In 2002, a Congressional candidate from Alabama named Michael Williams caused a stir when he proposed a sales tax on science fiction related material to fund NASA. The idea was that a few extra cents added to any sales of merchandise like Star Trek and Star Wars would go directly towards NASA’s budget. In that way, geeks everywhere would pay for space exploration.
Considering Williams was an underdog and technically not even a politician at the time (his day job was bagging groceries at a supermarket), his proposal gained a lot of attention. Lots of people weighed in on how impractical the plan was. How do you define science fiction and what to tax? Why should science fiction fans be forced to pay an extra tax other fans don’t? If science fiction isn’t that profitable to begin with, what would an added tax do to the industry? Could sales on action figures of Captain Picard and plastic lightsabers really pay the billions needed by NASA every year?
All fair points, and not only did Williams’ proposal not get off the ground, but he didn’t even win the Congressional seat. But I think a lot of critics missed the point. The idea was to take funding of NASA out of the hands of politicians, and put it in the hands of the people who actually care about space exploration.
Maybe a blanket sales tax is a bad idea, but what if it was more targeted? What if NASA teamed up with high-end toy manufacturers like Todd McFarlane to create a line of space-related merchandise with an added tax that would go towards NASA’s budget?
If it worked, then the most important tool in NASA’s arsenal could end up being the best-selling tax software TurboTax and an iPad.
Would you buy an incredibly detailed copy of the Lunar Lander, especially if you knew the money you spent would go directly towards a real mission to the Moon?
Via Wired
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="41971 ">3 Comments
Taxes stink, no matter what they're for. He's right though, people tend to lose interest, and funding is cut so often. The Marshall Space Flight Center is probably the most important part of Alabama (and what we're best known for, well….except for the hillbilly redneck stuff those like Jeff Foxworthy feed to people), and adults could care less. The kids wouldn't even know about it if they didn't send people to the schools to talk about NASA and space. I wouldn't be against a small tax.
However, the opposition is correct in questioning what exactly would be taxed and finding too many flaws to even consider it. Books alone, there are so many sub-genres in the science fiction genre that it'd be impossible to see what qualified and there just aren't enough published yearly to gain any useable money from a tax. If they taxed it 100%, I doubt it would be enough.
Your idea is a better one. And again, I wouldn't say no to a tax for that.
This is wonderful! I love the bit about hoping. That's the thing that really got me to make my final decision (http://nolimittaxrefunds.com) to sign with my agent; she had this amazing optimism just leaking out of her pores when she called to offer representation.
INTERNATIONAL CONCEPT OF WORK FROM HOME
Work from home theory is fast gaining popularity because of the freedom and flexibility that comes with it. Since one is not bound by fixed working hours, they can schedule their work at the time when they feel most productive and convenient to them. Women & Men benefit a lot from this concept of work since they can balance their home and work perfectly. People mostly find that in this situation, their productivity is higher and stress levels lower. Those who like isolation and a tranquil work environment also tend to prefer this way of working. Today, with the kind of communication networks available, millions of people worldwide are considering this option.
Women & Men who want to be independent but cannot afford to leave their responsibilities at home aside will benefit a lot from this concept of work. It makes it easier to maintain a healthy balance between home and work. The family doesn't get neglected and you can get your work done too. You can thus effectively juggle home responsibilities with your career. Working from home is definitely a viable option but it also needs a lot of hard work and discipline. You have to make a time schedule for yourself and stick to it. There will be a time frame of course for any job you take up and you have to fulfill that project within that time frame.
There are many things that can be done working from home. A few of them is listed below that will give you a general idea about the benefits of this concept.
Baby-sitting
This is the most common and highly preferred job that Women & Men like doing. Since in today's competitive world both the parents have to work they need a secure place to leave behind their children who will take care of them and parents can also relax without being worried all the time. In this job you don't require any degree or qualifications. You only have to know how to take care of children. Parents are happy to pay handsome salary and you can also earn a lot without putting too much of an effort.
Nursery
For those who have a garden or an open space at your disposal and are also interested in gardening can go for this method of earning money. If given proper time and efforts nursery business can flourish very well and you will earn handsomely. But just as all jobs establishing it will be a bit difficult but the end results are outstanding.
Freelance
Freelance can be in different wings. Either you can be a freelance reporter or a freelance photographer. You can also do designing or be in the advertising field doing project on your own. Being independent and working independently will depend on your field of work and the availability of its worth in the market. If you like doing jewellery designing you can do that at home totally independently. You can also work on freelancing as a marketing executive working from home. Wanna know more, email us on wo********************@***il.com and we will send you information on how you can actually work as a marketing freelancer.
Internet related work
This is a very vast field and here sky is the limit. All you need is a computer and Internet facility. Whatever field you are into work at home is perfect match in the software field. You can match your time according to your convenience and complete whatever projects you get. To learn more about how to work from home, contact us today on wo********************@***il.comand our team will get you started on some excellent work from home projects.
Diet food
Since now a days Women & Men are more conscious of the food that they eat hence they prefer to have homemade low cal food and if you can start supplying low cal food to various offices then it will be a very good source of income and not too much of efforts. You can hire a few ladies who will help you out and this can be a good business.
Thus think over this concept and go ahead.
Otr214427