Payment to Uncle Sam for ISP service

[Doug]

I've been told by a person that I consider to be very reliable that there is a bill being considered in the House right now that will force internet users to pay a per hour fee to the government via your ISP.

Has anyone else heard about this?

[Zeb]

I havent heard it quite like that, but I did hear that the house was considering inflicting a web tax if you will, very similar to all of the current telecommunication taxes we pay on our phone bill.

[hearts]

there is always some excuse for a new tax.. and they call it a "free country"... should call it.. the "over taxed country"!

so.. I won't say this is my two cents worth.. cuz i would have to pay tax on it... giggle.

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*hugs and smiles *

~~~ Hearts
www.heartsangels.com/hearts/

[pqwabbit]

*groan*
/me rolls my eyes

Lea

[Cassiop]

Hi, Doug!
Sorry, no information, but I've one thing to say: resist!
Here, in France, we pay each second we spend on the web. It's 37 centimes per minute (approximately 6 pence)and believe me, if you surf 2 hours a day it can become VERY expensive. I usually surf and work on my site between 10pm and midnight because it's cheaper. What is funny is that if you want to get a discount on your bill, you have to pay a "small" fee. I pay 6$ each month to get 40% discount on my 6p, and I must surf during the night.
Last month, there were several strikes in Europe to protest against the costs. Only Spanish people succeeded: they didn't phone or connect themselves for several days and got reductions on the fees.
It's a shame one can prevent people to communicate.
*************
A VERY angry citizen.

[hearts]

Cassiop how awful
so what can your country do to protest? I have just started understanding that the cost overseas is outrageous. I wonder why they are like that?

[Doug]

Hi Cassiop

I work with people who are transplants here from different parts of the world. It's always shocking to me to hear how people in other countries have to bribe govt officials for mundane services, often for several times the amount of the service!!!
They are more sneaky here. A common maneuver is to offer a "tax break" while at the same time reaching ever deeper into your pocket. There are substantial hidden taxes here like sales tax. Most people don't complain about these because it's not in one large sum, rather, many small payments everyday that soon adds to a huge amount. What I am saying is probably the same everywhere.

Speaking of ISP service they will have cable modems availabe in my area very soon. I have assumed that I would not be able to afford this type of service, but someone pointed out to me that if I get the cable modem then I will no longer need a 2nd phone line (I tried with one line, but with 2 teenagers and my lovely wife--IMPOSSIBLE) and I will not need to pay the cost of the ISP provider since the cable company would be my ISP provider. So the cost of the cable service should be almost the same as what I am currently paying. If this is true I'll be the 1st in line.
If I make this change I'll let you all know how it works for me.

[Cassiop]

Hearts, thanks for supporting me
Why is it so expensive? I think, because Europe doesn't know the word "competition." Since the beginning of telecommunications, there has been only one company providing that kind of service in France. It's state-run and until last year, no one had the right to compete with it. The situation changed thanks to European Community but new companies have some difficulties to establish themselves: there are many technical, political and even psychological obstacles. People who have been for twenty or thirty years in the same company are afraid to change.
What can we do? Nothing, I'm afraid. As I explained in my last post, there were several strikes in Europe but everybody knows - and especially the state-run companies - that nobody can't do a long time without phone. I must admit I need to connect myself every night and chat awhile with you all

Doug, I can assure you that you've seen nothing. Our taxes are very well hidden because they're included in the price! France is, I think, the more taxed country in Europe. On everything you buy each day - your bread, your paper, the toys for your nephew's birthday - you pay 20% taxes. Of course, as it's already in the price, you forget it very fast. I've never thought I could pay 20% less on my bread. Nobody does.

What about a worldwide strike?

[hearts]

HI Cassiop .. I know how that is.. having those few hours to chat *EG*.. I hope that things will work out better for ya's way over there! I know what ya mean about people being reluctant to change. I wonder why? Especially if it could save one money.

[MikeA]

Cassiop, I understand how you feel. I'm sure that you have it over there too, but I can't understand getting taxed on something you already own, hence, land or houses or cars (all thought I live in Virginia and there doing away with the car tax). It baffles me how you can get taxed on something you already got taxed on when you bought it. No wonder the US gave land away in the beginning, they knew they'd tax us later.

I understand that taxes are a necessary thing, but then you see the stupid things we spend money on. I used to be in the military and $50 dollar hammers is no lie. I once saw a lightbuld for a jet that cost $5.00 for 10, and in a bin right next to it, the identical same bulb was $150.00 per bulb.

The Internet should be a FREE thing. I agree with ISP's charging and what not, but the governments of the world shouldn't make a dime on it. When they do, then it becomes tainted.

Sorry, soon I'll start ranting about other things, so I'd better stop now. The problem now is that we're to dependant on technology. It's quite difficult to go on a strike for 2 days, much less more, without a phone.

By the way, Cassiop, are you a native to France? Your English is quite good.

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[This message has been edited by MikeA (edited 12-24-98).]