<nettime> cyber-colonization - internet access taxes

[Phil Duncan <PDuncan {AT} AggregateStudio.com>]

Under the banner of achieving sales tax equity between online and brick and 
mortar retailers, legislators have been preparing tax strategies that 
include generating revenues from access to the web.

This activity defines the colonialization of the net which began with the 
opening of the "Information Highway", soon to actualize as the E-Commerce 
Mega-Mall".  Control is being formulated to emplace restrictions on the 
datastream, and access to the datastream in the form of, "Internet access 
taxes paid to Internet service providers and multiple and discriminatory 
taxes."

These actions serve to reinforce the Myth debunking of Charles C. Mann in 
(Technology Review) as circulated previously in this list.   Those still 
functioning under the delusion that the internet is an unregulatable site 
of cyber-anarchy, the last frontier of social resistance should leave their 
darkened rooms and organize against those who would draft laws to control 
the web, "too much, by the wrong people, and for the wrong reasons."

In typical legislative razzle-dazzle a bill to revamp the 7000 tax zones 
and revise existing tax codes has been attached to a bill to lift the 
moratorium on Internet taxation due to expire October 21 of this year.

In a headline on Wednesday, August 22, 2001, 10:31 AM ET. Mary Mosquera 
reports in the industry  publication, Internet Week that, "Governors Urge 
Congress To Support E-Sales Tax" .  Her story is found 
here:  http://www.internetweek.com/story/INW20010822S0004

Respectfully Submitted,
Phil Duncan

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