says "How High Massah ?"....

Presumably the Powers that Be are now invested in the Christmas Tree industry (since they own everything else).

And Now want us to even pay for their commercials ...

People still use real trees for xmas? Really, it doesnt make any sense to me, all the hassle to kill a living tree by cutting it down, dragging it to the car, tieing it down, dragging it inside, while tree sap drips everywhere, and on your carpet, needles everywhere, that constantly fall off and you will be finding them for the next 5 years, and the abandoned birds nest that is full of bacteria and god knows what, all to have a REAL xmas tree?

I bought a fake one from depot years ago for $100, has the lights on it, and it comes apart in 3 sections, we have fun decorating it, and i have even more fun because its less work, after xmas i throw it in a bag and put it back in the shed.

fun fun fun.

Originally posted by GmoS719
If any one complains about 15 cents, you shouldn't be spending your money on a tree.
I mean come on, you can find 15 cents on the sidewalk. You might even find enough to buy the whole d*** tree.
Give it a rest.

edit on 9-11-2011 by GmoS719 because: (no reason given)

If only one million people bought a tree for this price, that would accrue almost $150,000.00
And for what

Originally posted by GmoS719
If any one complains about 15 cents, you shouldn't be spending your money on a tree.
I mean come on, you can find 15 cents on the sidewalk. You might even find enough to buy the whole d*** tree.
Give it a rest.

edit on 9-11-2011 by GmoS719 because: (no reason given)

^^^^^^^^IGNORANT POST WARNING! (Above)^^^^^^^^^

Try looking at the principle behind the .15 cents, not the dollar amount! The way to boil a frog is too SLOWLY turn up the heat. And also remember that the Federal Income Tax was a TEMPORARY and VOLUNTARY tax to fund our nation's defense and infrastructure efforts. Give an inch... and you know the rest!

Originally posted by Rockpuck
reply to post by Violater1

 

It wasn't the Administrations idea, it was actually the Christmas Tree growers. They wanted a way to work with the Government to have a Federal advert program supporting Christmas Trees... the method of raising the funds (15 cent tax) was actually agreed to in 2008 under President Bush.

This is like saying the Banksters asked Obama for a bail out, and saying, "It wasn't the Administrations idea."

reply to post by Violater1


Ok mate, check your sources.

mediamatters.org...

USDA received a proposal for a national research and promotion program for Christmas trees from the Christmas Tree Checkoff Task Force (Task Force). The program will be financed by an assessment on Christmas trees domestic producers and importers and would be administered by a board of industry members selected by the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary). The initial assessment rate will be $0.15 per Christmas tree domestically produced or imported into the United States and could be increased up to $0.20 per Christmas tree. The purpose of the program will be to strengthen the position of fresh cut Christmas trees in the marketplace and maintain and expand markets for Christmas trees within the United States.

The Task Force proposed that a referendum be held among domestic producers and importers three years after the first assessments begin to determine whether they favor continuation of the program.

$0.15 for domestic trees. $0.20 for imported.

Obama reinventing himself as the new Grinch........

not only will he loose the Jewish vote in 2012, he's out to loose the Christian votes too?