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President Obama’s Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
In the Federal Register of November 8, 2011, Acting Administrator of Agricultural Marketing David R. Shipman announced that the Secretary of Agriculture will appoint a Christmas Tree Promotion Board. The purpose of the Board is to run a “program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Christmas trees; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Christmas tree industry” (7 CFR 1214.46(n)). And the program of “information” is to include efforts to “enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States” (7 CFR 1214.10).
To pay for the new Federal Christmas tree image improvement and marketing program, the Department of Agriculture imposed a 15-cent fee on all sales of fresh Christmas trees by sellers of more than 500 trees per year (7 CFR 1214.52). And, of course, the Christmas tree sellers are free to pass along the 15-cent Federal fee to consumers who buy their Christmas trees.
Acting Administrator Shipman had the temerity to say the 15-cent mandatory Christmas tree fee “is not a tax nor does it yield revenue for the Federal government” (76 CFR 69102). The Federal government mandates that the Christmas tree sellers pay the 15-cents per tree, whether they want to or not. The Federal government directs that the revenue generated by the 15-cent fee goes to the Board appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the Christmas tree program established by the Secretary of Agriculture. Mr. President, that’s a new 15-cent tax to pay for a Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
Nobody is saying President Obama doesn’t have authority to impose his new Christmas Tree Tax — his Administration cites the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996. Just because the Obama Administration has the legal power to impose its Christmas Tree Tax doesn’t mean it should do so.
The economy is barely growing and nine percent of the American people have no jobs. Is a new tax on Christmas trees the best President Obama can do?
And, by the way, the American Christmas tree has a great image that doesn’t need any help from the government.
UPDATE: The Obama Administration has announced that they will be delaying implementation of this new program. Click here to read the latest.
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3,169 commentsThis is a joke right?
Of course not, this is a clearly enumerated responsibility of our federal government per the constitution. It's not at all a gross abuse of the commerce clause
My thoughts exactly, are you sure this wasn't stolen from The Onion?
They have all the facts wrong. The government merely "approved" a request from the tree growers association to tax themselves to fund advertising. It's because it's a regulated industry that they apparently need goverment approval to do such things. Normally, business associations just do this themselves whenever they want. And they do it all the time. It's basic industry marketing and is nothing new and nothing Obama created.
Where in the article do you find that nugget, Dan? The article describes a Christmas Tree Promotion Board. Was this something the growers association requested too?
Wasted Billions in the Car Industry, Bank Bailouts, Union Pension Funding, Government Motors, GMAC (Ally), Czars, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, College Loans, 26 Billion Lost in First Time Homeowners, Mandated Health Care, Unemployment, Solar Energy defaults, let us all bow to the Leader in and the fools that bet the farm on change. Merry Christmas, that will cost you.
From the type of people who don't even want people to say "merry Christmas."
Wasted Billions in the Car Industry, Bank Bailouts, Union Pension Funding, Government Motors, GMAC (Ally), Czars, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, College Loans, 26 Billion Lost in First Time Homeowners, Mandated Health Care, Unemployment, Solar Energy defaults, let us all bow to the Leader in and the fools that bet the farm on change. Merry Christmas, that will cost you.
Wasted Billions in the Car Industry, Bank Bailouts, Union Pension Funding, Government Motors, GMAC (Ally), Czars, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, College Loans, 26 Billion Lost in First Time Homeowners, Mandated Health Care, Unemployment, Solar Energy defaults, let us all bow to the Leader in and the fools that bet the farm on change. Merry Christmas, that will cost you.
That was exactly what I thought while reading it.
That was exactly what I thought while reading it.
This isn't a tax on christmas trees, this is a way for the name to be changed to winter festival trees. Growers will change the name so they won't have to pay the tax or the government will suggest the name change to encourage a more diverse customer base. Then Xmas will be no more.
That is exactly what I was thinking.
That is exactly what I was thinking.
Same thing I thought…must be a joke
This is absolutely a joke. Nobody but NOBODY could possibly be that dumb!!! Not even Obama!
Wanna bet?
This is absolutely a joke. Nobody but NOBODY could possibly be that dumb!!! Not even Obama!
This is absolutely a joke. Nobody but NOBODY could possibly be that dumb!!! Not even Obama!
Your a foul one, Mr. Grinch………..
Your a foul one, Mr. Grinch………..
Your a foul one, Mr. Grinch………..
Yeah!
yeah our government is a joke thought you knew
Seems real enough to me:
http://www.thefederalregister.com/d.p/2010-11-08-…
Seems real enough to me:
http://www.thefederalregister.com/d.p/2010-11-08-…
Seems real enough to me:
http://www.thefederalregister.com/d.p/2010-11-08-…
OMG! Some brainless twit actually thought this one up! Please tell me that the brainless twit behind this one is no longer employed by the government. PLEASE!
Sadly, whoever thought this up most likely got a promotion.
I suppose we can now say that Obama taxed our Christmas Trees. What I want to know is if it's time for some kind of a 2011 version of the Boston Tea party. Obviously this is a major assault on Christmas. What's next? Tax the Menorah?
15 cents on a $75 tree. Major assault. Have you ever bought a real tree?
The tree growers imposed the fee on themselves to fund marketing and research. This was not legislation. They've been working on it for years. You (and many others) took the hook. Research before reaction, please. Are we surprised that facts are not accurately reported (by either party).
Ah yes…. All those "Executive Orders"…. I'm thinking "executive orders" need to be outlawed & taxed! Charge the President $5,000 for each executive order that he's issued.
Not to worry, he'll just have the Federal Reserve print out more money to pay for his Tax!
Not a joke. This is the nose of the camel coming under your Christmas tent. You see, this year the tax is for Christmas Tree image improvement. But next year, it is $0.18 and he can spend that money on something else. Following year it is $0.23 and so on. It is a ploy… but who could be against the image of christmas trees? Look out folks.
Yo, note to all Christmas Tree sellers: make sure you call them "Holiday Trees" so you can avod the extra tax!
I want to know when this fool will mandate all Christmas trees must be harvested, transported, prepared, sold and loaded by union goons raising the cost of an average home tree to say about $50 per foot. Double or triple that for evil business trees. Why stop there? Mandate that only union electricians are to decorate with lights and union plumbers set up the water for the tree. Licensed union decorators will be the only ones allowed to hang non-electrical decorations. 4 more years? If you are prepared to budget 2 or 3 thousand dollars for a Christmas tree.
The first words I thought of … Please tell me this is a joke.
It's not that funny as the government shows how willing and far they will go to tax everything we do. I use to joke years ago that they will tax us for breathing. It is now true. Carbon blue print anyone? Our government is so out of control I'm starting to wonder if the motto "land of the free" will be the joke?
No, just another tragedy brought to us all by the obamunists/democrats. The sooner we vote them all out of office, the better.
Sadly No :o(! Saw it on Fox News tonight! He is doing everything he can to destroy America!!!
Someone has got to have the will to impeach him. Clinton got impeached but it wasn't proven. Next year to vote him out may be too late.
No joke, the federal government has just recognized the Christian religion by imposing a tax on a symbol widely associated with the birth day of Christ. Wonder how Muslims are reacting? Where is the ACLU ??
My thoughts exactly. Will the administration be taxing Chanukah candles next? And what about a prayer rug surcharge? How far will they dare to go?
My thoughts too. How is this not a violation of the "separation of church and state?" The federal reg specifically calls them "Christmas" trees. I thought that was a no-no nowadays.
There is no such thing as a violation of the separation of church and state! At least not in our Constitution!!
I think its a shame to upset Christmas..but we could show Washington who is really in charge if we the people don't buy ANY trees just this one year..nothing wrong with artificial trees anyway..
Only Congress has the constitutional power to authorize a TAX or budget, I think it is why the AG dept declined to call this a tax. But only government could compel its "SUBJECTS" to pay up at whatever rate; Individual companies could CHARGE a fee, but the CONSUMERS can refuse to buy from them.
I hope we are not gradually sliding back to the era before our founding fathers declared INDEPENDENCE and freed us from reckless taxation from the imperial British Empire.
No joke, Linny. Democrats can't help themselves; taxing is embedded in their DNA. Next up: Federal taxes on turkeys, pumpkins, Valentines, and Easter Eggs, and Halloween masks.
Our Nations FIRST flag was that of a pine tree – true, look it up.
It was in defiance of the English Crowns order that the colonists not cut down the pole pines highly prized as masts in English (or colonial) ship building.
The Pine tree predated the "don't tread on me" snake icon by quite a few years.
Seems NOW the Tea Party could well adopt that Pine (Christmas Tree) Icon again !!!
This is no joke. Another example of our government growing even larger and even more intrusive; America's Road to Communism.
What no tax on HOLIDAY TREES only Christmas trees, this is blatant religious discrimination.
I don't think so. With this administration, they even want to control when you go to the bathroom. This is just one more sticking their nose into business that is none of their business.
No joke, just a way to pay for more Obama hacks.
If it is, it's not a funny one.
Pathetic.
I ASSUME ONLY PEOPLE MAKING OVER $250,000 BUY CHRISTMAS TREES SINCE OBIE SAID HE WAS ONLY GONNA TAX THE "RICH"
My thoughts exactly. The first story I see this morning and I'm wondering if I really woke up.
How can the federal government justify being involved in Christmas trees–isn't there Christ in Christmas?
Next will be the easter egg tax, valentine's heart tax and the St. Patty's day green beer tax. Gimme a break
Chas…..please don't give the libs anymore ideas to tax us…….BTW…I remember Owebama saying he won't raise taxes on the middle class and poor….maybe he was correct in stating that considering only the rich will be able to afford a christmas tree this year…….
I'm with you.
My thoughts exactly. This has got to be a joke. LOL. Even if they are serious, it's still a joke.
shovel ready? start shoveling, it's getting deep!
No..Sadly it is most likely true…I wonder if the tax was paid on the White House tre?? Then is there an issue here with Relgion and goverment…The fed. Gov. placing a tax on a "Christmas" tree..??
Seriously. This is a huge public relations blunder.
I hope so
The day is coming when your pay check will no be deposited into your bank account, but rather sent to the federal government,t who will put it all in a pot,, to be distributed as Chairman Obama sees fit.
Just a heads up, this ends up about $4 Million in new taxes based on the average number of trees sold (from the Christmas tree growers association).
Well, the funny thing about this is that companies haven't been paying taxes. If Companies were required to pay their taxes, on US-Dollars instead of using accounting tricks, asking for "Tax Holidays", and keeping $2 Trillion in un-taxed money in overseas accounts, we wouldn't have to pay a $0.15 tax.
No doubt that 15 cent tax will be $22.50 next year, and $86.21 per tree five years from now.
Obama's mistake is he forgot to spend the last six months trumpeting the unethical worldwide calamities that result from Christmas trees and how they destroy the world's ecological balance. No doubt there would be a gaggle of fools following their pied piper on that crazy train.
Oh wait, they're "occupied" elsewhere.
You could try adding ornaments and lights to improve the tree's image.
No really, I've seen it done.
Yeah, it has to be a joke.
Whoa here, the article left out something – "The fresh cut Christmas tree industry competes directly with the artificial Christmas tree industry … artificial tree purchases have increased from 9.8 million in 2003 to 17.4 million in 2007. Imports"
So the artificial trees are muscling in on the Christmas tree action, and the fresh cut trees have to fight back.
I hope this all makes sense to someone.
HA! It makes even more sense when listening to Rush – The Trees:
"For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHEcIbhDiw
I wish it were. Go back and listen to Obama's speeches when he was running for pres. He said "no new taxes" about a couple of thousand times, now, they can't find anything else to tax so they tax Christmas trees!!!
This is – as most heritage.org headlines are – incredibly deceiving and false. The whole idea was brought to the USDA by the tree industry, they asked for it to be approved, and the tax is paid by the producers and growers and put into a kitty to promote "real" trees. Basically, the artificial trees are all made overseas (and out of petroleum, too), and the "live" trees are domestically produced. So, the growers are banding together and raising capital for an industry wide marketing campaign, much lie the egg or milk board does. (Got milk?) It has nothing to do with Obama, it wasn't any government official's idea, and the conservatives are trying to use it to take a shot at him, knowing it is completely deceiving.
Good post, but it will fall on deaf ears here. These folks will not do any independent research, and Heritage will never provide any actual facts, such as the tree industry proposed this in Feb 2008 before Obama was elected. Heritage tells them Obama is taxing their Christmas trees and they say "Wow, that's terrible! Can't believe he would do that!" It's frightening how gullible people are, since I had to dig through about 70 posts before finding this one.
You can spin it however you like, but the bottom line is that THERE IS A NEW 15 CENT TAX IMPOSED ON REAL CHRISTMAS TREES.
If the tree association wants to advertise, they can do like all other businesses and allocate funds from their budget for doing so. The funds should not be a tax on the retailers.
Your ignorance is staggering.
That's exactly what they are doing. There is no new tax on the consumer. It's a pool of money they tree producers have agreed to to promote trees. The board just has to be approved by the USDA. The govt is imposing nothing and the govt gets nothing…
I love how you call someone else's intelligence into question when you haven't actively researched the topic.
OMG this has to be a joke. This turns my stomach. Where does this nonsense stop.
We of the Artificial Christmas Tree Industry Association demand equal treatment and promotion from the gub'mint. This is such important work. Thankfully, it does not affect the 9+% unemployed this Christmas, since they can't afford to buy any kind of Christmas tree, real or artificial. Maybe the "regime" can send them a photo of a Christmas tree?
Time for him to go – BTW I will buy a plastic one now.
I wonder if you buy a plastic one now, if your money will just go to China? Just curious… are they made in the USA????? Don't want to hurt our nations tree farmers just because the govt is doing this.
Please do some research, somewhere other than Heritage. The tree industry has been lobbying for this tax since Feb 2008, long before Obama was elected.
And hey, he's the one who gave it to them. Nice going.
according to the National Christmas Tree Association of american christmas tree growers, 85% of fake trees are made in China.
Guess it isn't – got to get rid of this guy in November 2012…He's a joke and never should have been elected.
not a joke, go see the Federal Register itself: http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/11/0…
By the way, you should visit the Federal Register every now and then to see all the inane things your government gets involved in
I had to check calendar and make sure it wasn't April 1st!
apparently not. He's really out of touch http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-110…
This is actually an assessment which can be made on an industry under the COMMODITY PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION ACT OF 1996. Take the time and read thru this act and you will see a sterling example of the kind of legislation that we should start repealing/rescinding wholesale – in their entirety. Understand that each act spawns implementing regulations. And out of regulations spring boards, commissions, panels, offices – and from them, rules, procedures, fees, administrative, civil and sometimes, even criminal penalties. THIS is what engenders a big, self-perpetuating and growing government. We need a president and congress with the faith and courage to give us four good years – rescinding, deleting and repealing legislation and federal regulations. The Great Restoration of our republic.
The reason this act exists is that perisable commodities are a unique product class and the market is so tight that few single growers can afford advertising, so they (the growers) agree to assess a marketing fee across all units sold and use it to promote the commodity in general.
Simple business logic, you should be able to understand that
Just a few million dollars to go down a rat hole into the pockets of Obama's friends. What's wrong with the image of Christmas trees, other than all the far left prohibitions on anything "secular" being displayed? Thieving idiots….
How about an "Occupy … Northern NH or … The Forest" just what we need now.
Do we pay the tax if it's a "Holiday Tree"? If the vendor says Happy Holidays we should get a tax credit.
AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Why, soitenly (thank you, Curly) it's a joke! ON AMERICA…
The president maybe, ok …yup. But the tax is for real.
How about Obama pay $20,000 out of his pocket for the tall Christmas tree at the white house. Also the Congressmen pay $1000,000 for the tree also for letting him do this.
Linny:
Were you referring to the Administration? We know the answer to that question. The $0.15 is likely going to be added to a fund to buy votes for illegals. btw-did you see the blurb about Mr. President's home state not allowing lunches to be brought from home? Is that because they have excess money to pay for lunches – or is it to continue to buy votes? God had better bless America, because his oponents are steadily circumventing the principles that the founding fathers based the constitution on, primarily freedom from the government involvement in private lives.
Pffff what's this? Assuming 100,000,000 trees are purchased this year. That's still only 1.5 millions dollars before administrative fees. Lol probably set up a tree tax commission. Create new paperwork and tax claims rules and in the end he'll have saved enough money to pay for his next golf trip. This man is a sick joke
Joke? Not exactly – It's a lie
Obama, "THE GRINCH' that stole the last three years of resoucres, and oppurtunities… Americans what can you expect?
Let's talk about a "make work project" like taxing people for a program to influence their buying! Idiotic would be a compliment.
The only "joke" is this administration. A really bad joke. And one that will get worse before it gets better.
Since the federal government does not promote religion…shouldn't it be called a "holiday tree" tax?
Well, the funny thing about this is that companies haven't been paying taxes. If Companies were required to pay their taxes, on US-Dollars instead of using accounting tricks, asking for "Tax Holidays", and keeping $2 Trillion in un-taxed money in overseas accounts, we wouldn't have to pay a $0.15 tax.
So call your congressman or congresswoman, and demand that companies keep their money in US Accounts, and companies pay taxes, and not try to subvert paying taxes by sending the US Dollars to offshore bank accounts. :-)
$2,000,000,000,000.00 is the last amount of untaxed money I read about that is in offshore bank accounts, and that's A LOT of unpaid taxes by companies!
What's next… ornament tax?
This has got to be a joke. What in the world?
Yep, and the joke is on us- as always. I will personally guarantee you pilgrims the cost of administering, collecting, reporting and accounting the 15cent Christmas Tree Assessment will dwarf the gross collections sevenfold or more per tree.
Take heart, maybe some of the 'Occupiers" will be hired by the Ag Dept to carry out this scheme, and will get new numbers of unemployment.
Hey, just reported at 1:20pm CT that the CT Tax has been pulled! Guess the National Christmas Tree Producers Assn in St. Louis will have to wing it without the sage advice of some bureaucrat in D.C.
Canadians are being taxed to visit the USA starting January 2012. Maybe that tax will be used to enhance the marketing to Canadians to go to the USA more. LOL
Sure looks like a joke, doesn't it?" In truth, it's part of a very sad tale of how government is sticking its nose into private business over and over again! "President Obama’s Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees" How ridiculous! I know one sure way we could save a little bit of this audacious debt we've gotten ourselves into. Get rid of all of the government programs like this one!!! Fifteen cents doesn't seem like much, does it? But, I wonder how much tax payers will be paying for the costs of the program. Also wonder how much dealers (and, of course, the comsumers) will be paying for the regulations that are bound to be imposed!.
Actually, this fee asked for by the growers only beginning in 1991 has gone thru hearings by the Ag Dept. It is for research and marketing only. The majority of tree growers are Republican. It is not a tax and has been done for other agricultural products thru the years. This is a comical spin.
Yes, it IS a joke. This article is DOWNRIGHT MISLEADING. The tree growers, themselves want this so they can better compete with artificial trees. Those who publish articles should either do their research or stop their lies.
I think in some cases the governments should stay out of the free market..but the real point is, Christmas tree farms and the small business owners who run them are probably (assuming) for the most part, "brick and mortar" businesses; meaning they operate under old standards of sales, marketing, promotion, etc. The government has access to and the resources to help an otherwise dying industry…why is it dying? Because people buy plastic trees now. Why is this bad? Because plastic trees are not only created with petroleum products (aka oil) but just everything down the supply chain uses a LOT of energy resources to create..here in lies the point. Trees are trees, they grow out of the ground, they don't require the resource (petroleum) heavy manufacturing AND supply chain management process, and they help small town businesses people keep doing what they love to do. They require some maintenance (unlike plastic trees) but when you're done with them, you take them out back, and burn them (burning trees is the only carbon-neutral process on earth). When you want to get rid of a plastic tree you have to throw it away, which creates more waste then burning 30 years worth of pine trees…and probably takes longer to decompose. I see it as a small step to revitalize a great product, a dying industry, and save an unbelievable amount of unneeded consumption due to people being too lazy and too cheap to go cut down a tree every year. Not directing that toward anyone specifically, but you get my point.
well its not like there is a law forcing you to celebrate it. this tax doesnt affect me. christmas is dead antway. if people have to rob and assault others to make their christmas better. maybe this is a way of making christmas disappear altogether
wow, thank goodness our president is committed to improving the image of christmas trees. Priorities, people.
Marxism is a joke and it needs to sent packing back to Chicago
Marxism is a joke and it needs to sent packing back to Chicago
Marxism is a joke and it needs to sent packing back to Chicago
We don't want him back in Chicago!
I guess we should be glad he hasn't passed a law yet that requires us to pay for promoting HIS image, but then he thinks he is already a god perhaps, inspite of the polls that show his image needs quite a bit of promoting.
Seems to me that this tax is discriminatory .. why not tax Muslim Prayer Rugs??? Why do Christians get the short end again? .. Obama why?
this matter has nothing to do with obama.
One thing is for sure…15 cents is the start. It will rise. Then environmentalists are going to use this open door to "protect" the trees and more taxes will pile on.
I'm laughing and I'm crying. That's our president. Oh……My……God.
Ehy doesnt he put a 15 cent tax on all the imported trees coming into the United States????
im gettinng a fake tree this year , if he had to buy the tree he putting up and be taked by the foot he never would add any taxes on christmas , who ever is give them in dc the tree charge them by the foot
Fourteen cents of which will go for administration costs.
Wishful thinking. The administration costs probably top twenty cents per tree.
Nikki, Seventeen cents will go to administrative costs. It's the Federal government, not a charity.
Nikki, Seventeen cents will go to administrative costs. It's the Federal government, not a charity.
Wrong…20 cents of which will go to admin and they'll run a huge deficit.
Wrong…20 cents of which will go to admin and they'll run a huge deficit.
Wrong. Twenty-two cents of which will go for administration costs.
That's right, it'll dig a nice red hole.
.20 will go for that. This is how they work it. Then they need more.
hey
.20 will go for that. This is how they work it. Then they need more.
probably more like 20 cents
Now that makes more sense.
You are all wrong….. .25 cents will be collected, all of it will go into the Congressional health care system, and then they will borrow another.15 cents from China to go towards administration.
Now that makes more sense.
Now that makes more sense.
it's too funny that so many people came to the conclusion that this would be higher… been down this road before have we?
Did any of you actually read the order or are you content taking uninformed jabs at nobody in particular? The order clearly defines a cost structure (with 15% maximum, 10% expected) for administrative costs. Think about how much more use you could be to society if you'd bother to read 5 pages of text.
Yah dummy, because all Federal programs work within their budgets & mandates. Jeff, pull your head out.
So the rest will be safely put away in the Christmas Tree Lockbox Fund? That is a relief! No chance for misuse of funds there.
Actually, I think the most use to society we will have is to vote Obama out in less than a year.
And the Gov't always does and spends what it is suppose to??
Wait, let me get this straight. Because it's in black and white (like our constitution btw), you think the government is then restricted to the 10% / 15% ? WHERE have you been the last 30+ years?
*Whew*. Thanks, Jeff. For a minute there, I was thinking this was the stupidest idea I'd ever heard of. With your correction there, I can see. . . . well, yeah. . . still the stupidest thing I've ever heard of.
think how much more YOU could be of use to society if you didn't look to government for anything! the point is government involvement where it need not be!
actually it will probably be 95,675,000 for administrative and it will just be added to our deficit.
No, not 14 cents, two dollars at least.
No ten dollars will go for administration, We will have to pay the other $9.85 in more taxes.
please vote for Ron Paul
You all are right……20 cents or more will go towards administration & then they will ask for a bail-out.
The sad part is…that's altogether true. Not to mention, now that the government is dabbling in the Christmas tree industry, they'll likely go out of business!
Fourteen? This is the government we're talking about. At LEAST 18 cents, perhaps more, of the 15 cents collected will go for administrative costs and then that program will need more money next year or they'll face the threat of being shut down.
actually, it's NOT a new tax, it is a part of Obama care: the need to take care of sick trees.
So it will cost $.39 to administer the program and it will cause need for a "too big to fail" christmas tree farm bailout, a federal investigation & a congressional budget review that will take us to the brink of a Trillion $'s spent on a tax that should have never been imposed in the 1st place
rikki – you're reading my mind but 14 cents won['t touch it. Read $14,000,000. Every one of those, what do they call'em.. Promotion Board Members, will need an assistant, staff, office space and bingo —-a whole new bureaucracy is borne and will spread it's tentacles like poison ivy. It's the Washington way.
Administration costs will be thirty-seven cents per Christmas Tree. So it will cost the General Fund twenty-three cents in borrowed deficit spending.
WAY too liberal. It will be a DOLLAR going to administartion cosas
16 cents … when does the government ever do anything under budget
Well that's quite understandable. How else to you expect him to pay for the Christmas tree Tsar? Hey, he's got to fund his supporters with graft from somewhere.
Don't forget that at least 19 cents will be distributed amongst various "community groups" to make the distribution of Christmas trees more fair and eliminate discrimination in the Christmas tree workforce.
Rikki, you got it wrong. All 15 cents goes to the Obama campaign for america….which is himself!
No, rikky,, out of the 15 cents, 3 dollars will go to admin costs!
no, they will require 20 cent per 15 cent taken in to operate and will be in the hole here too LOL
No administrative costs will be at least $1.00, which means that they will run a huge deficit and immediatley triple the tax. Got it now?
I agree, I can't find who passed this
Actually, if it's like other federal programs twenty cents out of the fifteen cents will go towards administrative costs resulting in a deficit increase. I think that it would be best to leave the Christmas tree industry promoting to the Christmas tree producers, no need for the federal government to bestow their wisdom on yet another industry.
"Fourteen cents of which will go for administration costs".
Actually, to stay on par with the rest of government, it will take about twenty cents to cover admin costs and the balance of six cents will be borrowed and added to the debt…
Actually it is 24 cents goes to administrative costs
It would be a miracle if only 14 cents went to administration costs. Probably more like $1.14.
Actually, it's 29 cents for administrative costs. The other 15 cents will come from a Chinese loan.
y'll are reading my mind!
LOL , this is the government we're talking about – probably more like 20 cents
I was thinking more like twenty plus cents will go to admin costs, as our govt can rarely operate a dept within its means.
14.9 cents.
Face it he's a rotten as they come. Get this idiot out of office through impeachment or the 2012 vote! The Next thing you'll have the TSA feeling up Christmas Trees at random check points on the highways.
Correction: $1.29 of which will go to administration costs, for a net loss of $1.14 per tree. Yes folks, moronic moves like this is what your Oblamea administration delivers.
Problems in America caused by government and this is what the LEADER WANTS? America isn't about what YOU WANT, Mr. President. Nobody asked for government help and by slipping in the taxing of the Christmas tree like anyone would appreciate it when so much damage has been caused by you everywhere else? Accept what's available, stop the excuses to thieve for government benefit!
So tasteless to here him mention Christmas but to have the gall to tax to even suggest improving the image when he allows desecration to Christianity isn't at all legitimate or sincere or necessary to the recovery of this country that has been so severely abused within the control of government!
As the author clearly states "the American Christmas tree has a great image that doesn’t need any help from the government." Focus on your constitutional job!
agreed…this admin seems to be a saturday night live skit but its not funny anymore
agreed…this admin seems to be a saturday night live skit but its not funny anymore
agreed…this admin seems to be a saturday night live skit but its not funny anymore
Three words vote Ron Paul. Our government needs to get out of private business.
Can probably leave out the Christianity thing, since the tree in Christmas is borrowed from Pagan practices.
You are absolutly correct. That's why I don't even celebrate christmas.
Don't you mean, the DEAR LEADER. Have some respect or I am reporting you to flag@whitehouse.gov
Well said.
Sorry to say, with this joker at the top, America IS about what he wants and that is why he has got to go!
Bobbie: Don't worry. The ACLU will kill this tax because it supports and legitimizes Christmas, and that is a violation of the separation of church and state. However since this is an Obama mandate they might not! This is as absurd as the Obama Administration can get, taxing Christmas trees. What next, taxing Easter Eggs?
The President did not request this–the tree growers requested it. They wanted help promoting live Christmas trees, so this was the solution.
I hope to God you're not being serious with that statement. How is this in any way, shape or form a solution? At no point does it say that this tax is going into an add campaign promoting Christmas trees. Not one cent of this tax will ever be spent promoting Christmas trees and furthermore it’s not the government’s job to try to increase the sales of private businesses.
Promoting agriculture, no matter what type, is well within the dept. of Agriculture's job. This is meant to save an entire American industry, not just a few private businesses.
guess they should find another one if they can't make it on their own. to put an increase in cost isn't promoting sales and removing pine trees from the forest isn't "promoting" agriculture. Saving businesses (especially seasonal ones) isn't the role of government nor is it fair to the tax payers who don't have a business to be forced obligation by government's favoritism of businesses using their abuse of authority and their outrageous idea to increase tax. the trees are priced by the owner why is government squeezing their way in with absolutely no constitutional reason?
Have you heard of Got Milk? Behold… the power of cheese. What about Beef: Its whats for dinner? Did you know that these are the exact same program done by the USDA for those industries? And that it was based on those successful models that the Christmas Tree Growers proposed this to the USDA back in 2009? A few more for you Pork the other white meet. The incredible, edible egg. And Cotton, the fabric of our lives. Do you know how long some of these programs have run? Or what the fee paid by those industries was per measure of product? Did you know that most of the growers, ranchers, etc absorbed those fees themselves because the payout of watching their industries grow exponentially was worth it?
Did you also know that a tax is money paid to the government for use by the government and that none of this money would have gone to the government, but into the advertising budget itself?
Well, thanks to the outrage of people who don't seem to know these facts, about 20,000 Americans are going to lose their jobs growing Christmas trees over the next few years, while sales of plastic trees made in China will soar.
Right! Just like he did not request the $4 trillion of bailouts that put out country is such a deep hole
You are correct Paul, there has not been 4 billion in bailouts, only 1.4 billion, so he couldn't have requewsted the 4 billion in bailouts… And only half of that was from Obama, the rest was the ever popular TARP program rammed down our throats by the Bush administration….
run by the democratic Bush administration!!
It wasn't Obama who got us into this mess it was the former 2 president's who share the same last name. Obama walked in to this mess, and now the republicans don't want to work with the demacrates to try and resolve the issues that they created in the first place.
If you all want to see this country go to hell vote republican!!! They are only for the 1% of this country…. not the middle class or poor.
There are the working class poor that believe in America, Bob.. it's constitutional republicans that know and respect the place of government whose line is not crossed into personal freedom at any income. the more government controls us beyond constitutional restrictions, the less free we are to do for ourselves and for each other. government will have a tax paid program do it for us. socialism, why? we don't want to have to get food, clothes and shelter from government because their forcing taxes so high we can't afford basic necessities for our family. we know the government supporting the increase tax on the rich is definitely not going to stop there. All costs will increase. government and their outrageous unfair cost of living increases off the backs the government is suppose to protect. the backs who don't get wage increases. Now attacking the American dream and those that achieve it. that's an attack on America by it's own government. once their abuse of authority holds no accountability, their abuse of authority becomes common. this abuse clearly shows nobody's getting rich and many forced on the teat of government! look what they did to this country making it easier and easier for people to be less their own expenses of their own lifestyles filtered through government tax dollars to fund them. free food resources, food stamps, debit cards, food shelves, free food during the school day. the money comes from somewhere and when it isn't coming from those spending it, it's stolen! no one needs to deal with their own problems, just look to the dependable government. it's not going to last. we vote for the strong principled that builds people up and freedom that lets us think and live the way we can (without government infringing on anyone) and those that represent it. Without the expense of government and government intervention, we'd all breath a lot easier. Do you want America home of the free land of the brave? or America home of the helpless land of government dependency?
Let the rich be inspiration and let freedom guide the way. don't give up your ability to control your own.
What they mean by improving the image of the "Christmas" tree is a name change to "Holiday" tree. This guy will destroy us with another 4 years in office. It's too bad we have to foot the bill for this twit even when he gets booted out.
The President has never done anything to desecrate Christmas. And Obama has done much to fix the hideous damage caused by Bush, so a tiny tax is the least of anyone's worries.
This is what the INDUSTRY wants, not the president. The industry proposed and voted on this. All the administration did was say, "Uh, OK." The industry is looking to combat fake trees.
it was wrong for the government to agree (haphazardly as you describe,) because involving them doesn't do the business ANY GOOD! I agree with your description of how decisions are made in the administration as that's what got America here!
I totally agree!!!!!
The Christmas tree industry has been trying to get help from the dept. of agriculture for years. Their industry is dying! and the tax is on the tree growers, not the public, and it will stimulate an American industry. This is the good kind of government help. There's no bail-out, just a tax on the growers to help their industry.
Don't fall for it, min. when i was growing up Christmas trees cost $5.00. That has increased since so it seems to me they've been protecting themselves without government, until now! No reason to involve outsiders!
Are you kidding me! What else will this administration find to tax. Next it will be an
extra tax on Halloween pumpkins!
Actually, yes, it is the government's responsibility to help with the promotion of Christmas trees, thanks to an Act passed in 1996 regarding promotion of agricultural business. The Christmas tree industry requested this assistance under that act. Do your research people!!
Amen
When will the Obama tax fee begin on gambling purchases eg New York State Lottery Tickets?
With the way the Federal Deficit is skyrocketing, this is the right direction for the Obama Administration
to move through.
So well stated. I applaud your comment! Is .15 for each tree really going to effect our trillion dollar deficit. Maybe we can all claim that .15 on our taxes. He really is such an idiot.
the "tax" isnt for deficit reduction, it is to fund promotion of sales for real trees farmed by Americans to help sales against plastic trees made in China. If you cant spend 15 cents on a $30- $50 tree then not only are your cheap, you have the right to buy a china tree and then you can complain about the loss of American jobs you helped fuel.
You are right on. Obama's tax on Christmas trees shows his mentality…… tax anything to raise money for the Federal Gov't to increase their control over "We the people". Let's hope enough people remember these tax increases with more Socialist Gov't control at the election poles in 2012 and defeat Obama and Liberal left politicians to get our country back to Constitutional Government.
Talk about misinformation, THIS is NOT a TAX do your research and learn about the Christmas Tree Industry
if it raises costs due to government, IT'S A TAX!! or their UNETHICAL, unconstitutional cover word, FEE!
Uhhh, the Christmas tree tax was the request of Christmas tree farmers during the Bush administration. The farmers asked for help to change public opinion regarding live Christmas trees. Too many people believed the advertising campaign of artificial tree manufacturers / sellers that real trees were fire hazards, had bugs, etc .Tree farmers over the last decade have taken a tremendous hit as more and more people bought artificial trees. the Dept of Agriculture agreed to help and the tree farmers decided to charge 15 cent extra per tree to pay for the cost. It aint got nothin to do with Obama, silly people.
I work in the industry, and I just want you to know a few things. First of all, the national association of Christmas tree growers asked the USDA to do this back in 2009. It has 90% backing from the US's growers of trees who voted to approve the proposal. It was slated to last 3 years, and then be voted on again by the growers' association. What growers were trying to have them do is the same thing they did for milk, beef, and pork. If you have ever seen a GOT MILK? ad, then you have seen the result of the EXACT same USDA program. And the only thing Obama had to do with it is that he backed the industry when it asked him to.
If you are interested in why the industry wanted this, its because fake trees from China are putting real trees out of business. Over 100,000 Americans are employed in Christmas tree growing industry in America, and thanks to the ridiculous and unfounded claims surrounding this proposal, up to one fifth of those people may lose their jobs over the next 3 years. That's 20,000 more people unemployed.
Additionally, while the growers could have passed on the additional 15 cents to the stores they sell the trees to, most intended to absorb the cost because it was going to help them renew their business. If they had passed it on, stores would have raised their prices at most 30 cents per tree. Now, in order to stem the flow of financial loss the growers have been battling for the last 3 holiday seasons and anticipate experiencing indefinitely, they will most likely raise their pricing about $5 per tree, translating into an additional $10 cost per tree for consumers.
I just wish that people would do a little more research before they make conclusions. This unjustified outrage has resulted in those of us who sell Christmas trees being left without hope to stop the ever-decreasing sales of this American Grown product.
I work in the industry, and I just want you to know a few things. First of all, the national association of Christmas tree growers asked the USDA to do this back in 2009. It has 90% backing from the US's growers of trees who voted to approve the proposal. It was slated to last 3 years, and then be voted on again by the growers' association. What growers were trying to have them do is the same thing they did for milk, beef, and pork. If you have ever seen a GOT MILK? ad, then you have seen the result of the EXACT same USDA program. And the only thing Obama had to do with it is that he backed the industry when it asked him to.
Wow, this is about as dumb as it gets.
Who among us has not decried the lowly position of the Christmas tree? I know I have, and often.
Hey, at least he still manages to use the actual word, Christmas. He didn't institute a Holiday Tree Tax.
And I think it's unfair. It's a tax that targets ONLY Christians. I mean, how many muslims are putting up Christmas trees?
The world isn't just made up of Christians and Muslims. Christians are not the only victims here.
Both my husband and I are non-Christian and we have a Christmas tree O_o I agree that this is ridiculous but so is making this about religion.
I can see it now, just like broadband internet access they will increase the tax to help subsidise christmas trees for public schools and libraries that couldn't otherwise afford a christmas tree.
"It's a tax that targets ONLY Christians."
I think that was the point. Kinda like the Tanning bed tax.
I think I love you.
So if the Admin. is taxing "Christmas" trees as against it as I may be lets call them "Holiday" trees and avoid this tax!! That would be us spitting in their faces LOL!!
BRILLIANT!!!!
kind of reminds me of the tanning bed tax he implemented immediately upon taking office.
kind of reminds me of the tanning bed tax he implemented immediately upon taking office.
This was a direct tax on whites! He wants us to fry!
The Christian only tax will work hand in hand with the white only tax (on tanning)
"Wow, this is about as dumb as it gets. "
I wish that was true.
Things would not be as bad as they are if that were the case. He was just finding something to do. It was for keeping in shape for him. Like doing a cross word puzzle.
You do know that non-Christians celebrate Christmas, right?
They celebrate a 'Holiday'. Christians celebrate Christ, the reason for the season.
You do know that Christmas is a Christian holiday, right? Birth of Jesus being pretty much central to the whole thing. Non-Christians may have a celebration for something at a the same time, but it is not Christmas. Because if they are celebrating Christ's birth, I am don't think the label "non-Christian" really fits.
Well, take a pause her for a second, because someone's gonna point out that fir trees were not too common in Bethlehem… Christmas is just the newest name slapped on ancient rites celebrated long before His birth. No animosity intended but, I put up a tree (and I call it a "Christmas" tree because it's just easier that way) and I haven't been Christian in twenty years… However, I agree that your original argument still holds, it's primarily a tax on Christians…
Do you really know what Christmas is? Sure Christians celebrate it in December, but the birth of Christ is now believed to have happened some time in the month of July. It is only on the 25th of December to coincide with pagan celebrations of the winter solstice and roman Saturnalia or scandinavian Jul. It only coincides with these days to make it easier to convert the non-christians, making important holidays all fall on the same day. Even modern Christmas is celebrated by non-christians because of the spirit of gift giving, music, and family gathering. Only christians celebrate it as the birth of christ.
Further, the Christmas tree, or Yule tree originated through Scandinavian/Germanic Jul traditions with the belief that St. Boniface cut down Thor's Oak tree, that had previously been used to conduct sacrifices under, and an evergreen grew out of it, marking the newfound Christian faith of the Nordic converts.
An Act making the first Day of January, the twenty-fifth Day of December, the fourth Day of July, and Thanksgiving Day, Holidays, within the District of Columbia. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following days, to wit: The first day of January, commonly called New Year's day, the fourth day of July, the twenty-fifth day of December, commonly called Christmas Day, and any day appointed or recommended by the President of the United States as a day of public fast or thanksgiving, shall be holidays within the District of Columbia, and shall, for all purposes of presenting for payment or acceptance of the maturity and protest, and giving notice of the dishonor of bills of exchange, bank checks and promissory notes or other negotiable or commercial paper, be treated and considered as is the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, and all notes, drafts, checks, or other commercial or negotiable paper falling due or maturing on either of said holidays shall be deemed as having matured on the day previous. APPROVED, June 28, 1870 by President Ulysses S. Grant.
Source: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_and_how_did_Christ…
President Ulysses S. Grant declared Christmas a legal holiday in 1870. The bill to make Christmas a holiday was introduced into the House of Representatives by Rep. Burton Chauncey Cook (Illinois). It was approved and passed to the Senate on June 24, 1870. When both houses had agreed on the wording (below) it was passed on to President Grant, who signed it on June 28, 1870. Here is the wording of that act of Congress:
cool story bro
Non-Christians celebrate x-mas!
Only the ones who run convenience stores in middle-class neighborhoods… And then it's usually a little plastic one just for show!
AMEN!!!!!
This tax is on those who sell Christmas trees. The growers requested it, not the government.
I believe the growers will pass the 15 cents on to the consumers. This year I opt for a Festivus pole!
I understand what you are saying Ralph, however think about how many non Christians also use the tree as well. I don't see it as much as a tax on "just Christians" but on the American People. If it were a tax on the sale of King James Bibles, then yes we could say he was targeting Christians.
I thought our government was supposed to separate church and state. Aren't Christmas trees used to celebrate Christ's birth??
You hit the nail on it's head Ralph, a menorah tax is surely due next.
I just hope he stays away from my Festivus Pole alone.
You folks are as "dumb as it gets". You have to even criticize a 15 cent tax? 15 cents? Boy, you guys really need to get a life!
Give it time. This is just the tip of the iceberg. You'll be seeing a lot of this nonsense before November 2012.
As a Jew I can definitely say this targets Christians. I certainly do not have a tree. I think the whole tax thing on the trees is ridiculous.
This tax was sought by the National Christmas Tree Association starting back in April 2008 – before Obama was elected.
Go to the NCTA, click on the listing that says spreadsheet, and go to line 81 to see the assessment that they were proposing.
Well I do have to put in my two cents worth. The Christmas tree was started in Germany. They would decorate them yr round. Then they decided to decorate them for Christmas with glass bulbs. Then they decorated them with candles and so on and on.. So it is not an american Christmas tree. Many people are in inter religious relationships. I can't tell you how many muslims have Christmas trees! lol I know this has nothing to do with the 15 cents but..just a little history on Christmas trees. :)
It may have started in Germany, but Americans have adopted the Christmas tree as a symbol of Christmas. So it is the American Christmas tree.
I'm sure he thought about that when he came up with this idiocy
Ralph, are reading my mind again?
I do not claim Christianity, and yet my family buys a fresh "Christmas Tree" every year. You can thank commercialization of religious holidays for 'equality and economy' for making it commonplace for non-Christians to celebrate Christian holidays.
Unbelievable. Just unbelievable.
anyone notice your thoughts must be approved to be posted? Isnt this the opposite of what the internets about? Were getting stopped at the most basic things here people.
This is just a way of forcing Christians to fund a new bureaucracy staffed by vastly overpaid members of Eric Holder's people.
i buy a real christmas tree every year and i'm not christian so it's not against christians and all the judgments, isn't that to be left to god as it is said in your bible
He just can't help himself, can he? Merry Christmas to you too, Mr. One Term President.
this man and so many others deciding what is GOOD for us..and EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM ID DELOUSIONAL !!!! THEY DO NOT LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD…ITS LIKE WATCHING GROUPS PLAYING WITH "DOMINOS " & "LEGOS"…THEY WONT SPEND THEIR OWN $ JUST OURS :(
No, for obama, it's Happy Holidays!! He's ridiculous, I want him out!!
He just can't help himself, can he? Merry Christmas to you too, Mr. One Term President.
He just can't help himself, can he? Merry Christmas to you too, Mr. One Term President.
…you can't make this stuff up…
Try and guess the next one.
Valentines day flower tax?
Easter egg tax?
…you can't make this stuff up…
obama deserves a lump of coal in his christmas stocking.
Or, placed somewhere else perhaps.
obama deserves a lump of coal in his christmas stocking.
obama deserves a lump of coal in his christmas stocking.
obama deserves a lump of coal in his christmas stocking.
He won't let them mine coal
obama deserves a lump of coal in his christmas stocking.
He deserves much more….
obama deserves a lump of coal in his christmas stocking.
He doesn't have a Christmas stocking. He's muslim!
obama deserves a lump of coal in his christmas stocking.
Did you mean a DUMP in his stocking?
I was thinking the same thing.
obama deserves a lump of coal in his christmas stocking.
what a foolish thing to do!
I am sure there is a Christmas tree industry group already doing the same promotion.
Somehow I doubt the tax will ever end up promoting Christmas trees.
Actually, this whole thing was the Christmas tree industry's idea. They're the ones who came up with it and pushed for it. See http://www.checkoffstudy.com/. But don't expect the Heritage Foundation to tell you that.
Immaterial as to where it originated. It is an absurd tax that should never have been approved by the administration who is always looking to separate taxpayers from their money. Since when do Christmas trees have a bad reputation?
Since they have been losing market share to fake trees in recent years. It's actually not even a tax. Growers begged for the program then decided to pass their fees along to consumers. but the Heritage foundation wouldn't tell you that either.
Since Liberalism invaded society, making it damn near a crime to make any public display of faith.
Remember, it's holiday trees in most parts.
Where are they called Holiday Trees? I live in New York, which is very progressive, secular, and Democratic, and everyone here calls them Christmas Trees too. Give me a break.
Since live trees started getting hammered by artificial ones. That's what this is about. The Christmas tree industry wants to band together to promote live trees. They're the ones who are ASKING to be taxed. So, using their right under a 1996 law, they asked the government to impose a tax on producers of 500 trees or more per year. In three years, the industry will hold a referendum to decide if they want the program to continue.
This is just about the administration being responsive to the wishes of business. Isn't that what you want?
The industry isn't asking to be taxed, the Christmas tree industry is asking the federal government to tax us, you know, the We in people.
The issue isn't about the industry, it is how it will affect the nonprofit Organizations that try to fundraise selling trees i.e the Boy Scouts of America…..
they are safe from the tax, those who provides them with trees to sell, most are donated to them or sold to them at cost for the purpose of selling them for their fundraisers. They do not produce them and as long as they get them from farms that produce less than 500 a year there is no $0.15 tax on the trees.
OMG this is FROM the National Christmas Tree Association. Look it up!
http://www.thefederalregister.com/d.p/2010-11-08-…
So it is originated from a private industry organization, but the reason for the governmental involvement is that the organization tried the program on a voluntary basis and nobody wanted to pay for it. So what do you do if you want something done at somebody else's expense but that somebody else does not feel it's worth the money? You ask the federal government to force everybody to pay for it whether they want to or not.
You've got it backwards. Nobody wants to pay for a group project if others in the group aren't paying their share. Most of the producers support this, but they don't want to give others a free ride. If they decide they don't like it in three years, the industry can vote to repeal it.
One of the main reasons our economy has been spiraling downward over the past 30 years is that we've gotten away from the idea that government has a role to play in promoting and developing domestic business. You don't see China, India or Germany making that mistake, nor any of our other first-rank competitors.
Wrong. The government isn't responsible for promoting or developing domestic businesses. Investors and business owners do that. The economy is in trouble right now because of government involvement. Restrictive – and ever changing – regulations, high corporate tax rates (2nd highest in the world), and government mandates such as health care.
Just as the gas tax is supposed to go to maintaining roads and bridges…….now he wants another stimulus, er, 'jobs bill' for the infrastructure…….why aren't our Republican leaders pointing that out? Where IS the gas tax money going?
This is a promotion by an industry group, you are right. Review this article in the Chicago Tribune. It paints a slightly different perspective. To point accusatory fingers at Obama is erroneous on this one. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-110…
You are exactly right!…I grow Christmas trees for a living and we have state level as well as national level organizations for this "advertising". ……The tax is a bunch of organic matter gone bad!!
Another way to grow government and strangle the American entrepreneurial spirit.
I am sure there is a Christmas tree industry group already doing the same promotion.
Somehow I doubt the tax will ever end up promoting Christmas trees.
This is the reason why we need to get this fraud out of office. There will lots more to come.
Next thing will be the Stamp Act and it'll be time for the Revolution!
looks like well be goin with a fake…
Or cut it from a neighbors yard. Just tell them your hear from the government and you want to help.
LOL
I would cut one from local county property or federal property first since both are still spending money in a crazy manner and raising taxes. Gotta get my tax money back somehow.
We already have a fake… in the White House.
Careful – he may put a 30 cent tax on artificial trees to prevent this attempt by people to hold onto their own money…
Nice, instead of buying a tree grown in the US, probably a local farmer, go and buy a plastic tree made in China. That will really show Obama won't it. Please, is a 15cent fee on a $50 tree to much for you to handle?
Exactly, Torque! This is less than 1% of the cost of a tree and it is meant to HELP tree farmers (American small businesses).
You can't afford 15 cents, but you'll spend money on a fake tree. Wow – you make a lot of sense.
Really….15 cents (that you don't pay) will cause you to buy a fake tree from China over supporting US farms.
"That you don't pay…"
Now… there's the problem. Just because the tax (fee, surcharge, assessment, price hike…) isn't *directly* applied to the consumer does NOT mean that the consumer doesn't pay the extra charge. The industry is not willing to reduce their profit margins on the trees. Who exactly do you think the charge gets paid by in the end?
Yes, I hope that to spare 15 cents you purchased a $125 Chinese made plastic Christmas tree. Way to help American farmers. Sometimes politics gets in the way of just being smart.
ENOUGH! NO MORE TAXES OBAMA!!!
Wait . . . the best is yet to come.
How about "No more Obama!"
Obama….the jokes just keep coming, one after another. November 2012 can't get here fast enough!
Amen to that Mike
really?
happy holidays scrooge…
Ha! Exactly!
OMG now I have heard it all!!! Take the money and run… these people have no shame.
Just when I think this regime can't get any more despicable, they come out and surprise me with something.
stop thinking, please! maybe they'll stop! lol!
this process was started back in 2008 by the National Christmas Tree Association. I really wish bloggers would take 30 seconds to research before they spout off at the mouth
The National Christmas Tree Association did not impose a FEDERAL TAX on the trees.
The NCTA requested this–it was not the government's idea. And, the tax is on the sellers, not buyers.
The end user always gets stuck with the tab…………The sellers just pass it on down.
Right, because the sellers would never dream of passing that on to the buyers… They will clearly be ecstatic about taking $.15 out of their profit per tree…
And you know for a fact that the sellers won't pass the tax on to the final customer? Dream on.
I almost can't believe your statement. Please, people, will you take a (basic) economics class before spouting ideas that make you look like an idiot? Check out the graph here: http://www.atr.org/free-economics-lesson-media-ma… or similar ones. Basic economics means that any tax is always shared between the producers and consumers. Depending on who has a more elastic supply/demand, they will pay less (but still some) of the tax burden.
Sarah, how can you say that the seller will absorb the tax with a straight face? First off, the profit margin on tree sales is not that great. And also having worked on a tree lot before, I know that you very rarely sell 100% of your inventory. 75% – 85% is more realistic. So that means that the seller will have to eat the 15 cents on the trees not sold. Do you think that they will really do that? No they will pass the tax on to the consumer based on their predictions of sales and total cost of the tax to them. This means that the tax passed on to the consumer will not only be 15 cents and it will be passed on, you can be sure of that.
The NTCA requested the tax, during the Bush administration, which the government would use to help promote their product. Thus helping small businesses. Like the many other growers organizations around the country that do the same. Geez people, please try to think before going all anti-government. But I can see that pointing out facts wont help because comments like mine will get voted down, while the reactionary comments get voted up.
And in next week's episode of "America's Worst President Ever" …..
That would be George W. Bush of course.
i thought there was on Holiday trees?
Now when the government imposes a tax on Christmas trees aren't the liberals going to complain about the separation of church and state?
Where's the ACLU when you need them?
Other commodity groups who have voluntarily chosen to "tax" themselves and participate in promotional campaigns overseen by the federal government under the checkoff program:
Almond Board of California
American Egg Board
American Lamb Board
Cotton Board
Dairy Management Inc.
Mohair Council of America
Mushroom Council
Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board
Cattlemen’s Beef Board
National Honey Board
National Watermelon Promotion Board
National Peanut Board
National Pork Board
Popcorn Board
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
United Soybean Board
United States Potato Board.
Free market alsotoo.
I'm sure that "We ain't seen nothin' yet".
Really?
First
Are you kidding me? This prez is a joke.
And a bad joke to go along with being the worst president ever, making Jimmy Carter so happy.
I agree but the problem is that no one is laughing and millions are crying
Are you kidding me? This prez is a joke.
What happened to Obama's pledge to go through the Federal Budget line by line and eliminate wasteful spending? I'm sure we really don't need a Federal program to promote the purchasing of real Christmas trees.
What Budget? There hasn't been a budget since Obama became President.
Actually there hasn't been a budget since the democrats took control of congress in 2007.
how is increasing the cost of a x-mas tree by a tax going to going to get people to buy a x-mas tree. i can't wait to vote obumble out of office.
bobc74, he was really going through line by line to find ways to take power and side-step Congress by revealing language that could be said to authorize said grabbing of power.
He lied!
Its right there with his pledge to be transparent and post all the bills he is going to sign three days before signing them for everyone to read.
That was just a lie, too!!
What Federal Budget?? There's not been a budget since this "Person" took office, which explains why he feels money grows from the head of each working American!
Fresh-tree sales declined from 37 million in 1991 to 31 million in 2007, according to the USDA. Artificial tree sales, meanwhile, nearly doubled, to 17.4 million, from 2003 to 2007. – I guess maybe they do need a program to promote the purchasing of real xmas trees??
Yeah, and raising the price by taxing them is really going to improve sales.
/sarcasm
Or maybe in a free market society those business owners should realize that the demand is shifting to fake trees and sell those as well. That's the great thing about the USA, nobody is forcing real Christmas tree sellers to only sell real Christmas trees… Or to sell trees at all. They are free to get out of the business if it isn't profitable, or to change the way they do business to meet the demand of the buyer…
By going line by line to eliminate wastful spending he meant looking for ways to find additional tax ideas,
Do you still believe anything this man ever says?????? I am sure most of us are way past this point!!
Calm down. This is a SELF TAX of the living Christmas Tree association, made up of small-scale growers, large-scale growers and importers. The Ag Dept merely gave the organization PERMISSION to collect the fee. Remember "Pork, the other white meat" and "Got milk?" This is the SAME IDEA.
A tree seller or any private organization to which he/she may belong can charge whatever they want because they operate in a free market, and they certainly don't need government approval to collect an additional fifteen cents. However, if they want the gov to step in to protect and promote the image of their product, they then subject themselves to the government charging whatever it sees fit to cover the costs of that promotion… So "Permission to either pay the fee themselves or collect it from the consumer" is what that should say… The reason I'm upset about this is that it opens the door to so many more "advertisement fees" aka taxes. What happens when my local grocery store decides it needs gov help to promote local business instead of shopping at Walmart? Or when they decide to promote, oh I don't know… The Chevy Volt? The bottom line is, if you own a business it is your job to promote and sell your product, not the government'.
Because this type of a plan worked out so badly for the pork and milk industries?
The law that allows this to happen is only applicable to the agricultural sector. If you try to do this in any other industry you will be in violation of anti trust statues, it would be called collusion. Really, what we should focus on the enabler, the Department of Agriculture. It is high time to abolish it. This stuff started in the 1930s when agriculture employed 21.5 % of the workforce and produced 7.7% of GDP. In 2000 it employed 1.9% of the workforce and produced 0.7% of GDP. You could argue that we needed a Department of Agriculture in 1930, you cannot argue that anymore in 2000.
How does 15 cents paid by christmas tree consumers count as a line on the federal budget?
There is no federal budget. He's making it up as he goes. No one to stop him.
Can you say "Grinch"?
owebama..did ii get that right
MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY!!!!
This tax is less than 1% of the cost of a tree and it is meant to HELP tree farmers (American small businesses). I thought that's what we wanted?
No. What we want is for the government to get out of the way of American small businesses.
It doesn't matter what the tax is *meant* to do. It matters both what it actually *does*, as well as whether that is a proper role for the federal government. (And it is decidedly not in this case.)
If such a per tree fee is necessary in order to promote the industry, then the industry group would be more than welcome to make the charging and submission of such fees to the central body a requirement for membership in their organization. Rather than doing that, though, they went to the federal government and decided to take the money from growers by threat of force whether the growers believe it is beneficial to them or not!
Now, one might say, if it isn't applied to every grower (of more than 500 trees per year), then some growers might decide they don't want to pay, and then they might leave the association!
And then I would be forced to point out that if the owner of the business doesn't believe that the association is providing adequate value for the money, he/she should be free to make that decision. This rule removes the ability to "vote with their feet" regarding the association.
The Chinese plastic-tree manufacturers, who ARE supported by THEIR government, send their regards and say "Keep up the good work!"
Can you say "Grinch"?
What happened to Obama's pledge to go through the Federal Budget line by line and eliminate wasteful spending? I'm sure we really don't need a Federal program to promote the purchasing of real Christmas trees.
He kept his word, its just his idea of wasteful spending and a sane person's differ.
Brilliant! What will they think up next to tax?
breathing…
The air you breathe. They've already determined what you exhale is a pollutant (CO²)
Please do not ever ask that question of a politician.
That used to be a joke, now it's a reality. I honestly think this guy sits around during his down time and thinks hard of how the government can get ahold of more of our money. To him it's actually the government's money, and we have our filthy, unwashed paws all over it.
Well let's see. There are birthday cakes, Easter eggs, popsicles, golf balls, nail clippers, jack chain, copy paper, pine cones, index cards, parakeets, pencil erasers, etc, etc. Come on Robert, don't be so close minded. Don't you see? If everything is taxed then there will have to be a government department to promote it so local business men can try to sell it to people who don't have any money to pay for it. But think of all those government jobs that will be created. They get paid every week and will have to pay taxes. Therefore the IRS will take in more money and real soon we'll have a surplus.
OMG, don't ask that question!! Heaven help us, but you will get an answer to it.
It's just another series of smoke and mirrors to create more government jobs via the backs of tax payers. It's how government grows by nickles and dimes.
It's just another series of smoke and mirrors to create more government jobs via the backs of tax payers. It's how government grows by nickles and dimes.
Brilliant! What will they think up next to tax?
Most Christmas Farms deal in cash….good luck enforcing this piece of crap new tax. Taxing an industry usually does not promote it. Another brilliant move by our Feds. I hope this article is false, but for some reason I think it's true….
Actually, it's the brilliant idea of Christmas tree farmers. They're the ones who asked for this and have been pushing for it. Don't believe me? See http://www.checkoffstudy.com/. And be sure to check out who's behind the group – ALL are Christmas tree producers.
I actually was thinking about getting a "live" tree this year .. NOT GONNA HAPPEN NOW!
Are you serious? The tree farmers are trying to SAVE their AMERICAN BUSINESS!! The American Christmas tree market has seriously suffered since FAKE TREES MADE IN CHINA!!!! The tree farmer are the ones who proposed this tax for advertising to try and save their AMERICAN business!!! Do you READ ANYTHING???
May I suggest you buy a live tree from a small farm that sells less than 500 trees a year? There are lots of us around – hopefully some in your area – and most of us do this for the fun of it and have no intention of serving as a tax collector for a corrupt, but temporary government.
If he can't get the farmers to submit the tax, watch out, he'll send in the TSA along with the IRS and the 20% CIA killers to grope, feel and demand it. Barack Obama is just made that way. After all Eric Holder is his Santa Claus handing out machine guns to the mexican drug lords through the ATF for free, Why, Obama has a bag of goodies for everything.
They will likely be taxed at the wholesale level AND at the retail level, as the governemnt won't make it clear WHO is responsible. The wholesalers and retailers will each add an extra $1.00 to THEIR price, to cover the administrative costs to pay the government.
…and the tax money will go into a 'lock box' so that future generations of christmas trees will have money in their 'golden years.Right?
unless you live in Louisiana
Most tree farms are tax assessed by selling more than $500 worth of produce therefore some sales must be on the books and therefore taxed.
Most Christmas Farms deal in cash….good luck enforcing this piece of crap new tax. Taxing an industry usually does not promote it. Another brilliant move by our Feds. I hope this article is false, but for some reason I think it's true….
They'll just assume every tree seller is cheating and fine them all. (like how they tax tips of restaurant waiters – based on an arbitrary average.)
i am sure the trees will be taxes at the wholesale level, just like the soda can tax in NY; that way all trees will be taxed, whether they are sold or not, with the benefit going to the government.
Most Christmas Farms deal in cash….good luck enforcing this piece of crap new tax. Taxing an industry usually does not promote it. Another brilliant move by our Feds. I hope this article is false, but for some reason I think it's true….
All new taxes have to start in Congress.
This is a scary new trend. :(:(:(:(
All new taxes have to start in Congress.
This is a scary new trend. :(:(:(:(
To Jeremy's Point,….
"This is a scary new trend. :(:(:(:("
Huh?
How old are you?……a "scary new trend"?,…..have you been unable to communicate with the outside world for the last 50 years?
Are you unaware of the "trend" which has continued unabated for decades in this country,…. stripping you of your constitutional rights?
Ron Paul has been telling you for thirty years what is wrong with our country,…yet "we" continue to allow gangsterism and graft at levels that would make the ancient Romans blush,….
…but for some,…it is a "scary new trend",…no wonder we are going down the tubes as a constitutional republic….
Regards,
RJ O'Guillory
Author-
Webster Groves-The Life of an Insane Family
Although it's probably just what Obama wants to happen, how about just calling all the trees "Holiday" trees and circumventing the tax altogether?
Although it's probably just what Obama wants to happen, how about just calling all the trees "Holiday" trees and circumventing the tax altogether?
My thought, too…but ya beat me to it!
what are you kidding. the man is whacked in the head.
This administration is a national tragedy.
I can't say "WTF?" because I've long since worn out that phrase when it comes to this President and Administration.
Hahaha, me too. Just cant keep saying it though. Nothing else fits.
Ha! There is an entire website dedicated to saying "WTF" about the current administration and policies that don't make sense. mywtfblog.com. It's one of my favorites…the website also links to this story http://mywtfblog.com/2011/11/christmas-tree-tax/
This administration is a national tragedy.
How the Grinch stole Christmas?
hahahhhaa!
Hope and change, by the time this guy is out of office I won't even have that.
Obama….the jokes just keep coming
"Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees."
Just what we need. A new federal program, more taxes and a dumb line of reasoning. What idiot thinks the i,age and marketing of Christmas trees needs to be improved?
Face
Palm
Just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy doesn't it?
Wow! You can't make this stuff up. If it was April 1, I'd think this was a joke.
What next? A Halloween Pumpkin tax? Thanksgiving Turkey tax? Unbelievable! The man truly has never met a tax he didn't like. He and his progmaniacs in DC have got to go.
Can we not even get through Christmas without the government intervening?
How did Christmas trees and Christmas tree sales get along without this tax for the past 100 years or so?
The purpose of the Board is to run a “program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Christmas trees; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Christmas tree industry” (7 CFR 1214.46(n)). And the program of “information” is to include efforts to “enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States” (7 CFR 1214.10).
Why on earth do we need a new federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees and of course an accompanying Christmas tree tax to pay for this misguided program. Government keeps growing and growing and growing and growing and growing . . . . The federal leviathian state is way way way too big and it taxes too much ! ! ! I guess liberals just can't help themselves — they'll just keep growing government and getting it involved in areas where the free market was just doing fine.
Is this a joke??
Well, I guess I’ll just be buying a fake tree this year! Get your hands out of my pocket!
15% OR 15 cents both appear in this story which is it?
Uhhh….
Well….
Wh…..
Are you *&%^ing kidding me!?!??!?! Don't these people GET IT???
WAIT…OK…….you're making this up, right? AWWWwwww….ya' almost got me!!
Christmas Tree Tax? Are you sure this story is for today and wasn't supposed to run on April Fools' Day? If this isn't a joke, it only proves the current resident of the White House is a April Fools joke. One year from today, we need to cancel his lease on the premises.
This president upsets me to no end but what really bothers me more are those who voted for him b/c of the color of his skin and not his character. Now we all suffer b/c he hates the America we all love.
This is great that Drudge linked heritage site!!!
Of course the poor and middle class don't buy trees so of course this isnt a tax on them right? People are suckers.
You've got to be kidding me!
How can they levy a tax without congress approval
HO HO HO From the Grinch
sad. just sad.
I thought I was reading a story from the Onion. Unbelievable!
Is there a "Friend of Barack" in the Christmas Tree Biz, perhaps?
And what about the Non-Fresh Trees, read "artificial"?
Is there going to be a surcharge on those too?
Doesn't this violate the First Amendment protection of free exercise of religion? Where is the ACLU? Where is Americans United for Separation of Church and State? Besides being stupid, it's dangerous government intrusion. By the way, the definition of a tax: "1. a sum of money demanded by a government for its support or for specific facilities or services, levied upon incomes, property, sales, etc." To portray this as "not a tax" is disingenuous in the extreme.
I am skeptical about their objectives. This administration refuses to recognize that the national motto is "In God We Trust"
The Obama administration either has no heart or they are just completely out of their minds. I really think they are that stupid.
Who else is waiting for the pop-up window to say it’s a joke.?
I suppose we should be happy that Chairman Obama is focusing his attention on important issues like these and not further devastating the Middle East, North Africa, and the economy instead?
Now he wants to call it a Christmas tree? What happened to 'holiday' trees?
This is an Onion article, right? Or maybe it's Monty Python. Or Punch. Or something.
This cannot be real.
Really?
So it won't be OWS that will drag down Obama like a millstone around his neck. It will be, after all, the Christmas Tree Tax.
Next up: The Easter Bunny Tax to promote the image and marketing of colored eggs.
Merry taX-mas everybody!
What next? A Hanukah Candle tax?
I thought we had to call it a "Holiday Tree" now –
I am at a total loss for words…except that he cannot be elected again!
Is anything sacred to these Liberal DemoRat tax freaks
Who else is waiting for the pop-up window to say it’s a joke.?
More big government. Get rid of Obama in 2012.
Is this a joke?
Someone, anyone please tell me where in the Constitution that We the People, or the States, gave our Federal Government the power to tax us for the sake of Christmas tree image improvement. If the Big Christmas Tree Complex can not pay for or do not want to pay for their own marketing then it is suddenly the responsibility of the Federal Government? This is another ridiculous expenditure of our tax money!
Why is this not surprising. How sad is that this kind of "crap" is what we have come to expect from this President?
Give him time and he will tax the dirt in your yard, the air we breath, our conversations, and the walks we like to take in the evenings.
You've gotta be kidding me!
Unbelievable President Scrooge!
What's next? Santa Claus IRS audit, Easter Bunny registration fee, and a Punxsutawney Phil land tax?
Are you kidding me???????
Next Santa will be taxed some how
Thanks David, this guy and his administration is full of reindeer puckey…
Oh for godsake, is nothing sacred?!
a tax on christmas trees to help promote the growth of the christmas tree industry…. hmmmm. so tax the item you want to promote growth in. what??
BAH HUMBUG
WOW! Let's tax Christmas! Brilliant Dem's……just brilliant. Next there will be a Church tax for all those attending Christmas Day Mass.
You have to be kidding. Seriously?? Like the government isn't big enough already with complete wasteful jobs?
Well how about that! A tax on a item used in a Christian holiday! Shame, shame, shame!
Well said David. Thanks for your service to your country.
Christmas Tree Tax? Are you sure this story is for today and wasn't supposed to run on April Fools' Day? If this isn't a joke
Liberals are so stupid….it's almost breathtaking…..
this has to be the dumbest thing i have ever read
Gog help us
Gog help us
No, grog help us! At this point, all sanity has been lost by the big O.
If you want to discourage a certain behavior, you tax it. Just goes to show how far they are willing to go to attack Christmas.
If you want to discourage a certain behavior, you tax it. Just goes to show how far they are willing to go to attack Christmas.
The government has become destructive to the very ends of everything it was put in place to preserve. It's never ending appetite for other people's money cannot be satisfied. To tax a religious symbol such as a Christmas tree is repulsive and disgusting. If the state and the church are to be separated, the Christmas tree shouldn't be taxed any more than the American flag. Toss this administration out and all incumbents in congress over and over until they get the message that we are fed up with this legalized theft of our money.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! All he has to do now is get attacked by a rabbit…
Just like stupid Obama to tax Christmas Trees. What a stupid grinch!!!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
another ploy for our secular government to disrespect Christmas and the season under the ploy of helping the Christmas tree growers. We know the growers will pass the tax on to the consumer, and the obama administration will gain a tax advantage under false pretenses.
So, Obama needs a new tax to promote Christmas trees? Seriously? What are they going to do, tell people to buy Christmas trees for Christmas? In other words, Obama is coming up with a new tax to make another govt department that we don't need.
These people are INSANE.
These people are INSANE.
These people are INSANE.
JESUS CHRIST ON A RUBBER CRUTCH
It is an Obama Christian TAX
It's good that no one making less than $250,000 per year buys real Christmas trees. Otherwise, Obama broke his promise about raising taxes on the poor.
Unbelievable President Scrooge!
Unbelievable President Scrooge!
Obama must go……….Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Hope Americans wake to how he is destroying our Country.
Obama must go……….Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Hope Americans wake to how he is destroying our Country.
this is not a Christmas tree fee ,, it's a tax,, a BS tax ,, GOD HELP THE USA.
"Nobody is saying President Obama doesn’t have authority to impose his new Christmas Tree Tax…"
EXCEPT the Constitution of the United States of America.
Not that anyone seems to care about that old piece of paper these days…
WOW…. just wow.
15 cents?! The story will completely disappear. If it was 15 DOLLARS, he'd have a big fight on his hands.
15 cents today….15 dollars tomorrow….beware…
It's not the amount, it's the audacity.
15 cents each time the tree is sold? Farm to distributor, Distributor to dealer, dealer to stand, stand to consumer. Sounds more like 60 cents per tree!
15 cents?! The story will completely disappear. If it was 15 DOLLARS, he'd have a big fight on his hands.
15 cents?! The story will completely disappear. If it was 15 DOLLARS, he'd have a big fight on his hands.
How about Obama put a 15 cent tax on every burqa sold in the U.S. so the federal government could improve the burqa image and marketing? I guess that story would disappear also, right?
It is what we don't see in the small print of the story, I bet the want to control the farms and will viciously go after violators that don't comply.
I have a hard time believing this Government supporting a "Christmas" anything.
Especially Obama.
Aren't they promoting a specific faith by doing this?
The Secretary of Agriculture is an idiot if he thinks Christmas trees need to be promoted. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack should be more worried about the fact that the United States has become a net IMPORTER of FOOD:
http://www.grist.org/article/us-about-to-become-n…
Or maybe Agriculture Secretary Vilsack should be more worried about the fact that much of our agricultural labor is being performed by Enemy Aliens, while many Americans are on unemployment benefits which are about to run out.
Honestly, I don't know what Tom Vilsack is going to do for a living when he loses his job on 20 January 2013. I guess he will live on his gubernatorial and cabinet pensions, because he is too stupid to work at McDonalds.
Tax for the advertising of a product. Wow
It actually happens every day in every major city in the nation. It's called an Advertising & Promotion tax, and I'll bet you're paying it right now & don't even know it.
Tax for the advertising of a product. Wow
You win! This is undoubtedly the most trifling complaint I've heard about Obama this entire week. A tax that will go right back into to supporting the very same industry, no less.
But did the "christmas tree" industry ask for the support or did the Federal government just gaze down from upon high and decree "You need my help, give me some money and I'll tell you what your doing wrong". I know as a cutter/seller of trees that I certainly wasn't asked. While this is a teeny tiny insignificant tax it speaks to the larger issue of the Federal government thinking it knows what's the best for all of us. Oh and by the way, the new 15 cent tax is also going to add about 10 cents a tree in "admin" costs for me to track, report and submit the new tax so now it's a quarter to my customer.
If you believe the money will actually go back to the industry rather than into the pockets of the newly minted bureaucracy, you're more naive than Red Riding Hood.
Are you really that stupid so as to miss the point of our outrage?
Anybody who believes that will happen needs to pay more taxes.
You miss the point, It is a direct attack on Christians since they are the only ones that buy Christmas trees. That is what the problem is. Next there will be an added tax on kosher food since it is only Jews that buy it. Do you not see, his hate and contempt for Christians & Jews is coming full circle.
You win! This is undoubtedly the most trifling complaint I've heard about Obama this entire week. A tax that will go right back into to supporting the very same industry, no less.
You win! This is undoubtedly the most trifling complaint I've heard about Obama this entire week. A tax that will go right back into to supporting the very same industry, no less.
Are you serious? You can't be serious. What the blue hell does the federal government know about how to run a Christmas tree farm?!?!?! Why take their 15 cents from them only to give it back to them. Lunacy. It's lunacy if it was one penny! And to call it a mandatory fee instead of a tax is insulting.
They actually know a thing or two about marketing. Which is exactly what they are doing. "Milk: it does a body good" "The Incredible Edible Egg" "Pork: the other white meat"……any of those ring a bell?? All very successful marketing campaigns funded by the USDA in the exact same way.
You win! This is undoubtedly the most trifling complaint I've heard about Obama this entire week. A tax that will go right back into to supporting the very same industry, no less.
Didn't we start a war over being taxed once already
What is wrong with the current image of the Christmas tree? And why is the fed gov't getting involved with it's marketing?
Haven't you heard, "there's a war on Christmas!"
This is not about marketing Christmas. This is about, "I have a few bureacrats that need a home, so we'll create a new program with a new tax to support them. Nothing to do with Christmas.
Didn't we start a war over being taxed once already
Enough is enough he's gotta go. Whats next taxing the amount of air we breathe. Where's the money gonna go to another Solyndra? Pack up your stuff you have 1yr left.
Like they really care about the image of Christmas trees. What a crock!
rediculous
Ridiculous, Bob.
rediculous
We need to switch to a two-year term, with a term limit of two terms per President. Or, a single four year term, no re-election possible. Get these "career politician" clowns out of office before they can wreck the country. We need to pull ALL congressional benefits too, as soon as a congressional officeholder leaves office; and limit them to two terms each. Federal Government: stop playing favorites and get out of the way.
This at the same time that the White House is calling them Holiday Trees?
This at the same time that the White House is calling them Holiday Trees?
How is increasing the price the consumer pays enhance the image of Christmas trees?
rediculous
I guess quran is a dirty word around here, requiring administrator approval, or something.
What a grinch.
… my apologies to all Doctor Seuss fans out there
Well, if the government wasn't so amped up about removing Christmas decorations from airports, train stations, govt. buildings, schools, etc. they'd have better luck.
And really — a tree tax? Seriously? They run out of things to tax?
Someone out there is about to buy a few $10,000 toilet seats…
Another billiant idea
The man is insane.
The man will tax everything if he could, even the air you breath!!
what does anyone expect from a redistribution, socialist, progressive, Marxist leaning individual? This was all known years ago from the company he keeps and the books he wrote. It still makes me laugh when he had his Bill Clinton moment, when he looked right at the camera with the whole nation watching and he said," I will not raise the middle class taxes one dime!", I guess he ment thousands of dollars really isn't "a dime".
Is this a satire..?
Excuse me, but the executive branch does NOT have the power to impose a tax on anything. That is a power reserved exclusively to the congress in Article I, Section 8, Clause 1, and only for the purposes outlined in the subsequent powers specified by the very same article/section of the constitution. That's ok. The federal courts would probably support this.
When the federal government has a monopoly on the interpretation of the constitution, one should not be surprised when it keeps discovering new powers for itself.
Down with Christians, i say stop Christmas!!!!
This, like Obama, is a joke, right?
Great job in catching this one Mr. Addington. Nothing that comes out of this administration should shock any of us, but this one strains the limits of credibility.
I immediately sent this over to my friends on another blog so they could add their spin and help spread the craziness. Here is their quick take on your story: http://mywtfblog.com/2011/11/christmas-tree-tax/
Thanks for your work and the laugh.
well theres your hope and change once again
Sheer evil genius. Let's tax Thanksgiving turkeys while we're at it… and gingerbread men and pumpkin pie-and the pictures kiddies draw for mom to post on the fridge. Sheesh.
You have got to be kidding.
Obama is now a professional at circumventing the Constitution. Although, I'm quite positive he would much prefer to just declare it null and void, and rule AmeriKa like the dictator wannabe he is.
Don't forget, Wall Street has made more money in the 2.5 years under Obama than it did in the 8 years under Bush. Yet Obama's OWS crowd mindlessly follows Soros, the Unions, the radicals like Ayers, Acorn, Pelosi, Reid, the Muslim Brotherhood…………….with trying to collapse our economic system. They have no idea the Communism they scream out will lead them straight to a Gulag.
So now the Government is is the business of promoting Christmas….lol…rotflmao
"We just want to help you", "Hello, I'm from the government and I'm here to help", and by the way, pay the fee or else.
Ask the other businesses that provide milk, and beef they also pay fees so the government can help there industry. Whether it helps the industry or not I'm not sure but it appears to provide plenty of reasons to party and have a good time on the industry's dime…, well actually, yours and my dime.
Things must be getting tight at the department of agriculture, their planned holiday ender parties werejust not going to happen… looks like Santa will come to the rescue, and hey, it's only fifteen cents so quit your whining.
Why don't you not collect the tax and let the Christmas tree industry decide if they want better marketing. After all if it were worth it to them, I'm sure they would voluntarily do it as opposed to being forced. But then again, I know that the most prominent Christmas tree farmers usually make the transition into government, so I'd be willing to bet that the agricultural department knows FAR more about Christmas tree farming than those whose livelihoods depend on it. It's a slow pace, but it's quickening. If WE continue to LET the government impose it's will on us like this, pretty soon we won't have a choice in anything……Was this even voted on? The article makes it seem like a department kind of just "hey, we're doing this-so suck it"….
This is a joke right? What next, a tax on department store santas?
Wonder of wonders, King Obama at it again.
Okay, is Obama the newest member of Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated? His next trick will be to to come out with the Christmas-inator.
Because you Proles insist on calling them Christmas trees they will now be taxed…if you Proles had more readily accepted the States rebranding them as Holiday trees perhaps this wouldn't have had to happen. Know your place Proles.
What about the Festivus Pole. It's not fair. I'm the 99 percent. I deserve a tax on the Festivus Poles.
NNNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Too many taxes…
Too many Programs…
Too much Government…
Stop it! Just Stop it!
15 cents?!?! 15 CENTS!!!! FIFTEEN CENTS! THAT'S 15% OF A DOLLAR! Fifteen pennies! Three nickles! Almost a quarter!
Not a tax? Let's see. The government charges me money that will go to the Federal Government to start a new Board… if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck… Our economy is in the toilet and this is the best this loser of a President can come up with? God help us survive until November 2012.
I am changing my voter registration from Democrat to Republican because i have had enough of the whole tax to pay for government programs thing!
This reads like an article from the Onion. I am not sure if I believe it or not.
unfortunately it's true. looked up the new regs. this follows from fed. govn't "similarly" imposed "promotional taxes on cotton, beef ,milk , pork ,watermelons,pineapples ," hops" raisins , "greenhouse" cucumbers , mushrooms , the list goes on ; california imposed same crap on 46 "commodities " and other states have followed the feds . btw louisiana has one on "pelts and skins "—but Christmas trees are in another league ; " The power to tax is the power to destroy ! " tommie Jefferson
Nothing surprises me anymore…
Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes. "Increasingly Lawless" was the perfect description for this abomination of an administration.
So, what will it be called: The Winter Holiday Tree or what?
Just Fantastic! really..
This would be a great story for April Fool's Day but I suppose I'm not that surprised. So now, the federal government has progressed from taxing everything that moves to begin taxing things that just sit in our living rooms.
No problem. There will be a free Chairman Mao ornament with every tree.
Obama is just circumventing the Constitution, he's become quite the expert at that with Executive Orders.
Last I checked, only Congress could approve new taxes, Oh wait, maybe that's why they said it wasn't a tax?
Sigh….
Mr. Addington writes, "Nobody is saying President Obama doesn’t have authority to impose his new Christmas Tree Tax". Well I say so. Used in this way, the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act violates the Establishment Clause of the US Constitution by ostensibly promoting Christmas trees, part of the holiday celebration of Christians after all.
Unbelievable.
It's just a big money grab. They'll probably want to unionize the sellers too.
When will be be rid of the pretender! I for one cannot wait until he is unemployed, then maybe we can revoke his check for not being a US citizen and undue all that he has done in the name of one.
Head in hands….I'm beside myself!
Will this Christmas Tree tax increase each year? And why tax all growers of all Christmas trees? This puts a great burden on growers, which eventually passes to the consumer. If the tax is burdensome now for growers, what happens if the tax increases? If it increases will it be profitable for growers and will consumers want to spend the money? The question has to be asked -Is there a hidden agenda to slowly do away with Christmas trees, and thus its Christmas meaning? Is there a Grinch trying to steal/do away with Christmas?
He can't stop. Now the government is now going to ruin christmas.
Half jokingly – Is this a fee only on Christians? Is that legal?
If I call it a "Holiday Tree," does that mean I don't have to pay the 15 cents?
Say WHAT????? A new gubmint Dept. for some Madison ave flunky who couldn't make it in the real world now gets gubmint job and bennies besides retirement package with healthcare, just friggin great! I am sure that the Christmas Tree Growers Association already have this taken care of and doesn't need gubmint helping them sell their trees. Besides didn't Obama say he wouldn't raise taxes on the poor and middle class? This to me is a tax as well and just in time for Christmas to boot! The people want smaller gubmint not bigger and this dept. is just totally rediculous.
Is it 2012 yet?
FIRE Obama! Unbelievable!
I want to say I'm shocked…but with this Administration this is par for the course
"…designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace."
How and why exactly is this necessary? And how are they going to strengthen its position in the marketplace? Hey, maybe with the right ad slogan they can get Jewish families to start buying a Christmas tree! Maybe we can start promoting Christmas-In-July trees! That's like double the sales!
Honestly, this is one of the most ludicrous things I've ever heard.
How does increasing the costs for consumers to buy enhance the image of Christmas trees????
Another thing the ACLU will of course want to know: isn't this promoting the establishment of a religion?
Last time I checked, the executive branch has absolutely no authority whatsoever to levy any tax of any kind unless it has been passed by Congress. Yes, this is a tax. It doesn't stop being a tax just because they say that it isn't a tax. "A rose by any other name…"
Lovely, a tax to "improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees. What the hell does that even mean, I believe it means "money grab for federal employees"
Anyone care to disuade me from that opinion?
Since the money isn't for general revenue and has a particular goal of supporting the christmas tree industry Isn't this an endorsement of a certain religion and thereby prohibited?
Any affiliation (taxed or not) between any Christmas tree and the current federal administration will only mar the reputation of the Christmas tree.
O has no shame, nor do his lackies. They actually seem to take pride in their unabashed lies. It will truly be a Merry Christmas when they are sent packing.
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha …[catch my breath]…Hohohohohohohoho!
Keep vetoing Democratic Y'all !!!
What the… Is that legal? There is no interstate commerse if a tree is grow, harvested, and sold in the same state. I will not support Obama trees this year. SORRY, to the tree farmers in my area.
That picture off of Drudge was priceless. (The link is here)
http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/SWuSfcyF.Oti7vC…
Mass hysteria can and does happen, but mass insanity? They deny that our country is Christian, call Christmas a holiday instead of a holy day, won't allow Christian prayer as it might offend someone, but celebrate muslim holy days in the White House and make special provisions for muslim prayer in schools and work places and now they want to enhance the image of Christmas trees? Disgusting!
I didn't think we had Christmas trees anymore. I thought we had Holiday Trees. If I am Jewish and buy a Holiday Tree, do I get a tax waiver? What if I buy a Holiday Tree for firewood, do I get a tax waiver? If I buy a Christmas tree, but I am not Christian, do I get a tax waiver?
I think this tax targets Christians, so I am not surprised Obama ordered it, but I am surprised that he ordered a tax targeted to Christians at Christmas before an election year. I was under the impression that he wanted to win.
my hero….
What a tool
Now the Stooge Stole Christmas…..
So more corporate welfare… why should taxpayers have to subsidize marketing budgets for the Christmas tree industry? Isn't that something they should be doing on their own?
Maybe we should follow the money trail and see what political favors are being dished out? Is the Christmas tree lobby contributing funds to the Obama campaign?
America, wake up. Business as usual whether its republicans or democrats is not sustainable for much longer. So far neither party is offering up a viable candidate to lead the way out of this mess with the exception of maybe congressman Paul.
Why is there a federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees?
Calling the WH tomorrow and congress to complain.
Calling my congressman and senator to complain.
Blood shooting from eyes.
this is insanse
Why tax Christmas trees at this time of year?
This is a fee, not a tax!
unbelievable!!!
What kind of crap is this? Our gov. keeps putting fees or taxes on everything & then they wonder why people take their business to another country. Most people will not be able to afford the price of a tree this year due to the terrible economy. Drudge report says gas could go to $200 a barrel soon which means the price to transport trees will go up without the help of their stupid x-mas tree board. I guess we will have to ask ourselves " how much is too much?" & were can I chop down my own for free?
This isn't a tax. It's a producer-funded program known as a checkoff. It is also not "imposed" by the government. Producer groups ask USDA for permission to create the checkoff, for the purpose of promoting, marketing and research of their particular industry.
Producers of many crops (corn, soybeans, etc.) and livestock (cattle, hogs) have created checkoff programs for the same purpose. The most famous would be the "Beef… It's What's For Dinner" and the "Pork – The Other White Meat." Yep, these are producer-funded checkoff programs.
And the kicker… every three years the producers decide whether to continue with the program or end it. I'll repeat that, to make sure you understand it… the PRODUCERS pay the fifteen cents, and the PRODUCERS decide whether the program continues or goes away. Not the government.
Yep, it's not even close to a tax. You have totally misrepresented the program. Maybe a little more fact-checking would be in order.
You can get more information here: http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2011/11/08/5915325….
But wait – it's can't be a Christmas Tree tax – it's a Holiday Tree tax
If he's trying to promote the Fresh Cut tree industry, wouldn't it make more sense to add a $1 a tree tax for ARTIFICIAL, NON-RENEWABLE trees as an incentive to buy fresh trees instead?
"expend existing markets for Christmas trees"
Truest typo I've seen in a while.
Of course, the board will have their quaterly meetings in Hawaii.
Here is a question that you failed to ask but is more important than the tax, why in the world is there a program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees & why does there need to be a Christmas Tree Promotion Board? Who is getting their palm greased on this deal? This is big government run amok!
I have to give Obama credit. Where does he come up with ideas for his ridulous taxes? They are so creative. Perhaps he should try his hand at science fiction?
I have to give Obama credit. Where does he come up with ideas for his ridulous taxes? They are so creative. Perhaps he should try his hand at science fiction?
Since when does the Christmas tree industry Need a better Image???? This is a Dem Law ..if it makes money TAX IT !!!!!. The Federal Government has no Need to manage the image of tree growers better they are private companies!!!!! Dems must go government must shrink to half of its size!!!!!
What next, a tax on the Easter bunny and the tooth Fairy ????
What next, a tax on the Easter bunny and the tooth Fairy ????
Don't give him any ideas
We'd like to throw this administration out of the White House – and their stupid Liberal pals with all their failed ideas – to improve the image of America.
This is just another grain of sand in the economic machine. The cost to small businesses to track and report this will significantly outweigh the revenue raised. A Christmas tree farm is a prime example of a business likely to be hurt by the burden of paperwork.
Oh Christmas Fee, oh Christmas Fee, how I wish I could void you…..
Oh Christmas Fee, oh Christmas Fee, how I wish I could void you…..
WINNING!
Stupid is as Stupid does.
Stupid is as Stupid does.
You have got to be kidding me.
A federal tax to improve the image of the Tree?
This is not a constitutional tax…
You have got to be kidding me.
A federal tax to improve the image of the Tree?
This is not a constitutional tax…
Every time I think this admin has sunk to its lowest level possible, they prove me wrong yet again. Is there NOTHING sacred to this devil in the WH?
Every time I think this admin has sunk to its lowest level possible, they prove me wrong yet again. Is there NOTHING sacred to this devil in the WH?
He just keeps screwing everything up.
He just keeps screwing everything up.
"I'm from the government and I'm here to help. Ho Ho Ho!" exclaimed the rosy cheeked man with his hand extended palm up, as though he were waiting for something.
"I'm from the government and I'm here to help. Ho Ho Ho!" exclaimed the rosy cheeked man with his hand extended palm up, as though he were waiting for something.
Is this for real?
If so, it is just another indication that President Obama is a taxaholic. He just can't help it. He loves to tax people and spend their money. He can't help it. He loves to raise taxes. He is addicted.
Tell me this isn't for real.
I don't believe that he is a taxaholic….but rather a combination of arrogant and power with a sprinkle of narc ism.
Is this for real?
If so, it is just another indication that President Obama is a taxaholic. He just can't help it. He loves to tax people and spend their money. He can't help it. He loves to raise taxes. He is addicted.
Tell me this isn't for real.
The marketing will be to advertise "holiday tree's" rather than Christmas trees! We will be powerless to change that federal program and also stuck with the bill…shame on you Mr. Obama!
The marketing will be to advertise "holiday tree's" rather than Christmas trees! We will be powerless to change that federal program and also stuck with the bill…shame on you Mr. Obama!
This is truly a government out of control.
Here is the thing that I like about this: They called them "Christmas Trees", not "Holiday Trees". I bet that slipped through.
I agree. Last I checked there has not been any kind of image or marketing problem with Christmas trees.
I also like the statement that it is not a tax. Ok, all of the money withheld from paychecks is not for taxes, either, so that makes it all different. Everything's fine.
What gaul these people have.
The money will be used by the Board? Umm, I like the way that sounds. More vacay? Ski trips and such? Gifts for family and friends? Just wondering…
We have the 3 million, oops… 3k, jobs magically created by making some civil war fort a national monument. How about if Obama makes my apartment a national monument and just send me a modest check every month?
I also like the statement that the sellers are free to pass the .15 to the buyers. That was brilliant and never would have occurred to me that would happen.
I know it's only 15 cent, read like 50 cent, but still… it's the thought that counts.
The Christmas tree market already sucks….the price has dropped astronomically, this is going to help how?
They could care less if it helps. It's just to skim off a few cents on every tree for as long as they can.
Follow the money, after it is collected, and the heavy handed, punitive enforcment, on the retailers, many that are non profits, or religious, Christian entites. Why would the attack them?
Follow the money, after it is collected, and the heavy handed, punitive enforcment, on the retailers, many that are non profits, or religious, Christian entites. Why would the attack them?
Follow the money, after it is collected, and the heavy handed, punitive enforcment, on the retailers, many that are non profits, or religious, Christian entites. Why would the attack them?
The Christmas tree market already sucks….the price has dropped astronomically, this is going to help how?
If we change the name from Christmas tree to Holiday tree do we still have the tax?
Part II…
I know it's only 15 cent, read like 50 cent, but still… it's the thought that counts.
The National Christmas Tree Association reports that 25-30 million "real" Christmas trees are sold each year.
Since I'm was educated before liberals destroyed our education system… that is between 3.75 and 4 million dollars every year…. for "the Board."
I had NO idea the Christmas tree image and marketing was in such distress to warrant that kind of money.
Where's 60 Minutes?
What a joke… oh, Congress wants to impose a sales tax on internet sales. A new measure to be introduced by the Dems and GOP traitors. Just sayin….
The hits just keep on coming…
Good luck and buy fake trees from here on out.
ugh…Public Over-taxation issues aside, the irony here is that you know the cost to enforce and collect that 15 cents is going to be at least a $1.
I didn't know Christmas trees had a bad image. I wonder what they did to taint their image?
I didn't know Christmas trees had a bad image. I wonder what they did to taint their image?
I didn't know Christmas trees had a bad image. I wonder what they did to taint their image?
this has to be a take on The Onion, right? A Christmas Tree Promotion Board? really? to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees??? the country is crashing and burning and THIS is what comes out of the government??!!
this has to be a take on The Onion, right? A Christmas Tree Promotion Board? really? to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees??? the country is crashing and burning and THIS is what comes out of the government??!!
Why do dems keep calling new Taxes "Fees"? When the government mandates a fee on a good, service, transaction, or income, its a TAX! Just changing the term does not change that they take out money!
Why do dems keep calling new Taxes "Fees"? When the government mandates a fee on a good, service, transaction, or income, its a TAX! Just changing the term does not change that they take out money!
Only in Obama's America. Herman Cain 2012!
Only in Obama's America. Herman Cain 2012!
Hmmm… A new tax to fund a Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
Hmmm… A new tax to fund a Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
got get their greasy, sticky fingers into everything. Actually with the Feds involved I'll think I'll buy a Aluminum Tree. Sick of em.
WTF!!!!
WTF!!!!
The author forgot to write "April Fool" at the end of this story. This is utterly ridiculous.
The author forgot to write "April Fool" at the end of this story. This is utterly ridiculous.
Merry Christmas America ! O, O, O….
Merry Christmas America ! O, O, O….
Our government at work again! Unbelievable.
I had hoped to see a date tag on this article that said April 1st. Sadly, no such luck. 364 days and counting…
this has to be a take on The Onion, right? A Christmas Tree Promotion Board? really? to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees??? the country is crashing and burning and THIS is what comes out of the government??!!
As far this administration is concerned, money does grow on trees . . .
its not the fee that scares me, its the fact that government is concerned with improving the image and marketing of christmas trees. i bet way too many people made some extra non taxed money for the holidays for the baddies to put up with.
The Grinch who stole America and now Christmas….
This has to be a joke
Don't you mean HOLIDAY trees?
He's a one trick pony, tax, tax, tax. Its all he knows. And then spend, spend, spend. And more paperwork for the Christmas tree growers. And we job creators withdraw as the risk become higher, the paperwork more plentiful and the taxes more numerous and confusing. We sit at the sidelines watching the ship sink.
They called it a Christmas Tree……?
I long for the old America and the freedom we once had.
What they fail to see is the precedent to "promote" the Christmas tree with be a foot in the door to promote other things using the straw argument well if we are going to promote Christmas trees I am sure there are some other items that should be promoted. Since those other "items" will not be as widely sold they will use the Christmas tree money for other things or more than likely increase the 15 cent tax to $15.
Help me, why?
Where is the ACLU to scream about separation of church and state. Are we going to have a candle tax too?
WTF?
WTF?
Oh my gosh!!! When will it stop???
This is a literal example of the government nickle and diming us to death with taxes. one nickle plus one dime equals fifteen cents. $ 0.05 + $0.10 = $0.15.
It will not stop there. Look at your cell phone I am not sure where the starting point was for taxes on a cell phone years ago, but now it is up to over 20% taxes from every agency that can get there hands in your pocket, not to mention all the surcharges by the companies themselves.
"A tax on Christmas trees to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees."
That's enough to stun the Mad Hatter. Are they insane, or are they trying to bring the U.S. down?
Yes!
"A tax on Christmas trees to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees."
That's enough to stun the Mad Hatter. Are they insane, or are they trying to bring the U.S. down?
Yes to both questions. Insane and hell bent on destroying the United States
That's all the democrats can do: tax and spend! It is time for change we can live with, time for a new administration to put the power back in the hands of those who respect freedom and property rights.
So separation of church and state, Christmas of course being a Christian holiday, doesn't apply if there's money to be made?
How ridiculous.
How ridiculous.
Is this a joke?
If not. its still pretty funny.
Christmas tree purchases are typically all cash transactions with no paper trails.
So is this is not a joke, the lack of compliance will be even more hysterical.
Is this a joke?
If not. its still pretty funny.
Christmas tree purchases are typically all cash transactions with no paper trails.
So is this is not a joke, the lack of compliance will be even more hysterical.
Is this a joke?
If not. its still pretty funny.
Christmas tree purchases are typically all cash transactions with no paper trails.
So is this is not a joke, the lack of compliance will be even more hysterical.
OBAMA = The GRINCH
OBAMA = The GRINCH
Wow. So this tax is only for bazillionaires right?
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/…
"I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes."
Riiiiight?
Gosh! I guess the Obozo just won't get it…..well; Ya caint fix stupid. I live in the country, I'll just go harvest a wee Cedar and 'call it a Christmas Tree.' I don't think Jesus will mind.
You're not agitated over any "Christmas Tree Tax". Let's keep it real. Why are you loose? Why haven't they put you away? My advice to you is to keep your trap shut and lie low. The shadows are where you belong. You offend light. Someday people will come to realize who you are and what you've done.
Ho freaking ho.
How did the Christmas tree industry get by for all these years without a Federal Christmas Tree Promotion Board? The horror!
How did the Christmas tree industry get by for all these years without a Federal Christmas Tree Promotion Board? The horror!
absurd, over-reaching, out of touch, brainless. fire all government employee. what does this bureaucrat know about marketing or business. government has become a blight.
You've got to be kidding.
Our church sells Christmas trees to fund its youth programs. This will impact us this year. More than 500 are sold each year- I guess some of the youth members will have to dig up some more money to fund the mission trip.
Hmmm, so the liberals will immediately denounce this tax as a separation of church and state issue, after all, the government will be pushing a religious item (Christian) using a government agency………there is NO tax the liberals hate……….so they will remain silent.
And how stupid is the government official identifying their new tax as a promotion of the CHRISTMAS Tree industry…….
The real silent majority will speak in 2012!
The article is wrong. It's a Winter Season Tree Tax. To be a Christmas Tree Tax would imply that the Government of Obama believes in Christmas, which would offend too many voters.
Free to pass this tax along to consumers? Like Sales Tax? Is this above and beyond the national timber Tax?
You just can't make this stuff up! The ploy to have everyone expect anything this group of lunatics proposes and get us use to following the orders this joker imposes and make the sheep so compliant, he can have his "brown shirts", "purple shirts" or "union shirts", or whatever the useful idiots of the day are, to foment more of his BS for eventual usurpation of our Constitutional Rights. It follows the plan to a 'Tee'….
Free to pass this tax along to consumers? Like Sales Tax? Is this above and beyond the national timber Tax?
So the more trees that are sold, the more tax the government collects to promote something that's already selling well
It's become beyond preposterous.
I seriously thought this was an Onion mock article at first. 2012 can't come soon enough.
I seriously thought this was an Onion mock article at first. 2012 can't come soon enough.
WHAT????? this is such a STUPID tax. PROMOTE christmas trees? What are they going to do, try to get us to put them up on the 4th of July? Use them during Easter? Christmas trees are sold at Christmas !!!! Are they trying to get more real ones than artificial ones? Obama is just a blood sucking leach on the public. If there is a way to slap him down, Washington better do it and do it soon. I wish he would just dissappear and go sit in the time out corner. SHeeeesssshhh.
Last I checked, fresh-cut trees are getting killed by artificial ones. Seems like they could use some marketing. And I'd wager this was an initiative proposed by Christmas tree growers themselves, since these things just don't pop out of nowhere.
Another attack on Christianity by the self–proclaimed messiah, Apostate Obama.
1. Why do you have to market Christmas Trees? It's Christmas… people go buy a tree. 2. I might have to consider an artificial one this year. 3. Scrooge!
They called it a Christmas Tree? Sweet!
They called it a Christmas Tree? Sweet!
Christmas and Christmas trees have a fine "image" with me; my image of medlesome, greedy, tax-and-spend politicians, self-serving bureaucrats and arrogant regulators is appreciably less positive.
The 2012 election can't come soon enough for me!
I demand a 15 cent tax on all Chanukah Candles! Whats fair is fair!
"strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace"
Against what? The Menorah? Or perhaps the Festivus Pole.
Simple…I will go buy a fake tree and never buy another fresh one….obama ain't gettin' into my pocket if there is any way I can prevent it…Can't wait until Nov. '12….
are you sure they are still calling it a christmas tree. I thought for sure they would change that to a holliday tree.
This is ludicrous.
Forced Marketing Program, I didn't know that the Christmas Tree Industry was a wholly owned branch of the government.
Why in the name of anything that is sane is this NECESSARY?! Does the stupid idiotic federal government feel that nothing in this country can survive and prosper without a bureaucrat's piledriver "help"? Sheesh! Just ridiculous!
Ho Ho Ho , Merry Christmas !
This Santa doesnt come down the chimney , he just slides down your pocket right to your walet .
Did he chip in 15 cents for the monster of a tree for the White House ?
It just doesn't get any better than this.
What a joke. Pathetic.
As a former tree farmer…my family's farm of 40 plus years, we really didn't need to improve the image or marketing of Christmas trees. Don't we have enough gov't? Geez, what a waste.
Is there no small corner of our pathetic existence that does not require active government intervention and oversight?
Whew, thank god…. I am only buying a holiday tree.
It's 15 cents….who cares
How utterly ridiculous.
Oh you've got to be kidding me. 15 cents compared to what is bound to be an overpriced tree anyhow? This story is not even worth reading for 15 cents.
Send him packing in November 2012.
How is the promotion of Christmas trees the responsibility of taxpayers? This is an industry problem, if there is any problem at all!
Wow….just wow. Government for the sake of government. Sure it 'saves,' or 'creates,' a job or two for someone to mismanage this new pot of gold.
This is a joke, right?
oh really now??
The nickle and dime administration at it again.
Great PR move.
That's got be the stupidest thing I ever heard of.
Sarcasm?
Looks like the Grinch lives on Pennsylvania Avenue…
You can't make this up. A Christmas tree tax?! And we all know it will end up in someone else's pocket. I think I am about ready to blow a gasket!
Question…." is a new tax on Christmas trees the best Obama can do ?" Yes…yes it is.
Gift wrap tax will be next. #PresidentDownGrade #PresidenMalaise2.0
Enough is enough! First the Obama administration says no to Christmas and the army donating to the Operation Christmas Child toy drive, then they want to promote "Christmas" trees! Wait a minute…I Got it…they ought to just rename them "Totalitarian trees."
Have a happy Commie Christmas…it's the worst idea of the year…oh by golly have a crappy commie Christmas…this year!
"Before tyranny goes to sleep, it checks under the bed for Ron Paul." –Ron Paul 2012.
Yet another sneak attack tax. I assure you it will grow every year. Now that the Christians have a new tax, let's find one for the other major religions.
Yes, just what the country needs, to overhaul its image on Christmas trees…Obama has DUMAS syndrome.
Gas Tax, Beer Tax, Soda Tax, Cigarette Tax, now a Christmas Tree Tax the government should just keep out of what they shouldn't be in. And he wants to be elected again in 2012? Fat Chance. Please let there be a Democrat that will run against him.
Sounds like Scrooge to me!
Why tax Christmas trees at this time of year?
How do you promote something by making it more expensive?
when is a tax not a tax? when is a socialist not a socialist?
I can't believe this isn't straight out of The Onion. This makes my head explode. People we are in trouble, there are UNBELIEVABLY stupid people holding public office. We must make it stop.
I can sum all this up with one word…. GRINCH!!!
Obama just can't stop holding his hand out for other people's money.
HEY BARRY – my tree is a fake one and paid for long ago. PACK SAND!
Sounds like Scrooge to me!
I hope that when Americans fire Barack Obama this time next year, our Republican president gets rid of the Christmas tree tax.
This is TAXATION without REPRESENTATION!!! White House, your a THIEF!!!
I have a better idea. Why not tax every Washington bureaucrat every time they venture out of the city. I suggest a $1,000 tax, with the bureaucrat to be held in the nearest jail, or pig sty if a the jails are full, until such time as their families, or unions, pay their "transfer tax".
At the same time, we could levy a $5,000 a ton tax on all food that crosses the Washington DC city limits.
After a while, we can see whether the leeches in Washington like taxing more than they like eating.
Regrettably, they already rob us for any debt they may accrue while 'acting' as our 'representatives'. They will only up the ante.
How about every time they enter the city? They can only vote when they are there.
I have a better idea. Why not tax every Washington bureaucrat every time they venture out of the city. I suggest a $1,000 tax, with the bureaucrat to be held in the nearest jail, or pig sty if a the jails are full, until such time as their families, or unions, pay their "transfer tax".
At the same time, we could levy a $5,000 a ton tax on all food that crosses the Washington DC city limits.
After a while, we can see whether the leeches in Washington like taxing more than they like eating.
Regrettably, they already rob us for any debt they may accrue while 'acting' as our 'representatives'. They will only up the ante.
How about every time they enter the city? They can only vote when they are there.
The goal is to "promote" Christmas trees…by taxing them. That's like selling a horse with a limp.
Now that we have a new tax, we will need a new Dept to administer the tax. Naturally we will be required to increase the tax to fund the increasing expenses and salaries associated with this Dept.
But look on the bright side! We all know that there is nothing quite as effective at increasing sales of any given item other than increasing it's price. Right? Kinda' like an ipod. The more they cost, the more they're in demand?
I would like to apply for the job in that government agency/department, cause I KNOW the SALARY is going to be like Tony Tiger said…..
I would like to apply for the job in that government agency/department, cause I KNOW the SALARY is going to be like Tony Tiger said…..
Now that we have a new tax, we will need a new Dept to administer the tax. Naturally we will be required to increase the tax to fund the increasing expenses and salaries associated with this Dept.
But look on the bright side! We all know that there is nothing quite as effective at increasing sales of any given item other than increasing it's price. Right? Kinda' like an ipod. The more they cost, the more they're in demand?
Now that we have a new tax, we will need a new Dept to administer the tax. Naturally we will be required to increase the tax to fund the increasing expenses and salaries associated with this Dept.
But look on the bright side! We all know that there is nothing quite as effective at increasing sales of any given item other than increasing it's price. Right? Kinda' like an ipod. The more they cost, the more they're in demand?
Now that we have a new tax, we will need a new Dept to administer the tax. Naturally we will be required to increase the tax to fund the increasing expenses and salaries associated with this Dept.
But look on the bright side! We all know that there is nothing quite as effective at increasing sales of any given item other than increasing it's price. Right? Kinda' like an ipod. The more they cost, the more they're in demand?
I'll stick to my artificial tree forever.
with you there
I'll stick to my artificial tree forever.
that tax is .20 cents
I'll stick to my artificial tree forever.
I'll stick to my artificial tree forever.
that tax is .20 cents
I'll stick to my artificial tree forever.
I don't claim to be a genius, but I did manage to get a business degree, and I seem to recall something from my Economics classes that demonstrated that when you raise the price of a good, the number of units sold will drop. Call this the Grinch Tax, and plaster that all over the news and internet!
But you learned that in an Economics Class.
Obummer studied Socialism, and missed out on learning facts,
This should be called the Grinch tax.
I'm buying a fake tree tomorrow. Tax, Tax Tax… I'm out. Gov't tries to kill another industry.
Is this tax paid by the growers or tree lots? Are unsold trees taxed?
Merry Christmas
Already have mine! No tax there!
Fake trees are sold with a sales tax……far more then 15 cents. The tax is paid by growers who sell 500 or more trees. Growers can pass on to lots, lots can pass on to consumers. U won't even notice the 15 cent tax with the price the lots raise them to anyway. Let's complain about something worth more than 15 CENTS!!
I'm buying a fake tree tomorrow. Tax, Tax Tax… I'm out. Gov't tries to kill another industry.
Is this tax paid by the growers or tree lots? Are unsold trees taxed?
Merry Christmas
I'm buying a fake tree tomorrow. Tax, Tax Tax… I'm out. Gov't tries to kill another industry.
Is this tax paid by the growers or tree lots? Are unsold trees taxed?
Merry Christmas
But the separation of church and state…
What does a decorative tree have to do with religion?
Are pine trees indigenous to the middle east?
Next up, easter candy tax – 15 cents on every chocolate bunny sold, with a Peeps subsidy for low-income families…
What does a decorative tree have to do with religion?
Are pine trees indigenous to the middle east?
Next up, easter candy tax – 15 cents on every chocolate bunny sold, with a Peeps subsidy for low-income families…
…only when they want separation of Church and State…
…only when they want separation of Church and State…
But the separation of church and state…
What does a decorative tree have to do with religion?
Are pine trees indigenous to the middle east?
Next up, easter candy tax – 15 cents on every chocolate bunny sold, with a Peeps subsidy for low-income families…
What does a decorative tree have to do with religion?
Are pine trees indigenous to the middle east?
Next up, easter candy tax – 15 cents on every chocolate bunny sold, with a Peeps subsidy for low-income families…
…only when they want separation of Church and State…
There is no separation of church and state. It's a myth. Don't bother looking it up, because you won't find it, which is the point!
There is no separation of church and state. It's a myth. Don't bother looking it up, because you won't find it, which is the point!
Is this what everything comes down to? I wonder how many bureaucrats we are having to pay to sit around and think this stuff up? I am though surprised that they haven't taken the Christ out of Christmas tree… wait a minute, do you suppose they wouldn't tax Holiday trees?
Is this what everything comes down to? I wonder how many bureaucrats we are having to pay to sit around and think this stuff up? I am though surprised that they haven't taken the Christ out of Christmas tree… wait a minute, do you suppose they wouldn't tax Holiday trees?
First! Oh by the way Obama doesn't need to put his administration behind Christmas. Christ already did that. Hence the name CHRISTmas. Not Obamamas or Governmas!
if it is christian in any way, you must get rid of it, seems to be the way of this administration. no prayer for our service men, world war too vets, cannot have the prayer given by a former president, for them. no christian ornaments on the national tree, we are not a christian nation, says he……we are a christian nation, we always have been, we always will be. now more then ever, we need to unite, and pray to get our country back, with a new christian president.
You have to be kidding me. This is pure lunacy. Another great example of government going where it doesn't belong – idiocy run amok. Like any industry, the Christmas tree industry ought to be able to stand on its own two feet, and with all the tree farms I've seen sprout up over the last couple of decades, I'd say there wasn't really a problem.
Do you believe this guy?!?!?!? Maybe you like paying taxes, if soooo vote for him again!!!!!!
You are correct – Christmas trees already have a great image. Hanukkah trees, Kwanzaa trees, and Eid ul-Fitr trees not so much. Them trees need promotin'.
…Wha- What the hell?! I don't think Christmas trees have a public relations problem. Another hit-job on a Christian holiday and American tradition. Gouge the taxpayers anyway you can! $0.15 sounds like a pittance, but this is obviously on top of other taxes. Ridiculous…
nice try conservatives. in fact, the Christmas Tree Checkoff Task Force that submitted this to the Dept of Agriculture are a board of Christmas Tree Producers. The intent is to reverse the trend of sales of artificial trees over natural trees. The money collected will be governed by a Board of the top 12 Christmas Tree Producing companies in order to better market natural trees over artificial.
A tax, oops, I mean a "fee" for Christmas trees eh? I thought they were not called Christmas trees anymore (obama's/atheist/dem preference)? So, if that's the case, we can just call them "holiday trees" and not pay the tax, oops, I mean the "fee"…. This administration is so disingenuous. A federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.. my foot! It is a tax plain and simple! Bah Humbug…
Is this money going to all those black farmers who claimed discrimination by the U.S.D.A.? The so called Pigford 2 where all the blacks that missed out on Pigford vs. Glickman 1 billion dollar payoffs could get in on another 1.25 billion dollars in payoffs. All those farmers whose numbers are rather questionable as to how many were actually real farmers and how many are fraudulent.
Refusal to pay on Freedom of Religion grounds?
christmas is a pagan holiday. make it $100
Really? You're complaining about 15 cents per tree and citing unemployment and the economy? I very much doubt that extra 15 cents is going to net someone the ability to grow our economy any faster than it already is. I can't believe you guys are wasting your time on something so minimal like this – when there are so many more important issues going on around the world than a measly 15 cents.
The whole regime must go. A complete mad tyrannical group. This is enough, they must be stopped.
This is insane. If the growers or sellers of Christmas trees want to advertise, they can. They don't need a Federal board to "promote" the industry. In fact, I don't think it is the Federal government's job to promote any particular industry, so the Commodity Promotion etc. Act ought to be repealed. I guess some may be glad that the board is called the "Christmas Tree" promotion board, and not "Holiday Tree" whatever. But that is hardly a valid reason for implementing this.
Just another sign that the Apocalypse is upon us.
OMG. Spending money just to spend money! I think the vast majority of Amercans have a favourable view of the Christmas Tree industry. The Eco nutjobs maybe do not, but do we really have to raise taxes to spend money on this ridiculous program?
"And, by the way, the American Christmas tree has a great image that doesn’t need any help from the government."
Exactly.
Another worthless fee to pay for yet a new "committee" which Christmas Tree Sellers could
care less since they have their own organizations to promote themselves – so what is next?
A papertowel fee for promotion of paper towel sellers? A candle tax to pay for a committee to
help promote candle use? What a worthless administration.
this article reads like one from The Onion… are you kidding me? a christmas tree tax?
He promised no new taxes on anybody that doesn't make $250k a year, I can show him my pay check and prove I don't make that.
I…I mean…..how could……wow, just wow.
No tree for us, government takes enough of my money already.
Is there no limit to their lunacy?
obama=Grinch
I guess a lot of Xmas tree sellers will be selling only 499 trees this season.
Looks like it will be a great year to buy an artificial tree!
This has to be a joke – no one can be this stupid
all Bush's Fault, Tax our Air B.O
This ads a whole new meaning to being "nickel and dimed" to death.
The next thing Obama will tax is the bed you sleep in, to improve the image and marketing of BEDS.
Scrooge would be proud! Bah Humbug!
I have two artificial trees that should last me the rest of my life. At least I have one thing Obama cannot tax.
David, this tax was not "imposed" on anyone today. Tree producers and importers moving more than 500 trees annually will vote in a referendum, and the tax will only be implemented if a majority agree it is a good idea. See the relevant text from the Federal Register below. This is only a "proposed rule."
"The program would be implemented or continued if approved by a simple majority of the eligible domestic producers and importers voting in the referendum."
I'd give 15 pennies to reclaim the minute I wasted reading this article.
They use to nickle and dime me. Now its 15 cents. Crooks. This government must be stopped. Vote the Dems out!
Well, fifteen cents is "nickel and dime". They got you for both!
Tax Tax Tax that is all he knows how to do other than light money on fire.
Tax Tax Tax that is all he knows how to do other than light money on fire.
Yet another useless expansion of govt under the democrats.
Is this a joke or something?
Is this a joke or something?
Is this a joke or something?
Sadly, I don't think so. I think it's part of obama's 'Jobs Bill'. BUT Hey! There's a bright side. You can get a full refund of the tax if you decorate your tree with Mao Zedong ornaments and give the book "Rules for Radicals" to friends and family. Merry X-mas.
Is this a joke or something?
what B.S. !!!
what B.S. !!!
ok this is a messed up tax
ok this is a messed up tax
This is INSANITY, and while we're at it, isn't this bunch of nitwits the same ilk who renamed such trees "Holiday Trees". Can't offend the pagans and muslims!
Good point. Wonder if hte tax applies to said 'holiday' trees, also.
Good point. Wonder if hte tax applies to said 'holiday' trees, also.
This sums it up quite nicely! "The economy is barely growing and nine percent of the American people have no jobs. Is a new tax on Christmas trees the best President Obama can do?" Sadly yes, yes it is.
Fascism. Look at it.
The economy is barely growing and nine percent of the American people have no jobs. Is a new tax on Christmas trees the best President Obama can do? HAHAHAHAHH
This is government out of control. We need to form a committee on Christmas trees. It's a sad day in America.
Jerk!
How totally absurd and completely unecessary. Nevertheless it is useless government interference at it's best…
Oh boy!! another government agency, just what we need. Sure it's not a tax@#%$&*
This is a spoof column, right? Like The Onion?
Thats what I thought! But nope, it appears to be true? Anyway, even the Onion's writers aren't good enough to make this kind of stuff up, only a liberal government is so comically creative.
Thats what I thought! But nope, it appears to be true? Anyway, even the Onion's writers aren't good enough to make this kind of stuff up, only a liberal government is so comically creative.
Thats what I thought! But nope, it appears to be true? Anyway, even the Onion's writers aren't good enough to make this kind of stuff up, only a liberal government is so comically creative.
To quote General Halftrack: "What now?"
This is a spoof column, right? Like The Onion?
This is a spoof column, right? Like The Onion?
This is almost as good as tax on breathing! They are crazy mad !
Oh goodness. Now the federal government is taking the role of industry advocate. The funny thing is that Christmas tree growers have no say-so in the decision. It's "we're going to help you promote your business. And we'll be taking money from you to do so. But trust us – we know what we're doing."
I just hope and pray that the government doesn't decide to "help" my industry.
I hope they don't "help" your industry either.
I am a Real Estate Broker and look what happened to my industry (and the whole economy) when the gov't decided to "make us a nation of homeowners" and "make housing affordable to all Americans".
What do you bet the Christmas tree growers asked for this? Seriously. Where do you think these things come from?
What do you bet the Christmas tree growers asked for this? Seriously. Where do you think these things come from?
What do you bet the Christmas tree growers asked for this? Seriously. Where do you think these things come from?
Oh goodness. Now the federal government is taking the role of industry advocate. The funny thing is that Christmas tree growers have no say-so in the decision. It's "we're going to help you promote your business. And we'll be taking money from you to do so. But trust us – we know what we're doing."
I just hope and pray that the government doesn't decide to "help" my industry.
Oh goodness. Now the federal government is taking the role of industry advocate. The funny thing is that Christmas tree growers have no say-so in the decision. It's "we're going to help you promote your business. And we'll be taking money from you to do so. But trust us – we know what we're doing."
I just hope and pray that the government doesn't decide to "help" my industry.
Oh goodness. Now the federal government is taking the role of industry advocate. The funny thing is that Christmas tree growers have no say-so in the decision. It's "we're going to help you promote your business. And we'll be taking money from you to do so. But trust us – we know what we're doing."
I just hope and pray that the government doesn't decide to "help" my industry.
OMG This is Very Rediculous !!! How Stupid is this?? Lord, we are being taken til no one has Anything left… God Help us…
My head…just exploded.
My head…just exploded.
Like the patriots of the late 1700's, I'm throwing my christmas tree in Boston Harbor
Wow, Talk about the Obama that stole Christmas!!!
I don't get it. Is there something wrong with the "image" of Christmas trees? Why do we need a new bureaucracy to oversee it along wi th a new tax on trees to pay for it?
I don't get it. Is there something wrong with the "image" of Christmas trees? Why do we need a new bureaucracy to oversee it along wi th a new tax on trees to pay for it?
I don't get it. Is there something wrong with the "image" of Christmas trees? Why do we need a new bureaucracy to oversee it along wi th a new tax on trees to pay for it?
Its not the image per se its the idea that they don't want it called Christmas tree any more. the marketing will be to call it a holiday tree. and to tax christians for their traditions!
I'm glad I'm not poor enough to care about a 15 cent increase in a product I buy once a year
I agree, if all of the people that are complaining about 15 cent, they should just buy an artifical tree
or decorate one in the yard…. where is your spirit of Christmas, quit complaining.
Nate – for heaven's sake, it isn't just the "15 cents"!! It is the disdain for an Administration which, after it has thrown away taxpayer money (think Sylantra) and stimulus money (part of which is unaccounted for) at a time when this country is truly hurting, to turn around and create a Federal program to promote and oversee the purchasing of Christmas trees in order to establish a new department which will obviously be staffed with friends (relations?) who will receive salaries twice the size of a comparable private job. No one is concerned with the 15 cents – it is the audacity of this President who thumbs his nose at our Constitution, by-passes our Congress, and takes us into a war. It is NOT the 15 cents – it is his audacity and impudence as regards American citizens!!
It is the principle behind the action.
Also, when you create a new government agency –you create a money sucking black hole.
Amen Clem. I know how to acquire a Christmas Tree without gov't meddling and interference. Everybody is welcome to do the same and avoid ignoramous like rules an regs like this. Obama – you are a mule – a.k.a. a_s_s
He wants the trees to be called Holiday Trees. so Just buy a Holiday tree not a Christmas tree. problem solved. that no good sob is on his way out thank God.
You are kidding me; lets encourage people to buy Christmas trees by taxing them and thereby raising the price. You can't make this stuff up. way to go OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL Que ?
There is one other thing that the Obama administration is taxing: our patience.
Give me a break. There are much better things Obama could be doing…oh, wait a minute, maybe we want him distracted, making new 15 cents taxes, instead of destroying more of the economy! Get we just please get this guy out of office? He doesn't know what to do.
Please let me know when using the toilet will be taxed!
We no longer need a Congress. Obama is legislating through his bureaucratic armies. More un-Constitutional Obama regime actions.
Just what we need: another tax and to have the government take care of promoting an image. Something they are SO good at! (not). How about "Kill a tree for baby Jesus." ? Hey, maybe I should get a government job! lol
Wow… this administration has gone to new lows…This along with Michelle not wanting an ornament for the WH tree to have anything to do with Christmas… Can anyone else read between the lines?
thats incredibly ridiculous, so what are they going to to "spruce" up the christmas tree image? honestly, I am interested in what these morons can do. thanks for ruining christmas with more bureaucratic B.S.
this can't be real
I thought we weren't allowed to call it Christmas anymore. Is the ACLU going to sue the Department of Agriculture for promoting a symbol of a Christian holiday? And what the #&)! business is it of the federal government to be worried about the image of the Christmas tree? Shouldn't that be the Christmas tree industry's job? I think our government is a bit too big when we can spend time, energy and new taxes on Christmas tree promotion. I agree with the author: "the American Christmas tree has a great image that doesn’t need any help from the government."
I thought we weren't allowed to call it Christmas anymore. Is the ACLU going to sue the Department of Agriculture for promoting a symbol of a Christian holiday? And what the #&)! business is it of the federal government to be worried about the image of the Christmas tree? Shouldn't that be the Christmas tree industry's job? I think our government is a bit too big when we can spend time, energy and new taxes on Christmas tree promotion. I agree with the author: "the American Christmas tree has a great image that doesn’t need any help from the government."
God help us.
Next week, Pres. Obama will announce the Federal Puppies and Kittens Image Improvement Board.
You a world-shaker, Barry!
Mr. Addington is correct. It is a tax. Pay it whether you want the governments help or not. I thought Obama had finally come around and decided not to grow the size of government, but here we go again adding to it. Why can't those christmas tree growers who want to form their own private organization, impose dues and promote themselves? Oh. I know, because those that didn't join might benefit from their efforts. So, let Uncle Sam put a gun to their heads and make them pay, (and us).
I've got an idea. We'll get the Dept. of Commerce to back our program to promote, educate, and research
the use of artificial trees, that last up to 25 times longer that fresh trees, can be recycled, are not fire hazards and our fee will be $1.00 a tree. We'll set off a christmas tree race. Then, Dr. Strangelove will tell us about the Doomsday Xmas Tree and soon we'll all be obliterated.
Am I reading The Onion? Or is this serious stuff? Good grief, when will these guys stop already?
How can the Federal Government impose a tax on a local transaction?
THAT's how to demonstrate executive powers.
Pure insanity. Just another way to sneak in a new tax…
Pure insanity. Just another way to sneak in a new tax…
Tell me this is a hoax.
Please.
Welcome to the insane world of liberalism.
Do we really need a government program to promote and improve the image of the Christmas tree?
Wow. Just wow.
Disgusting. Depressing. Out of control. It is 15 cents today. It will be $15 tomorrow. The state is drunk with power.
You don't tax something that you want more of.
Try explaining that to a bureaucrap.
These socialists are truely amazing. They think by increasing the price of a good or service, that they, being the supreme elite, while actually improve the industry. Fix the US Post Office, then you can meddle in the Christmas Tree industry.
Given the religious basis for the Christmas holiday, doesn't this kinda violate the establishment Clause of the US Constitution? "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
After all, would the federal government levy a tax to "improve the image and marketing" of, say, Menorahs?
Ignorance of the most basic of our laws combined with a hunger for taxation and interference in commerce mark an overreach consistent with the current administration.
If Obama wants to promote the Christmas tree industry then remove all taxes from the sale of the trees.
So, I estimate that is $15,000,000 in new tax. $1,000,000 to handle the accounting, $2,000,000 in govt people to manage the money. Figure business will have to adjust and mark up the tax (it is a cost), it is now $17mm to the consumer in extra cost. Spend the $15mm with insiders who charge 20% to 30% profit on top of the vendors who have 15% to 30% markup on the media. So, the net effect of media is around half but cost consumers $17mm. A Keynesian "gap" of $10mm. Where does the $10mm go? And why do we market based upon consumption. You market based on the goal of changing the minds of people. Are we trying to sell Christmas trees to Jews? These trees get pretty high market share. Like adding a tax to sell iPhones to Apple iPad owners. Wow.
You can't make up stuff like this! They have absolutely no business promoting Christmas trees and taxing me to do so. The insanity of an ever bloated government trying to run and subsequently mucking up everything it touches must stop. We need to vote only for people who will promise us less government.
Great news! Promoting the image of Christmas Trees!
Because they've got such a bad public image . . .
Deceptions at first were amusing, like in public relations. But they seem to have evolved in government to the point that the reason for doing everything is deceptive. This will evolve to the point where those in power will not even know why their heads will roll. Its a well repeated cycle for those who enter this path. Let it continue, and get it over with.
Because no one knows what a Christmas tree is, I guess Obama sees the need for this new board and expanding the federal government
I have no words. Just abject disgust for this administration. Nothing is sacred.
Literally every day our government becomes more and more fascist. Just wait until they start banning useful materials, like hemp. Oh wait a sec….
Am I the only one who is smelling a coup d'etat?
xmas trees? whos going to pay for improving the image and marketing of menorahs?
This is the foot in the door. If ignored by the public, for sure it will increase with each passing year. Planting a tax seedling.
The new tax wont cover the 3000 people the new Xmas tree committee hires at 100k a year…. but at least we can get the jobless rate down… .000002%
Communism at its best. Next we will be taxed to just celebrate Christmas
Communism at its best. Next we will be taxed to just celebrate Christmas
How about a $45 tax on Kwanza candles?
You wanted jobs to be created didn't you? Well, here's some! So they're unproductive, government jobs that pull more money out of the economy…nothing's perfect.
This is not what government should be doing. What does the Obama administration know about business or even care about a Christian tradition? Further, promote an industry that (God forbid) kills innocent trees? This is a farce, and absolutely represents the insanity of liberalism and government over regulation. Maybe at Easter, the idiot in charge will up a tax on bunnies that lay Easter eggs to promote the dairy/egg industry.
Dumb dumb dumb! Instigate a new tax and punish an industry all in the myth that some left-wing government bureaucrat should anoint himself as some Christmas tree marketing czar. Like many a Christmas tree, the "masterminds" behind this idea seem to have a few dim bulbs.
Isn’t this just a tax on Christians? This is must be a hoax.
Wait we are going to tax "Christmas" trees?? Shouldn't we be taxing "Holiday Season" Trees since "Christmas" trees might upset the PC non-believers.. Maybe only Christians will have to pay the tax!!
Before you think this is a joke, there are 25-30 million Christmas trees sold in the US each year. That's almost a 4 MILLION dollar tax on Americans for ONE PROGRAM desinged to make us buy MORE Christmas trees. How many MORE Christmas trees will YOU buy this year? One for each room? If the image gets a lot better I might even put one in my Bathroom? Just another idiot in Government thinking they know better than the rest of us.
Tanning salon tax, Christmas tree tax, is anyone starting to see a pattern here…lets see if we can guess what is next? Perhaps a tax on straight weddings and maybe a tax if you choose to deliver your child instead of aborting it?
If a mere 15 cents will help Christmas Tree farmers expand their market place and promotion of fresh trees I am all for it. Fresh trees are actually a renewable product, gives people jobs rather than artificiail trees that often end up in landfills. Most of these folk sound like Scrooge. This program can actually help tree farmers and mom and pop operations that you see all around town selling trees.
What's next, Easter eggs, punkins, the US Flag?
Not really surprising the Obama thinks that Christmas needes a bureau to educate the masses on what Christmas is and put a tax on Christmas tree tax on all newly cut trees. Maybe he can send a delegation to Kenya to see if they would be interested in such a program. This is a tax, no matter what Obama wants to call it. The most brilliant man in the world thinks that we poor peons don't know how to buy, put up or decorate a tree without Big Brother looking over our shoulder. With the M.E. getting ready to go boom and the Eurozone going bankrupt, this is the kind of trivial crap that Obama and his group of fawning synchophants come up with. 2012 and election day can get here soon enough!
When will he (small h) tax or require a license for CHRISTMAS trees and nativity scenes on private property?
How long will it remain "just 15 cents"?
I'm not sure what else to say other than…. Are you F'ing serious???
I thought that the Congress was where the taxing authority lay – apparently the Executive branch picked up some new powers?
Article I, Section 8, Clause 1:
The Congress shall have power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises…but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States…
Silly me – I forgot – the Constitution doesn't mean anything to this regime.
I have a sneaky feeling the government is not really going to be improving the image or marketing of Christmas trees. I believe the real motive behind this is for the government to completely secularize Christmas and every image dealing with Christmas. If you look at the government's history you'll find that whenever they get involved in anything the true meaning, values, and tradition of whatever it happens to be are lost and forgotten. This is just another way to get all of us sheeple to believe that our rights, traditions, and values come from government and not God.
Not gonna work for me! I love Jesus!!
I have a sneaky feeling the government is not really going to be improving the image or marketing of Christmas trees. I believe the real motive behind this is for the government to completely secularize Christmas and every image dealing with Christmas. If you look at the government's history you'll find that whenever they get involved in anything the true meaning, values, and tradition of whatever it happens to be are lost and forgotten. This is just another way to get all of us sheeple to believe that our rights, traditions, and values come from government and not God.
I have a sneaky feeling the government is not really going to be improving the image or marketing of Christmas trees. I believe the real motive behind this is for the government to completely secularize Christmas and every image dealing with Christmas. If you look at the government's history you'll find that whenever they get involved in anything the true meaning, values, and tradition of whatever it happens to be are lost and forgotten. This is just another way to get all of us sheeple to believe that our rights, traditions, and values come from government and not God.
A whole new big government board, and a tax to pay for it! This is why taxing anyone more to pay for anything will never work, it is always used to expand never pay for something that is.
Only Congress has the authority to levy tax. Anything else is unconstitutional.
congress needs to work on their budget. they have never passed one. we need term limits.
Government needs to remove itself from private enterprise — not insinuate itself into every and any little thing that worked just fine through the ages up until now. In this case, Obama has dressed us all with more regulations which we don't need amid our tinsel and ornaments. I'd rather deal with harangues by charities at the doors of the supermarket than have to put up with this stuffed-shirt screwball that has to re-invent the wheel at every turn. Merry Christmas, Barry — I already gave at the office!
Only Congress has the authority to levy tax. Anything else is unconstitutional.
I'm not going to buy a tree then. Principle of the matter.
I live in upstate New York whre alot of Xmas trees are grown. This is a stupid TAX. We don't need the federal goverment intruding in our lives. This new tax will be a minus to the Xmas tree industry! Maybe the best thing would be to have Mr. Shipman sit on the top of one of our scotch pine trees. He could replace
the traditional star and promote the Christmas tree industry from there!
Is this joke? hahaha…very funny
Maybe I should start a black market Christmas Tree business
Maybe I should start a black market Christmas Tree business
A federal agency to promote Christmas trees? We need that? Maybe its his way of fooling people into believing he's not muslim.
A tax invented by an agency….
I thought all taxes had to originate in the House. That's why they're not calling it a tax.
This is one stupid man…. he doesn't even know that there are NO Christmas Trees andymore. Tax the Christmas trees all you want to. There are only HOLIDAY TREES…. ;-) Now I wonder how that would play out in the Dept of Ag… hehehe
What happened to seperation of church and state??? They are quick to beat that drum until they can find a way to tax the church. How about a tax on islam rugs?
I sense a loophole here. "No sir, Mr Revenuer sir, this ain't no Christmas tree. This is a holiday tree! Text of the dictatorial decree does not mention holiday trees!"
A Christmas Tree Promotion Board? Seriously? What a Useless waste of time and money!
Government at it's poorest. Obama should be embarrased.
Next week, Pres. Obama will announce the Federal Puppies and Kittens Image Improvement Board.
OBAMA'S platform was–CHANGE–yours!
Taxation without Representation.
This article is copied from The Oniion, right?
Only the Congress has the authority to establish taxes, not the president.
Be afraid, people — this is only a test to see how far they can push us.
If he is going to tax Christmas trees, that's great! But at least put the money to good use!
Among the other egregious aspects of this stunt, it is a backhanded way to say the Christmas tree has no religious significance–not even as a symbol. So the government will take the position that its promotion of sales of Christmas trees is not in violation of the 1st Amendment establishment of religion clause, and hope it gets a chance to have a court endorse that position. One might conclude that this is a flip-flop from other cases where the government bans crosses, nativity scenes and the like from public property–but it's no flip-flop–it's just an attack on Christianity from the opposite direction–saying one of the key symbols of the season is purely secular.
Hey, how about a special excise tax on prayer rugs, HusseinO? That wouldn't offend any of your friends, would it?
Who proposed this idea, and why do they still have a government job? Second, who approved this, and why do they still have a government job?
Obama is the Burger Meister, Meister Burger incarnate. What an outrage! I say we make a burn pile of the trees! After all, Christmas is in the heart not in a stand in your living room. Is this the new Marketing and Image police in Christmas? This all about reshaping the meaning of Christmas. It won't work!!!!!
He'll probably insure the new name will be Holiday Tree! It will be made of plastic and have a can of evergreen spray to accompany the rotten smell that Obama exudes.
Way to use that religious holiday, Mr. Pres. Or should I say Scrooge.
Way to use that religious holiday, Mr. Pres. Or should I say Scrooge.
We can't even afford a real tree. We put up an artificial tree every year. :(
Baaaa! Humbug! Tiny (Tax Dodging) Tim and all his little Morleys at the IRS will be all over this…They can keep the tree and I'll keep the tax.
Lets see, if every household in the country buys a Christmas tree from a group selling 500 or more trees, then 120 million households times 15 cents is $18 million. They'll spend $20 million writing, enforcing and collecting this tax. So, they'll borrow $25 million or so to fund the new department of Christmas tree promotion. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
Oh the PC government is at it again. They've spent the better part of the last decade telling everyone Christmas is offensive and that we should all be saying "holiday" so as not to offend anyone. I guess since no one bothered to listen they just decided to throw a tax on the trees so now we have to pay to keep our traditions. Government doesn't like it when the sheeple are disobedient. BTW in case anyone didn't know the word "holiday" is a derivative of the words "holy day". So the next time an atheist or liberal says we should say holiday instead of Christmas remind them that by saying holiday they are advocating that the government violate their oh so precious "seperation of church and state" doctrine.
What a Scrooge — really how under the purview of the regulation of Interstate Commerce does the Federal government think taxing Christmas trees make any sense???
why just Fresh trees? Isn't it patently discriminatory against artificial tress to not tax them too?
Ba-humbug! I fail to see how this levy is vital to the welfare of the Christmas Tree industry and in the interest of the national public.
Promotion, research and marketing is already being undertaken by the National Christmas Tree Association on a national scale. This includes the selection and procurement of the White House Christmas Tree and promoting and organizing Trees for Troops. It also includes lobbying activities, oddly enough.
The downward trend in tree purchases starting in 2008 is perhaps less tied to disinterest than it is to the general state of our economy.
Really getting fed up of all this crap.
This has to be a joke . . . right? Right?!
Does this entail the establishment of a religion? Or, as he would say, the establishment of worship?
Does this entail the establishment of a religion? Or, as he would say, the establishment of worship?
just call it a hannukah tree and voila no tax!
Maybe he should pass a law saying we all MUST buy Christmas trees. We all have to buy health insurance under his stupid plan. Same idiot thinking. I don't want a tree, and I don't want the government telling me I "have" to buy anything. America used to be the home of the "free and the brave" now it's "Hope and chains"…Welcome to Russia, Comrade!!….
Another win for Obama. Now, when he leaves office next year, he can say he accomplished something all by himself. I mean other than destroying the economy and demoralizing the nation.
Another win for Obama. Now, when he leaves office next year, he can say he accomplished something all by himself. I mean other than destroying the economy and demoralizing the nation.
I wonder if the messiah will impose a tax on other religion's symbols of their holidays. What a jerk.
I wonder if the messiah will impose a tax on other religion's symbols of their holidays. What a jerk.
I wonder if the messiah will impose a tax on other religion's symbols of their holidays. What a jerk.
Yes, this discrimination against the Christian faith. Why not tax Menorahs? Of Korans? Or Festivus poles?
Wait…so he's going to promote (subsidize) Christmas trees through promotion/marketing by taxing Christmas trees?
So we'll have less Christmas trees sold but he's going to try to get us to want them more?
WTF?
Wait…so he's going to promote (subsidize) Christmas trees through promotion/marketing by taxing Christmas trees?
So we'll have less Christmas trees sold but he's going to try to get us to want them more?
WTF?
What's Charlie Brown gonna do now?
What's Charlie Brown gonna do now?
……..to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
If you voted for Obama, you're to blame. You can't make this stuff up.
……..to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
If you voted for Obama, you're to blame. You can't make this stuff up.
……..to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
If you voted for Obama, you're to blame. You can't make this stuff up.
……..to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
If you voted for Obama, you're to blame. You can't make this stuff up.
Seriously, if it wasn't for the politicians, the Christmas Tree wouldn't need an image makeover. Stupid Holiday Tree!
Seriously, if it wasn't for the politicians, the Christmas Tree wouldn't need an image makeover. Stupid Holiday Tree!
Seriously, if it wasn't for the politicians, the Christmas Tree wouldn't need an image makeover. Stupid Holiday Tree!
My comments didn't make it on, so I will just have to say buy your holiday trees from Lowes, that will show them – and refuse to pay 15 cents of the cost of any Christmas Tree… hehehe
My comments didn't make it on, so I will just have to say buy your holiday trees from Lowes, that will show them – and refuse to pay 15 cents of the cost of any Christmas Tree… hehehe
The Grinch would be proud!
The Grinch would be proud!
The Grinch would be proud!
Huh? I thought they were "Holiday Trees"???!!!???!?!?!?
Whaaa????
Whaaa????
You sure do make up a lot of stuff that isn't true. http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=e…
There is no such law.
And if there was, it would have been promulgated by Congress.
"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas tree…..the Lord Obama is there for me!"
"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas tree…..the Lord Obama is there for me!"
This is old news. The initial ruling came out Nov. 8, 2010 (not 2011), according to the register, and the final ruling came down in July:
http://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0581-A…
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-11-08/pdf/20…
At least they called it a "Christmas" tree program.
At least they called it a "Christmas" tree program.
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's
hmm.. separation of church and state..
Wrong…they will lose the first 12 cents in the collection process, then spend 20 cents on administration.
Wrong…they will lose the first 12 cents in the collection process, then spend 20 cents on administration.
Wrong…they will lose the first 12 cents in the collection process, then spend 20 cents on administration.
Improve the IMAGE of a Christmas tree. Improve ILLUSION of a president. Hey, were we made in Obama's image?
Improve the IMAGE of a Christmas tree. Improve ILLUSION of a president. Hey, were we made in Obama's image?
Improve the IMAGE of a Christmas tree. Improve ILLUSION of a president. Hey, were we made in Obama's image?
Improve the IMAGE of a Christmas tree. Improve ILLUSION of a president. Hey, were we made in Obama's image?
Improve the IMAGE of a Christmas tree. Improve ILLUSION of a president. Hey, were we made in Obama's image?
My how the hope n change mood has altered. And nobody seems to want to put an Obummer bumper sticker on their car this time around. This is to much fun.
Well there you go! a handful of new jobs created by Obama. Of course you will need about 10 taxpaying workers in the private sector to support each of these new hires but who cares about those guys.
i cant tell if this is real or just an onion article lol- it seems like something obama would do though
Wonder if the ACLU will sue to block this marketing as Christmas trees with government funds as a violation of the St. Establishment Clause…………….
he wont be able to do this. He is taxing only one religious sector. He wont get it through!
Obama's a joke, right?
I'd suggest every tree seller set their prices at $XX.15 and explain the weird pricing. That extra $.15 is to so that Obama can tell you how wonderful Christmas trees are. A handy copy of the regulation attached to the receipt would be a nice bonus, too.
This charge is no different than the $1 transaction fee on beef cattle sales used to promote "Beef It's What's For Dinner,:" The Christmas Tree guys voted to impose this "checkoff" on themselves in order to get people away from artificial trees. You guys don't get it. Probably never will
Buy an artificial one. No watering. Safe.
Cheat this schumck out of that 15 cents.
Just finished reading Ron Paul's "Liberty Defined", and then this article comes out. I am sick to my stomach. Our entire government is in shambles, on all sides, all parties. The people must rise and take over.
30 million fresh trees sold each Christmas, do the math!
only 15 cents? Wow Obama you are really slacking here….Why don't you and a few of your buddies start an artificial Christmas tree company and then impose a $20 tax on FRESH Christmas trees. You could get more people to switch man. You are as dumb as you look. Pay 15 cents more to the Feds…you are kidding me right? Obama I will be buying my first artificial tree this year and I'll use it until you are out of office and the wallets of every working person in America that is left. 15 cents….everyone in America needs to NOT buy a fresh tree this year and show Obama just who has the POWER.
You pay the tax even if you are buying the tree from the Boy scouts or the lions clubs. Inever seen a for profit non charitable tree sale ?
I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS, JUST LIKE THE ONES I USED TO KNOW———–NO OBAMA
Among the other egregious aspects of this stunt, it is a backhanded way to say the Christmas tree has no religious significance–not even as a symbol. So the government will take the position that its promotion of sales of Christmas trees is not in violation of the 1st Amendment establishment of religion clause, and hope it gets a chance to have a court endorse that position. One might conclude that this is a flip-flop from other cases where the government bans crosses, nativity scenes and the like from public property–but it's no flip-flop–it's just an attack on Christianity from the opposite direction–saying one of the key symbols of the season is purely secular.
Who will be the Chistmas tree czar? Michael Moore would be a good fit.
gimmeafreakinbreak. C'mon man. Knock it off! Enough taxes and enough beaurocracy!!!
As one of the folks here said, 'You just can't make this stuff up!' What are they gonna start tax'n next…the air we breath?!!!
a tax to enhance the image of the christmas tree industry….you know…i'm getting really tired of being taxed to death for so called programs that have no real purpose. NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!
Finally, a solid idea to solve the debt/deficit crisis. So now then, how do we assure the sale of 100 trillion X-mas trees?
I want to cry.
Separation of Church and State? Last I heard Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. And the tree represents the storey that all the plants bloomed at his birth. There is a religious connection here for Christians.
Workers all over America work their butts off . . . and only to have these AHs develop programs like this.
Perhaps the Occupiers should 'occupy' the White House during the traditional 'lighting of the tree'.
I'm sure this new tax will clean up the National Debt.
You would think SOMEONE in the administration would realize that they have a serious PR problem which is proven by the disastrous poll numbers – and try to address it. Instead of doing things like taxing Christmas trees and making it worse.
I know where they got the idea. It reminded me of the movie "Dave," where the Department of the Interior guy had to defend spending money on a program that would try and make people happier about a car they already owned. Life imitating a hollyweird script.
I know where they got the idea. It reminded me of the movie "Dave," where the Department of the Interior guy had to defend spending money on a program that would try and make people happier about a car they already owned. Life imitating a hollyweird script.
Aren't these already happening? I see commercials telling me my Ford Fusion has the highest resale value over Toyota or Honda, andi can't help but wonder if this really is the case.
I know where they got the idea. It reminded me of the movie "Dave," where the Department of the Interior guy had to defend spending money on a program that would try and make people happier about a car they already owned. Life imitating a hollyweird script.
I know where they got the idea. It reminded me of the movie "Dave," where the Department of the Interior guy had to defend spending money on a program that would try and make people happier about a car they already owned. Life imitating a hollyweird script.
This is the best this administration can do? When will this end?
This is the best this administration can do? When will this end?
This will result in such a stunning success, that the next year's tax will be $1.50, to have even more of the stunning success. This is clearly an election maker.
This will result in such a stunning success, that the next year's tax will be $1.50, to have even more of the stunning success. This is clearly an election maker.
This creates jobs? I thought he was focusing like a laser on the three letter word: Jobs.
This creates jobs? I thought he was focusing like a laser on the three letter word: Jobs.
If we're going to tax Christmas trees, why not tax the purchase of menorah's and kinara's. She should tax Turkeys for Thanksgiving, but only Butterballs.
If we're going to tax Christmas trees, why not tax the purchase of menorah's and kinara's. She should tax Turkeys for Thanksgiving, but only Butterballs.
If we're going to tax Christmas trees, why not tax the purchase of menorah's and kinara's. She should tax Turkeys for Thanksgiving, but only Butterballs.
President Obama's Agr Dept? Since when the president is responsible for things like this? This article smells like GOP's propaganda
President Obama's Agr Dept? Since when the president is responsible for things like this? This article smells like GOP's propaganda
President Obama's Agr Dept? Since when the president is responsible for things like this? This article smells like GOP's propaganda
If the monies generated were going to support a program that might be otherwise axed, like medical care for children or public libraries, we'd all be delighted to pay an extra dollar per tree. But spending another fifteen cents to promote something that we're doing anyway is dumb, and smacks of pork barrel interests.
If the monies generated were going to support a program that might be otherwise axed, like medical care for children or public libraries, we'd all be delighted to pay an extra dollar per tree. But spending another fifteen cents to promote something that we're doing anyway is dumb, and smacks of pork barrel interests.
If the monies generated were going to support a program that might be otherwise axed, like medical care for children or public libraries, we'd all be delighted to pay an extra dollar per tree. But spending another fifteen cents to promote something that we're doing anyway is dumb, and smacks of pork barrel interests.
Seriously?
Seriously?
Seriously?
well, the left and the media say everything has to be regulated by government bureaucracies to insure safety and protect the customer, so you get what you deserve. Conservatives warned you about creeping socialism and you all laughed and told us to shut up.
well, the left and the media say everything has to be regulated by government bureaucracies to insure safety and protect the customer, so you get what you deserve. Conservatives warned you about creeping socialism and you all laughed and told us to shut up.
well, the left and the media say everything has to be regulated by government bureaucracies to insure safety and protect the customer, so you get what you deserve. Conservatives warned you about creeping socialism and you all laughed and told us to shut up.
well, the left and the media say everything has to be regulated by government bureaucracies to insure safety and protect the customer, so you get what you deserve. Conservatives warned you about creeping socialism and you all laughed and told us to shut up.
well, the left and the media say everything has to be regulated by government bureaucracies to insure safety and protect the customer, so you get what you deserve. Conservatives warned you about creeping socialism and you all laughed and told us to shut up.
Teachable Moment #283. This year it's 15 cents. Next year it's 50 cents and before you know it it is five dollars. That's how it works in government. By the way don't they call Christmas trees holiday trees?
Who usually buys live Christmas trees? The people who live in apartments and don't have storage to put away the artificial ones. Not millionaires and billionaires, Obama. You're sticking it to the wrong people. Taxes usually DO hurt those lower down on the economic totem pole. Anyone else realize this?
Wait! He means "Holiday" Tree Tax, right?
Wait! He means "Holiday" Tree Tax, right?
Surly this is a joke……a tax to "promote" the Christmas Tree industry.
Why not impose a tax to promote Hanukkah Manoras…..or a tax on all candy canes to promote the candy industry….or just add a tax on all goods sold in America to promote whatever industry that needs helped.
Not for sure when our government go into the business of taxing to "promote" what ever industry we chose…
A tax is not a tax when it is called a fee. And, from what I've observed, Congress, the Administration, and government agencies haven't seen a fee they didn't like.
Idiots.
Idiots.
What I'd like to see would be a "Deposit" on XMas trees like on bottles.
You always see them out by the curb or dumped in alleys , etc.
With a deposit people would turn them in and get some $$$!
Idiots.
Idiots.
Idiots.
What happened to congress imposing all taxes? Is this guy just making it up as he goes?
What happened to congress imposing all taxes? Is this guy just making it up as he goes?
What happened to congress imposing all taxes? Is this guy just making it up as he goes?
Seriously? Dear Mr. President, please keep your hands off my Christmas tree. You aren't helping anything, you look like a fool, and I don't want to think about you on Christmas.
Seriously? Dear Mr. President, please keep your hands off my Christmas tree. You aren't helping anything, you look like a fool, and I don't want to think about you on Christmas.
Seriously? Dear Mr. President, please keep your hands off my Christmas tree. You aren't helping anything, you look like a fool, and I don't want to think about you on Christmas.
This man truly is politically tone deaf. So this is to promote the Christmas tree industry? They have a trade organization for that. This is thinly veiled subterfuge for fleecing the American people to feed the Washington money junkies. Fortunately, this is so transparent and ill-timed that even Dems are bound to mock it.
Looks like a tax on religion, to me.
Looks like a tax on religion, to me.
Looks like a tax on religion, to me.
What's next? The restroom tax?
What's next? The restroom tax?
Yeah, so he can say he's helping the environment, I guess. Next year he can implement the "15 cents per foot" tax.
Wondering: can you get a "Holiday Tree" for no new taxes? Could this be his way of subtly pushing people into politically correct holidays?! Lots of jobs here in western Canada for honest, hard-working folks … too damn cold to 'tent' outdoors in the winter, as well.
We're watching your politics with great interest (and damn glad it isn't happening here). We extend many thanks to our and your veterans this week and all year long. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all you .
The Grinch is alive and well in the White House.
The Grinch is alive and well in the White House.
As a short Christmas Tree, I would like to know exactly why large Christmas trees are not taxed more than 15%? During these turbulent times of climate change, when large Christmas trees can afford to shed a few needles, short trees are being used for bark mulch, and fertilizer costs keeping increasing, shouldn't larger trees be forced to pay their fair share? The 99% of us shorties, who suffer from increasing needle disparity, want to have a future for our seedlings. Instead of 15% across the board, isn't it fairer to have no tax for trees up to 4' tall, and tax the rest of the trees at 100%?
Republicans will double the tax – because it's the "responsible" thing to do… One has to come to the realization there is no difference between the partys – they are all criminals that want complete control. Hate to tell you no one will repeal Obamacare – that would give up too much control!
This has to be a joke right?
That then would be disrimination.
What next,a tax on checkered table cloths?
So much for no new taxes on anyone making under $250k…..
Next tax will be on any decorations that actually say "Christmas" rather than the politically correct "Holiday"
Political correctness sucks, and so does OBAMA!!
I don't understand…the tax is to promote the buying of Christmas trees, yet they tax the people who are BUYING the Christmas trees.
Shouldn't they be taxing the people who DON'T buy Christmas trees?
A fifteen cents per tree tax? Is this what I'm reading? Is this a foot in the door taxt to raise these taxes next year? Who the hell does this President think he is to Grant A Special Marketing and Promtion Tax for the Christmas Tree Industry. What pomposity!
This is Obama's America, and I'm not liking it much, and I'll do my best to fight this crap till the day I die..
lolwut?
I'm so glad I'm now old enough to help vote this guy out of office.
Nothing escapes these people…
Am I reading The Onion?
I am assuming this is a Republican joke about the Obama administration. Nobody could be stupid enough to put on this kinda tax.
One term is a fitting present to this inept, one horse pony phony.
Once again, President Obama spreading misery thoughout the land.
To unbelievable for words.
This is just another way to create more bureaucracy and fund it. Ten years from now that 15 cents will be 15 bucks. Watch out Easter bunny, Easter eggs will be next.
This is a hoax right? Obama can't possibly be this stupid. Can he?
A great new incentive to focus on the Birth of Christ, sans decorating a tree with more tax dollars.
We have to get this government out by any means necessary.
Fifteen cents, OH GOD NO. Not a whole fifteen cents! In just 20 years, that's 3 bucks out of my pocket! This Tree Grinch Deathmas Tax will kill the core industry that keeps America free for 2 weeks a year! We're living in Communist Kenya!
The economy is barely growing and nine percent of the American people have no jobs. Is a new tax on Christmas trees the best President Obama can do?
Apparently.
By the way, the actually unemployment rate is higher than 9%. You would be well advised to crawl out from under your rock more often than once in a blue moon.
A Christianity tax.
I bet the employees of the new government office are Chicagoans that he is paying back with jobs!
How about a tax on fireworks to promote Independence Day in the same way as Christmas trees. Why not make Christmas Tree purchases mandatory as part of the Health Care Law. After all what smells more fresh and lifts spirits better than a Christmas tree?
How about a tax on fireworks to promote Independence Day in the same way as Christmas trees. Why not make Christmas Tree purchases mandatory as part of the Health Care Law. After all what smells more fresh and lifts spirits better than a Christmas tree?
I thought that the Constitution dictates that Congress has the power to tax and only after voting. I don't think that the Agricultural Department has the power to tax.
Among the other egregious aspects of this stunt, it is a backhanded way to say the Christmas tree has no religious significance–not even as a symbol. So the government will take the position that its promotion of sales of Christmas trees is not in violation of the 1st Amendment establishment of religion clause, and hope it gets a chance to have a court endorse that position. One might conclude that this is a flip-flop from other cases where the government bans crosses, nativity scenes and the like from public property–but it's no flip-flop–it's just an attack on Christianity from the opposite direction–saying one of the key symbols of the season is purely secular.
Among the other egregious aspects of this stunt, it is a backhanded way to say the Christmas tree has no religious significance–not even as a symbol. So the government will take the position that its promotion of sales of Christmas trees is not in violation of the 1st Amendment establishment of religion clause, and hope it gets a chance to have a court endorse that position. One might conclude that this is a flip-flop from other cases where the government bans crosses, nativity scenes and the like from public property–but it's no flip-flop–it's just an attack on Christianity from the opposite direction–saying one of the key symbols of the season is purely secular.
Among the other egregious aspects of this stunt, it is a backhanded way to say the Christmas tree has no religious significance–not even as a symbol. So the government will take the position that its promotion of sales of Christmas trees is not in violation of the 1st Amendment establishment of religion clause, and hope it gets a chance to have a court endorse that position. One might conclude that this is a flip-flop from other cases where the government bans crosses, nativity scenes and the like from public property–but it's no flip-flop–it's just an attack on Christianity from the opposite direction–saying one of the key symbols of the season is purely secular.
Among the other egregious aspects of this stunt, it is a backhanded way to say the Christmas tree has no religious significance–not even as a symbol. So the government will take the position that its promotion of sales of Christmas trees is not in violation of the 1st Amendment establishment of religion clause, and hope it gets a chance to have a court endorse that position. One might conclude that this is a flip-flop from other cases where the government bans crosses, nativity scenes and the like from public property–but it's no flip-flop–it's just an attack on Christianity from the opposite direction–saying one of the key symbols of the season is purely secular.
Or, placed somewhere else perhaps.
What a sorry "president" and administration. You make this stuff up even if you wanted to !
What a sorry "president" and administration. You make this stuff up even if you wanted to !
So someone who sells 500 trees has to pay a $75 fee. And how much will it cost to monitor compliance? Someone said 14 cents out of 15 will go toward administration. Sounds like that might be optimistic. Wouldn't surprise me if ensuring compliance cost 50 cents out of 15. From the Googler machine, I found out that there are 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold each year http://www.christmastree.org/facts.cfm 30 mil @ $0.15 is only $4.5 million dollars. They've probably already spent more than that just considering this proposal. You certainly couldn't do a national ad campaign (with multiple government employees to manage the campaign) for $4.5 million. Crazy idea.
Come on people. Get with it!!! Think of all the jobs this tax will create. Every Xmas tree merchant will have to hire two or three people just to do the paperwork to keep track of the amount of tax to be collected and to file the necessary forms with the government. Then there will be the bookkeepers to write the check to pay the tax to the special government agancy. The government will have to hire people to hang out on street corners to make sure the vendors don't just disappear with the money after December 25th.
What a country!!! Someone must not sleep at night to dream this crap up……….
The Administration will almost certainly spend hundreds of thousands of dollars making sure that NO Christmas trees are "allowed" to be placed on public property.
"We can create a tax to promote them…as long as we don't let people publicly enjoy them." Dysfunctional.
Please tell me I'm reading the Onion.
Please tell me I'm reading the Onion.
You are just a bunch of pagans worshiping a fairy tale that never could have existed. Youshould be ashamed of yourselves.
Do you consider yourself some sort of authoritative source? Or perhaps you are immortal and have been here since the beginning and you know it all. You are a joke.
You are just a bunch of pagans worshiping a fairy tale that never could have existed. Youshould be ashamed of yourselves.
You are just a bunch of pagans worshiping a fairy tale that never could have existed. Youshould be ashamed of yourselves.
You are just a bunch of pagans worshiping a fairy tale that never could have existed. Youshould be ashamed of yourselves.
How many people actually think April Fools Day is in April?
How many people actually think April Fools Day is in April?
How many people actually think April Fools Day is in April?
I have a 10 year old artificial tree.. this year it goes to my daughter and we are buying a new one which will last another 10 years.. good thing I'm allergic to real trees or I would have YET another tax to pay..LOL..
I have a 10 year old artificial tree.. this year it goes to my daughter and we are buying a new one which will last another 10 years.. good thing I'm allergic to real trees or I would have YET another tax to pay..LOL..
I have a 10 year old artificial tree.. this year it goes to my daughter and we are buying a new one which will last another 10 years.. good thing I'm allergic to real trees or I would have YET another tax to pay..LOL..
Boycott the purchase of xmas trees . It is the only they will listen!
Boycott the purchase of xmas trees . It is the only they will listen!
Boycott the purchase of xmas trees . It is the only they will listen!
Boycott the purchase of xmas trees . It is the only they will listen!
Yeah! if you do that there will be more lost jobs and bankruptsies. its not the tree people its the government. and its not about the tax. its an underhanded attack on Christians!
They would love it !
By the way we don't celebrate X, we celebrate the birth of Christ.
Dumb, dumber and dumbest.
Dumb, dumber and dumbest.
Dumb, dumber and dumbest.
15 cents! The horror! Why don't you fat republicans in a flyover state avoid super sizing one of your meals at mcdonald's one time, you'll be okay.
last time I was at a McDonalds there were a lot of fatties, didn't look like Republicans though
last time I was at a McDonalds there were a lot of fatties, didn't look like Republicans though
You have never had an original thought, have you. Just another member of the heard. I guess that is the best some can do. I guess it is easier to do as one is told, no matter how stupid or silly.
Its not about the money, its about the principle!
15 cents! The horror! Why don't you fat republicans in a flyover state avoid super sizing one of your meals at mcdonald's one time, you'll be okay.
You are clueless. Everything he taxes will be boycotted.
15 cents! The horror! Why don't you fat republicans in a flyover state avoid super sizing one of your meals at mcdonald's one time, you'll be okay.
To "promote" Christmas trees? To "promote" as in "establish" in the hearts and minds of Americans CHRISTmas trees. Oh but wait CONGRESS shall make no law, but 0bama apparently can make an edict.
I seriously wonder if ANYBODY in the federal government who heard of this idea before they announced it even took 60 seconds to kick back and think "Now is this really a good idea?".
Per Bugs Bunny – "What a Maroon!"
I mean, let's say I buy something other than a Douglas Fir (say, a rubber tree or a bonsai tree) for Christmas – Do I still get charged the fee?
Truthfully – How stupid can this federal government get?
Oh, wait…..
I seriously wonder if ANYBODY in the federal government who heard of this idea before they announced it even took 60 seconds to kick back and think "Now is this really a good idea?".
Per Bugs Bunny – "What a Maroon!"
I mean, let's say I buy something other than a Douglas Fir (say, a rubber tree or a bonsai tree) for Christmas – Do I still get charged the fee?
Truthfully – How stupid can this federal government get?
Oh, wait…..
This is just the continuation of STUPID, it will get even more STUPID. It is seriously out of control!!
I seriously wonder if ANYBODY in the federal government who heard of this idea before they announced it even took 60 seconds to kick back and think "Now is this really a good idea?".
Per Bugs Bunny – "What a Maroon!"
I mean, let's say I buy something other than a Douglas Fir (say, a rubber tree or a bonsai tree) for Christmas – Do I still get charged the fee?
Truthfully – How stupid can this federal government get?
Oh, wait…..
I, for one, could not be happier about this news! For too long I have heard many people bad mouthing Christmas trees and thought to myself: when is the government going to step in and do something about this? I'm so glad the government feels the need to step in and do marketing for a private industry. I wish the government would just control all the goods in the nation and give us what they think we need.
I, for one, could not be happier about this news! For too long I have heard many people bad mouthing Christmas trees and thought to myself: when is the government going to step in and do something about this? I'm so glad the government feels the need to step in and do marketing for a private industry. I wish the government would just control all the goods in the nation and give us what they think we need.
I, for one, could not be happier about this news! For too long I have heard many people bad mouthing Christmas trees and thought to myself: when is the government going to step in and do something about this? I'm so glad the government feels the need to step in and do marketing for a private industry. I wish the government would just control all the goods in the nation and give us what they think we need.
I, for one, could not be happier about this news! For too long I have heard many people bad mouthing Christmas trees and thought to myself: when is the government going to step in and do something about this? I'm so glad the government feels the need to step in and do marketing for a private industry. I wish the government would just control all the goods in the nation and give us what they think we need.
Where is this in the constitution? Who are the 42% of the people still approving his policies?
Where is this in the constitution? Who are the 42% of the people still approving his policies?
What next, a tax on checkered table cloths?
What next, a tax on checkered table cloths?
Finally! B.O. is going to do something about the negative image of Christmas Trees. I think he should base his entire re-election campaign on this issue. Simply brilliant!
Still trying to close my mouth! This isn't a joke, but it should be. This idiot appoints a board and charges a .15 tax for an industry that doesn't need his input or his interference. Somehow, I see the revenue generated going to his lousy reelection campaign…
Still trying to close my mouth! This isn't a joke, but it should be. This idiot appoints a board and charges a .15 tax for an industry that doesn't need his input or his interference. Somehow, I see the revenue generated going to his lousy reelection campaign…
Still trying to close my mouth! This isn't a joke, but it should be. This idiot appoints a board and charges a .15 tax for an industry that doesn't need his input or his interference. Somehow, I see the revenue generated going to his lousy reelection campaign…
I can tell them where they can put the Christmas tree and the stand that goes with it. Doesn't this scumbag administrations have any shame? Who is this flaming rectum orifice who wan't this tax? Instead of using a chain saw on the trees, we need to start in Washington with this moron. I'm a peaceful guy, but this Obamunist Adminsitration is starting to make another 1776 style revolution look pretty good.
If this doesn't prove the government is run by idiots nothing will.
If this doesn't prove the government is run by idiots nothing will.
So, if it it is a "Holiday Tree" is it taxed?
So, if it it is a "Holiday Tree" is it taxed?
So, if it it is a "Holiday Tree" is it taxed?
Merry Christmas! Vote smart in 2012
This isn't about promoting Christmas trees, it's about creating more unionized government jobs. This is nothing more than Obama stealing from the Christmas tree industry to line the pockets of his union cronies.
“program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Christmas trees; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Christmas tree industry” (7 CFR 1214.46(n)). And the program of “information” is to include efforts to “enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States” (7 CFR 1214.10).
Really?
How does this differ from the check offs paid by others in the Ag business? The beef, pork, dairy, and others in the Ag business all have check offs to fund product promotion. These check offs all add to the cost of the end product.
This is a real joke since the rest of the administration wants to remove all observance or mention of the religious celebration of Christmas. Why? Because it commemorates the birth of Christ. Of course since hte secular world relies on this commemoration celebration to make money, that is fine.
Considering one in six Americans now live below the poverty threshold, a lot of us will be celebrating Festivus this year. Next they'll be changing the address of the White House from Pennsylvania Ave. to Mount Crumpet.
I can't say that this doesn't appear to be a joke. That said, however, are you really complaining about a $0.15 per tree tax???. That's not 15% folks…..that's 15 cents!
You just do not get it, do you?
its not about the money, its about the principle and the attack on christianity!
I can't say that this doesn't appear to be a joke. That said, however, are you really complaining about a $0.15 per tree tax???. That's not 15% folks…..that's 15 cents!
I can't say that this doesn't appear to be a joke. That said, however, are you really complaining about a $0.15 per tree tax???. That's not 15% folks…..that's 15 cents!
Come on. Think about it. Today it is ONLY 15 cents. Eventually it will esculate to 50 cents then $1 then….
soon it will be 15%. DON'T TRUST THE GOVERNMENT, THEY ARE NOT HERE TO HELP YOU but to create departments to 'employ governmet workers' so as to 'create jobs'. Hello Socialism.
I can't say that this doesn't appear to be a joke. That said, however, are you really complaining about a $0.15 per tree tax???. That's not 15% folks…..that's 15 cents!
The reality here is a means to really shut down an industry he doesn't like. It will allow him to show the tree huggers how he is really saving trees because he can show lowered sales and he gets to have his cake (appearing to support the tree growers). And eat it to by slowing sales ( with his non tax). Our presidents idea of a win win.
Of course this is the beginning of a federal sales tax… to promote the economy.
I did not realize that the Christmas tree had an image problem. In a related note, I noticed (and happily so) that Target has put the "Christmas" back in Christmas this year.
So I just wont buy fresh christmas trees anymore… Guess I will either drag out an old fake tree or better yet, just not put one up. Why rearrange my living room for nothing… Not like many people can afford to put any presents under one right now anyways thanks to the government botching of the economy…
Next will be a wreath improvement and marketing program. How else can we insure the quality of wreaths?
Next will be a wreath improvement and marketing program. How else can we insure the quality of wreaths?
Next will be a wreath improvement and marketing program. How else can we insure the quality of wreaths?
Next will be a wreath improvement and marketing program. How else can we insure the quality of wreaths?
If it called a Holiday Tree, does it still get taxed 15 cents? Another attack on Christianity.
It will go from Christmas Tree to Xmas Tree (get Christ out of it) and then to Holiday Tree. But of course it will still be taxed at an escalated rate. TRUST YOUR GOVERNMENT TO DO THE RIGHT THING!!
If it called a Holiday Tree, does it still get taxed 15 cents? Another attack on Christianity.
If it called a Holiday Tree, does it still get taxed 15 cents? Another attack on Christianity.
If it called a Holiday Tree, does it still get taxed 15 cents? Another attack on Christianity.
15 cents to create a plan to eliminate Christmas from tree and force Americans to call it a holiday tree or pay a $20 tax instead of 15 cents. We can only hope this guy gets removed from the White House before or in November 2012 before he does any more damage to our economy and our nation as a whole.
Um did this not go thru congress first?
One would think a good way for Christmas trees to be more popular would be for them to cost less instead of more. Common sense is becoming extinct.
This tax has the same stench as the tanning tax. What tax is next? Marriage license tax? Church attendance tax? Home schooling tax? Easter basket tax?
What else do socialists hate? Tax it!
Wait, I thought we were supposed to call them "Holiday Trees" now?
Wait, I thought we were supposed to call them "Holiday Trees" now?
Well, the stores have been calling them holiday trees for the last few years. So if the tree farms call them holiday trees, or large air fresheners for the home. Will they still have to pay the tax?
""the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees""". …………EXCUSE ME!!!!????????
I wonder who's going to be the Christmas czar?
This is fairly common in agriculture. If this is like most agricultural assessments, it was voted on by producers to fund promotion, new product development, and nutrition education. Similar programs exist for dairy ($0.15 per cwt) which fund the Got Milk ads; for beef which fund the “Beef, it’s whats for dinner” ads; for pork which funds the “Pork. The Other White Meat” ads; and for eggs which fund “The Incredible, Edible Egg” ads.
Lucky for me, My tree is in a box in the attic! Take that Obama!!
You're a mean one Mr Grinch!
You're a mean one Mr Grinch!
You're a mean one Mr Grinch!
Boy, it appears that the christmas tree won't be LOCATED in the lobby, it IS the christmas tree lobby!
(And – the 'obvious' question – how many bureaucrats being paid $100,000/year does it take to collect/enforce a 15 cent *koff* 'fee'?
When you think this administration cannot do something dumber then what it has already done..they prove you wrong.
Stop spending so much money telling people their beliefs are somehow wrong and offensive and you wouldn't need a stupid tax to promote Christmas trees.
All people will remember is -"Obama+Christmas Tree Tax"..who are his advisors and what planet do they reside on to think that is in anyway good PR.
Oh well, 15 cents is a small price to pay for the right to call it a Christmas tree.
Who voted for him. Stand up and slap yourself!!!
Taxation without representation.
Each state government has the authority to promote its agricultural products. The producers vote to impose a fee to help market certain agricultural products. It is a power grab by the Obama adminstration to get involved in function of state government. What's new. The Obama administration loves increasing its power.
So, now Obama is Scrooge McDuck?
Did "The Onion" change it's name to "The Foundry" ?
"to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees."- craziness
Let me get this right.
Suppose a small business sells 500 trees a year. That would generate $75 in tax revenue for the government.
In order to do this the business owner must do the following.
1. Program computer to charge this tax for trees only. (4 hours)
2. Figure out which form to file and verify this with the accountant (2 hours)
3. Add up all Christmas tree tax receipts monthly or quarterly and fill out the form (4 hours)
4. Mail the form in and make journal entries so it's accounted for on the tax returns (2 hours)
That's minimum of 12 hours of work plus expenses. If the small business owner's time is worth $20/hour. it will cost him $240 to do this for the government and govt. will make $20 that will be spent on the bureaucrats.
No wonder the economy isn't growing. The government gets in the way.
I bet they don't pay the tax if the call it a "Holiday Tree"
HUMBUG!!
stupid
In the mist of all this, I see some home from Obama, he is now calling it a Christmas tree, not a holiday tree. At this time, I will settle for any little thing and that is all we are getting.
It's going to cast 16 cents per tree to administer and collect the 15 cent tax. LOL
Ha ha ha… Thank goodness I have a fake tree.
This is just a checkoff program that the Christmas tree industry asked for. Calm down folks!
Just go to your local national forest and cut down the tree of your choice. But you'll need to stamp the letters "OWS" on the stump otherwise you could get into serious trouble.
He is callling the WH Christmas tree a holiday tree and will not put any ornaments with a religious theme on his tree this year.
He is callling the WH Christmas tree a holiday tree and will not put any ornaments with a religious theme on his tree this year.
Oh, the U.S. and the world's got a 2012 Christmas present coming in early November…a world without a President Obama. This is arrogance, stupidity and absurdness all wrapped up in one.
Ho, ho, ho! Poor Santa, he had to lay off all the reindeer and most of the elves due to the coming ObamaCare. He's not sure how to get all the gifts distributed, as the bullet trains are not snow shovel ready.
My wife and I own a choose and cut Christmas Tree farm in Texas. We have been members of both our state and national Christmas tree associations. The trade associations are always looking for new ways to promote the industry, but I can't fathom any of us being supportive of a federal mandate that is going to bureauacratize our industry. GIVE ME A MASSIVE BREAK.
ummmmm….CONGRESS is the only avenue for imposing TAXES…did the Monarchy finally declare itself?
ummmmm….CONGRESS is the only avenue for imposing TAXES…did the Monarchy finally declare itself?
ummmmm….CONGRESS is the only avenue for imposing TAXES…did the Monarchy finally declare itself?
Thats why its called a fee…
In our area up north, we have unemployed and welfare and semi-homeless that go into the woods to cut pine branches and make Christmas wreaths. They sell them at parking lots. They are really trying to make a few $ for Christmas. I wonder if the GOVERNMENT is aware of this flagrant evasion of paying income taxes??? In addition to the Christmas Tree Tax, we should do something about these Wreath Makers that are avoiding the GOVERNMENT SYSTEM!!
Huh?? I think we've reached the critical mass of idiocy to where we need no Federal Government……
Huh?? I think we've reached the critical mass of idiocy to where we need no Federal Government……
Well Bah-Humbug, look who turned into Scrooge this season . . . . .
Well Bah-Humbug, look who turned into Scrooge this season . . . . .
Well Bah-Humbug, look who turned into Scrooge this season . . . . .
This is absolutely asinine.
This is absolutely asinine.
Time to buy a made in China, artificial tree, next year the tax will be a dollar and on and on it goes. Brilliant idea, hope they created a lot of government jobs with this one! I wonder how much it will cost to pay these new bureaucrats. Brilliant idea! not
Time to buy a made in China, artificial tree, next year the tax will be a dollar and on and on it goes. Brilliant idea, hope they created a lot of government jobs with this one! I wonder how much it will cost to pay these new bureaucrats. Brilliant idea! not
AN OTHER GOVERMENT BOONDOGGLE!!!!!!
AN OTHER GOVERMENT BOONDOGGLE!!!!!!
AN OTHER GOVERMENT BOONDOGGLE!!!!!!
AN OTHER GOVERMENT BOONDOGGLE!!!!!!
I've got the same tree I've had for the last 15 years. Fake….
Nothing promotes and enhances an activity like taxing it… Everyone knows that, right?
Nothing promotes and enhances an activity like taxing it… Everyone knows that, right?
Nothing promotes and enhances an activity like taxing it… Everyone knows that, right?
This just keeps getting stranger and stranger. Is there anyone in the executive branch who has a clue? This has to be a payoff! There has to be some big Obama supporter who will be in charge of this meaningless program. Please stop the insanity. I am grateful that our nation has given us the ability to correct errors of this magnitude. It's called the ballot box. Repubs, if you run anyone with half a brain, they will win and they better start making serious cuts in federal spending.
Did anyone else hear that the artist which paints Christmas Tree decorations for the White House was just told that they were changing the names to Holiday Trees and the President didn't want any religious references in the holiday decorations. I hear she said something about not being involved in anything that takes the Christ out of Christmas. We are no longer a Christian nation. Does that fire anyone up anymore?!?
Can he impose a tax to improve his image? I think the tree may poll higher than him at this rate.
Are you sure this is from this year?
I went to the Federal Register site and found this from LAST year…
http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/11/0…
cnredd
Political Wrinkles http://politicalwrinkles.com
Yeah, it's a bit confusing. It was proposed last year but not implemented until today: http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/11/0…
Yeah, it's a bit confusing. It was proposed last year but not implemented until today: http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/11/0…
Thanks Brandon! I see it! :)
App. 33 million real Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. every year. This tax will generate app. 5 million dollars for the government. This is one of those sneaky taxes that people don't notice because it's "just 15 cents!"
Why should I make a comment if a bunch of "people" will decide if it worthy??????????
Why should I make a comment if a bunch of "people" will decide if it worthy??????????
Here we go again Congress, you make the tax laws not the President, you, the Congress have the check book, not the President. Will you please show your strengths instead of your weaknesses. We out here are aware of the three branches of government and the Constitution.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I did not think that the administration had the authority to levy taxes.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I did not think that the administration had the authority to levy taxes.
Knowing Liberals as I do (thanks to Rush), it is entirely possible that this could be true. Another Govt board, agency or regulatory entity wouldn't surprise me. However, it probably is a joke.
This has got to be a joke. Please tell me this is a joke. Is this part of the jobs plan?
This is exactly the problem with Government. Christmas Trees are sold in the private sector by private businesses. If they want to market their products, then get out of their way and let them market their products – with their own damn money. Why the hell should the Government get involved?
This is exactly the problem with Government. Christmas Trees are sold in the private sector by private businesses. If they want to market their products, then get out of their way and let them market their products – with their own damn money. Why the hell should the Government get involved?
It's called the New World Order. Period. It's here and trying to stay alive. But its time, is almost over…
Most American industries already have private trade associations. Joining them is optional. This NEW government tentacle imposing itself into the private sector is a stick in the eye of all Americans, such as Tea Party Supporters, who finally see that the federal government is out of control. The next federal election can't come soon enough!
Ridiculous, Bob.
Just when you think this president and administration can't get any more surreal and absurd they come up with something like this. They can't leave anything alone, can they?
they just can't just stop racking in the dough. A finger in every pot. A penny here, a penny there.. a penny in this other place. Can't they just leave things alone even for a moment?
Your a "Mean One Mr. Grinch"…who is stealing Christmas…Hhhhuuuummmm
Wait a minute…Is this theonion.com?
Wait a minute…Is this theonion.com?
So how does a 15 cent tax actually help the industry? Seems to me that like all taxes, this will do nothing more than increase the cost to the consumer, which will actually deter potential tree buyers! Hence, the fundamental flaw with our current tax and spend administration.
$0.15 now $15.00 later
$0.15 now $15.00 later
I'm sure that they will have to educate all Christmas tree farms so they make sure and tell their customers that they cannot refer to the tree as a "Christmas tree", rather it should be called a "holiday tree".
A tax on Christmas trees to help promote the lowly status of the Christmas tree? Really? Can't wait for the Halloween pumpkin tax that's sure to be coming next.
Don't worry we will paying for skyrocketing electric bills to light our homes and christmas trees!! That will make this president very happy!!!!!
lolwut?
So glade I'm now old enough to help vote this guy out of office.
TAX AND SPEND. TAX AND SPEND. How is this remotely "change"? Swab your arse 0bamao, you're about to kiss it good-bye. (*figure of speech for those in Rio Linda)
A 15 Cent tax per tree is the first step. The next likely step for this Administration must be a new program – Universal Access to Christmas Trees.
The current system is so unfair – only those with enough disposable income to shell out the $35 – $60 for a fresh cut Christmas tree gets to enjoy them. All Americans have a RIGHT to Christmas Trees, and it's Government's role to save us from the greedy, profit-hungre Christmas Tree Farms!
LOL.
Just let the free market work. People will buy their christmas trees from the people with the best, and the people with the worst won't get any business. Simple.
I love my artificial tree….I have used for 6 years now and guess what, the bastard can;t tax it again!!!!
Ho! Freaking Ho! Ho!
At least he is still calling it a Christmas Tree.
Another way to redistribute income!
"To pay for the new Federal Christmas tree image improvement and marketing program, the Department of Agriculture" They set around in rooms coming up the this garbage. Looks like an idea that would come from a third world dictator with 5 different kinds of Communicable diseases all effecting rational thought. Not sure this country will make it to 2012 at this rate.
Are there going to be public service announcements about where, what kind and from what Gov't Tree Broker is the best? Put a manger in your yard….. a Jesus Tax? What about a tax on every Christmas light that isn't flourescent? What about a Snowman Tax? What about a tax on people that vote to re-elect Obama? An Idiot Tax !
So you can call it CHRISTmas when you're instituting a tax (uh, I mean fee), but you have to call it "holiday" for everything else? Glad I have a fake tree for once! Tea anyone?
Dhimitude anyone?
So will this new "tax" affect the price of Hanukkah bushes, or other religious celebratory shrubbery? I highly doubt it. Yet another attack on our sacred Holy Day of Christmas. Why am I not surprised?
Oh my, O'blamea, O'bamaScare, and now O'bamaClaus. Whats next stocking tax?
Forget the Tea Party. Let's start a Tree Party !!
I thought the house of representatives made new taxes.
How sickening and divisve this so called president has become. I'll be glad when goes back to being a Chicago Pimp in 2013.
Micro taxes. It's an Obama signature trademark. A little here. A little there. After a while it all adds up. That and growing government. The Christmas Tree Promotion Board. Board members, employees, inspection teams, enforcement agents, etc.
Revolutions have been started for less…this guy is an abject failure.
Can someone explain where these Federal departments get the authority to impose a tax at random without Congressional authority? I thought the formulation of all taxation above the state level was the exclusive domain of congress?
In the grand scheme of things this lousy runaway government can take my 15 cents but Ill tell you what…. These people who call themselves our leaders and legislators will have their day of judgement… sooner than later. We the people… The hard working, tax paying, small business job creating people, will be sick and tired of being sick and tired. When this happens there will be ALOT of tea to throw into the bay! Sooner than later.
The more the Obama Administration keeps coming up with these taxes and fees on the Middle Class the more I am adamant I will spend as little as possible this Christmas.
Just put this American down in the "Atlas Shrugged" category. I suggest all Americans boycott the Christmas Holiday shopping sprees. Let this be our answer to "Obama's Lunacy."
Spend nothing. Let business scream at the President as "Black Friday" becomes a huge Black Cloud over consumer spending. Then let Obama explain it.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Co…
This program is not just some random tax that Obama wanted to institute – THE "TAX" WAS PROPOSED, FUNDED, AND DRIVEN BY THE INDUSTRY ITSELF, not government. The money goes directly back to the industry into advertising.
The Got Milk and Beef ads? Those are funded by the exact same program.
Here's the full bill: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-11-08/pdf/20…
Obama just wants to help the little guy, he could have truly made a difference in our country.. this guy is such a joke
I WILL fight over 15 cents! I NEVER post comments … this one took the Christmas pudding! LOL
I don't understand how it's not okay to say God in public, it's not okay to have the ten commandments out in front of a federal building, but now the government is going to promote the image of Christmas trees? With at tax? Is it just me? Or am I missing something? Does anybody else see the hypocrisy at work here? I mean, are the atheists offended by the mere mention of the word "Christmas" in this article? I agree with Andrew Duckett, you just can't make this stuff up.
Forget the Constitution, this country now operates under sharia law!
Where"s the separation of church and state people now?
Well, that does it for me. I'd been putting off buying an artificial tree. But this year we'll get one. And if it applies to artificial trees also, we won't put up a full size tree again until this "tax" is gone.
Yay! More new taxes from the Bamster.
Easter eggs. Much more revenue.
Ladies and Gentlemen, our President is insane.
SCROOGE!
The Foundry sensors free speach. Won't even post an honest comment. You suck.
This insanity will not stop until the mad President is driven from the WH.
I think to offset it we need a .25 cent Burka tax, to go to the Xmass tree fund.
What a GRINCH~~~
Bahh! Humbug!
Wait until CAIR sues
Does this mean the plastic/ fake Christmas Tree industry won't have representation? THE PLOT THICKENS…. OBAMA GET IT TOGETHER! YOURE WEAK!!
New tax for a christmas tree image program. What a joke.
When did executive branch agencies acquire the power to impose a tax? What's next, a tax on Christmas gifts in order to improve the image of the gift industry?
I'm thinking of converting to ISLAM so that I will no longer will need a Christmas Tree and will then save the 15 cent tax!
How about a Berka tax? I mean why can't we focus on improving the image of Berkas'?
this is 100% illegal – all taxes must be approved by the House
he is breaking the constitution again
This is fairly common in agruiculture. There re a number of check off programs that are assessments voted on by producers to fund promotion, new product development, and nutrition education. Similar programs to this exist for dairy ($0.15 per cwt of milk) which fund the Got Milk ads; for beef ($1 per head) which fund the “Beef, it’s whats for dinner” ads; for pork ($0.40 per $100 of value) which funds the “Pork. The Other White Meat” ads; and for eggs which fund “The Incredible, Edible Egg” ads.
The insidious specter of mass mind extinction has coiled its tentacles around such a large percentage of our society that barring a small miracle, this destructive regime may go over the 50% line in badgering their way upon us toward their point-of-no-return agenda. This is not a game to dismiss as 'fun'. It's the bottom of the 9th. Bases are loaded, YOU are up. There are two outs.The score is 10 to 7, obama's favor.
Barry, you are offically the worst president in US history. The peanut farmer in Georgia must be smiling.
About 30 million Christmas Trees are sold a year in the U.S. With this 15 cent tax, that's $4.5 million that is supposedly going to be spent on "improving the image of the Christmas Tree" – how exactly does $4.5 million achieve that?
They'll spend a little on commercials, or something, and the rest goes God knows where. Wasn't this administration supposed to be the most transparent of them all?
Lies… from the beginning… and through to the end. At least they're consistent. Ugh.
Drug test appointed government "officials"!
Hey Obama, I'll buy a nice, fresh blue spruce and pay double tax, if you'll take the tree and stick it in that dark place, where you keep your head.
What about a tax on Menorah's, and whatever they use for Kwanzaa and Eid al-Adha. I was raised Christian but am not what one would call practicing but let's be fair across the board, this is singling out a specific faith and is also creating a tax just because they can. Once they get away with one thing they will keep pushing the envelope just like always.
one more reason to hate the living hello out of POSident Oblowhard.
as a long-standing member of the US guild of manufacturers of artificial christmas trees, I am appalled at the president's decision to tax and promote the biggest threat to my economic well-being. i have a warehouse full of artificial trees, what am i supposed to do with all these trees??
haha F you American taxpayer. i love stealing from you haha
"Holiday" trees are exempt……this is just another cunning plan to eliminate the word Christmas
Who is this guy in the WH??? He is the worst prez ever !!!! 2012 where are you????
Is this one late, or early, for April Fools Day?
Wouldn't it be great to impose a tax on idiocy? Of course, that would turn our current President into a pauper.
I'm cutting my own tree this year from the back 40. Can anyone tell me where to send my 15 cents?
that sealed it, I'm not buying a real tree this year…NOPE…. no change for you….
The Government doesn't have enough morons in useless positions, they need to add another one! This clown peasant in the White House needs to move back to the ghetto, and learn how to EARN a living!
we should all send this pile of crap a smoked ham fro Thanksgiving and for Christmas.
WTH!
Quick, call the ACLU. He used the word "Christmas."
Tax, Spend, Tax, Spend, Tax, Spend……………………………….
How about an Arab scarf (Keffiyeh) tax? God knows they have an image problem!
"to support a new Federal program to improve the image anjavascript:%20showWPLogin();d marketing of Christmas trees." — What???
WHAT IS IT GOING TO COST TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM?
At least 50c per tree.
But don't worry, we'll just borrow the rest from the Chinese.
20 cents. Another fine mess you've gotten us into Obbie!
I feel a $15 cash donation to some charity on my next tax return coming on
After reading the cited bill. The purpose is to strengthen the ag community, maintain and expand markets, new uses, and conservation. There is no mention of tax or fee. There is the nebulous assessment. So I am still wondering how does Obama have the right for the assessment. All I have to say is good job congress giving the POTUS more authority than he needs.
Put Government in charge of handling sand in the Sahara Desert and in 5 yrs there will be a sand shortage, so, guess what…. within 5 yrs we'll have a shortage of Christmas Trees… Thank you Government!
It is way too soon for an April's fool joke, this is just too stupid to be true
Seems to me once there was a push to use artificial trees to "save a tree". We don't need a Federal agency to promote Christmas trees. That should be the job of some organization of tree growers.
As I read in one of the comments, This is a joke, right????
The liberal democrat TAX , TAX , TAX and spend grinch strikes again. The only think dumber then electing this liberal democrat elitest socialist is to re elect him. Any excuse to tax and spend or handout tax payer money to his power base that will lie cheat and steal to keep his elitest butt in power. This man is the biggest embarassment to ever occupy the white house.
Well, I for one will be buying a Hanukah Bush and not a Christmas Tree.
This is a joke, right?
Anyone else seen the movie Dave? "I don't want to tell some eight-year-old kid he's gotta sleep in the street because we want people to feel better about their car. Do you want to tell them that?" This is even worse….at least a car is a significant part of a family's possessions – but a tree that will last like 2 or 3 weeks? Craziness!!
Ho Ho NOOOOOOOOO!!!
If congress stayed home and we didn't pay all those fat head politicians for a day… we wouldn't need this tax. STUPID… some days it is sad to be an american if this is true.
Why?
obviously, the logical explanation is that he's proving to middle Amercia that he's really a Christian by promoting Christmas trees, and at the same time reaching out to his anti-Christian base by taxing them.
or, he could be setting himself up for an insanity plea down the road….
What has ANY government office got to do with promoting ANY consumer item? Will come one please show me where that is in the Constitution?
This is symptomatic of our COMPLETELY OUT-OF-CONTROL government that thinks it has the right to stick its nose into every aspect of our lives -and to charge us for the privilege.
Does anyone know where I can apply for the Christmas/Winter Festival Tree Czar's job?
I wonder if he is going to go to Europe now and apologize for having the US presidential office being such an embarassment?
Oh come on that's not equal taxation, let's tax the fake ones as well. So we can improve the imagine of the fakey's too!
You know what, who cares about a tax on Christmas tree's. I am not going to lose sleep over a 15% tax what is that, $2-3 extra for a tree.
The Christmas Tree is a link back to pagan worshipping anyway so why lose sleep over it.
If the tax is being created by the government to market this particular product, isn't the government, by extension, endorsing a religion? It seems to me on one hand Obama and company seek to oppress the freedom of religion (specifically Chroistians ability to freely follow their beliefs) while at the same time looking to allow the government to profit from that same singular religion.
Are you kidding me???? Kinda looks like that clown in the White House is imposing a tax on Christians. If memory serves me, I believe that some muslims in the middle east believe that Christians must pay them a fee for not being muslim. (I can't remember what the fee is called in their culture). Is that actually happening in the United States? I wonder if POTUS is going to impose a tax on every burqa that is sold? LOL, very doubtful. This anti-American radical shows his true colors more and more every day. I never thought I would see the day that this great nation would be under attack by someone actually occupying the White House, but it is happening. I fear for my children and grandchildren. At least I can hold my head up high and say that I DID NOT vote for this marxist…………. btw, obviously this guy didn't take too many math classes so I'm gonna help him out a little. At the current rate of federal spending, you cannot bring in enough taxes to cover it. So, simpleton, ya better cut the spending…………
Twas the month before Christmas,
and Obmaination is in the house…
Doesn't he have bigger fish to fry? What a Grinch!
If this is a joke, the jokesters must try a lot harder to make us gasp in disbelief. This tax sounds too plausible. I'm afraid it's no longer possible for mere humans to caricature the stupendous absurdity of government.
Isn't he supposed to be a "green" president? Doesn't this promote the chopping down and killing of trees? What a joke.
Communist America…. one hand prosecutes those who use the word CHRISTMAS… the other hand taxes those who believe in CHRISTMAS… keep your powder dry…
Just remember….. a small little Tea Tax was what made people throw off the last restirictive governement…….
Sorry, folks. I am no fan of Obama, but this is a program instigated by the Christmas tree growers. Every qualifying grower has to contribute to the marketing and promotion of Christmas trees so more trees get sold for more money resulting in happy tree farmers. The government does not get any of the money; it's the same thing the dairy farmers do, "Got Milk?"
Sing along with me –"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch….."
I hope Herman Cain is making a list of Obama laws to overturn on his first day in office.
the animal is getting mad,he senses the end of his reign….
It's beginning to look a lot like Taxmas.
Man, this guy never fails to deliver every day on something more and more stupid…and ya'll thought W Bush was dumb?
Link to the actual regulation please!
Is it just me, or am I missing the part where Congress passed a law to impose the tax?
when do liberals start the sun and oxygen tax? when will Conservatives put an end to this nonsense and BOYCOTT EVERY AND ALL businesses thats supports democrats? stop giving your money to these businesses so they can give it to democrats and their agenda.
This clown is off his rocker. Take you're Haldol, Barry. You are a disgrace.
So if I sell a "holiday tree" do I not have to pay the tax? What about a December, snow, cold weather, Santa Clause tree?
This is so stupid,
ok seriously now how can still be supporting this guy?
The only reason you hate the things Obama does is because he is a democrat. I'm sure you wish Osama were still alive just so you could blame that on Obama as well. And the only reason all of you ignorant citizens think you can speak such trash about the president is because he is an intelligent black man smarter than you who is not a muslim and does really want what is best for the country. And I hate to break it to you, he's not the Anti-Christ. All of you dug us in America a grave by electing Bush twice to decimate our economy and explode our spending, not to mention be the most neo-conservative president ever (not that most of you will even know what that means, ahem, Herman Cain), and now you want to blame Obama for trying to get us all out of it. You are all selfish pigs who, although all the country has done for you, want to pay the absolute minimum taxes if the money being collected isn't going directly to profit you. I think one of the only times Rick Perry was right was when he called all of you heartless, what a genius, at least in relative Republican terms, that is.
Michelle, it's really not necessary to call yourself 'Alex.' I'm amused that you think he's 'intelligent.' The man is a post turtle poster child. Didn't even have the grace to turn down the Nobel Peace Prize. WHAT did he do to EARN that, other than 'show up black?' In case you haven't noticed, under your 'husband' more Americans than ever are reliant on Food Stamps to get by. Your chump has forced obamacare down everyone's throat, all the while giving waivers to his friends. IF it's going to be so damn good, why isn't it good enough for union people and government rats? In doing so, he's destroyed business. Employment is at a persistent high — he's TRIPLED the entire national debt in his less than 3 years in office. He rules by fiat. Scum who voted for obama aren't worth spitting on.
You're right about one thing. We want to pay minimum taxes. We also want to stop the waste, fraud and excessive entitlements. If you want to pay more taxes, you go right ahead, no one is stopping you.
I strongly suggest you put the kool aid down, read The Constitution and stop listening to only the left Wing media. You will learn something.
This is just another stupid thing in a long line of stupid things to do.
This is outstanding. I've always believed that Christmas trees have been unfairly treated for years. Just look at the rude treatment they get when families throw them out onto the curb on December 26. My word! I'm going to knit a sweater for mine this year. After all, it's part of the family, isn't it?
Amazing… we can't say "Merry Christmas" or have a Christmas Program (now referred to as a "Winter
Holiday") or some such thing as that but if the government wants more $$$ then it's perfectly ok to say Christmas tree… I guess this "tax but it's not really a tax" is their way of saying that this "program" is self sustaining !!!
Maybe they're promoting Christmas trees in Libya. Why not have a religious headwear tax to balance this out?
The government is promoting Christmas?! Doesn't this violate the establishment clause?
What the hell does Obummer know about agriculture? These people have been doing business longer than he's been alive and NOW he thinks he's going to be some sort of "hero" to the agricultural industry? What an ignorant poop for brains he is. He should just stick his tax where the sun doesn't shine.
Overheard in WH oval office meeting: "Uh,,, Sir, maybe we should call it a "Holiday Tree" tax so as to confuse the citizens a wee bit?" B.O. replied, "Are you serious?, We could never get away with calling it a "Holiday Tree" tax without an uproar. Using the phraseology "Christmas Tree" tax is much more palatable for the public and since we called it a "Christmas Tree" tax they'll be very happy with me at least acknowledging the word Christmas!" With that there was Lots of laughter, several slapping sounds, apparently they're were "high fives" all around with chest bumps and shouts of "Winning" throughout the West-Wing.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, about 30 million Christmas trees are sold each year. Fifteen cents a tree is 4.5 million bucks. That should be enough to create a nice little collection of Washington jobs.
If we could have a "stupidity" tax, Oblunder would be flat broke without a pot to pi$$ in or a window to throw it out of !!!
This guy is so dumb i cry every time i see his picture, every time i see another prius with an obama sticker in the fast lane. IMPEACH
And he continues to define brilliance down.
For those who say that we do not have a current federal sales tax…what do you call this?
Yes, this is the Change you voted for in 2008. I hope they use the$5 million in tax revenue to promote the Menorah or Kwanza candle industry. Vision people, vision!
Obama is the Grinch who stole Christmas. I'll bet he wouldn't do that to Ramadan.
What is currently wrong with the image of Christmas threes? I don't think they are popular in the middle east, but everyone I know has one.
Apparently word got out that a Christmas tree was spotted at Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi's house and the Christmas tree image has gone in the gutter. Maybe the liberals can spare some anonymous woman who for a few bucks will say 15 years ago one of the tree branches groped her on Christmas while at a Republican's house.
Once again, the idioticy of audacity..
HOWEVER,
Only millionaires and billionaires would oppose this, as they have for years! These people have suppressed information, depressed Christmas tree production, and allowed the sales of these trees to be restricted to only the upper one percent of earners in this country! This is why Christmas tree sales have never gained ground in North America. The truth is, most are exported to the Mid East and China for the benefit of those at the top.
(Most of the non-union workers who are forced to grow these trees, without any health care plan, are slaughtered in January of each year.)
(Yes, I know "idioticy" is not in the dictionary. However, the actions of this administration defy logic and DEMAND the creation of new words to describe those actions.)
Now by taxing christmas trees that will get them in the through the back door to start regulating the growers out of business. Remember you are cutting down a tree that might be home to an animal that want have a home now. Remember he is into reusable right now and you can't reuse a tree.
How do you like the Hope and Change you stupid Kool-Aid_drinking zombies?
The dude hates Christians, Jews, Israel, small business, big business, progress, hard workers, white people, innovators, peace, Christmas Trees… but he really digs islamic fundamentalists!
How about the Christmas Tree sellers pay for the promotion and marketing? Is going to be the people to pay for the marketing that will increase the revenue of some companies? Is the communism in favor of the companies that he promised to fight the goal of Mr. President? Are he collecting funds thru Sellers? This is the grossest attempt of robbing American people. If the industry support this abuse, America is time to boycott natural trees this Christmas!
Here is an excellent example of doublespeak: "President Obama’s Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees."
I think he is out to control it, destroy it and make some money off it at the same time.
The doublespeak is really obvious as when Acting Administrator Shipman had the temerity to say the 15-cent mandatory Christmas tree fee “is not a tax nor does it yield revenue for the Federal government” Did Shipman at least read their own release?
This is a great idea because I'd never have thought to get a Christmas tree at Christmas time, nor where to even find one without the government helping me. Thank you, all caring, all knowing President.
I think I will just do what I have done for the last several years and go out in the cow pasture and cut down one that Mother Nature put there for me. REALLY HOW MUCH MORE STUPID CAN THIS GET!!!!!!!
Which Obama crony needs a new job?
This is very sad to hear. Please vote for Ron Paul everybody.
This is awful, during these awful economic times where so many people do not have jobs. Just awful, rather than helping the public – he is taxing holidays, targeting Christmas. What about Chanukah, can he tax candles too? What poor taste, poor judgement. I am so disheartened and disappointed.
What are they going to tax next? The Bible?
i like how it doesnt occur to any of you obama h8rz that this is just more of how the government works to steal our money. this 'board' is probably just pocketing this $, or, they simply dont, or cant, (i say cant, because how much could it possibly cost to promote christmas and the tradition of the tree?) and misallocate these funds? its time to rid our government of the two party system, down with dummicants and republicunts!
Proves OB is a tax and spend pres! I am sure it will ALL go to a worthy cause :-)
Good thing I don't sell Christmas trees, I only sell Holiday trees.
Wake up you fools – This is simply another foothold against the commerce clause!
Wow. And I never realized that Christmas trees HAD an image problem. Just what we need Obama for: to find problems that don't exist and have the government "fix" them. His next attack on Christmas will be an energy tax to "offset" the strain on the system that all those little bulbs use. Then, to be fair, the Menorah tax will hit….
You didn't post my comment. I'm aware of that. I'm aware of everything else as well. This Era is Ending. The Time is short if you want to complete your mission for it will no longer matter. We no longer matter. I do not fear my Death. Do you? Immortality is given only to those who deserve it. The Prime Creator is Watching you as much as you are Watching me. Take care and good luck. Peace
I guess i'll have to get a "Winter Holiday" tree this year.
This is the biggest rip since the "Grinch Stole Christmas". How long before some cartoonist paints Obama green with the crooked Grinch Santa cap? I want the T-shirt and bumper sticker rights to that one. Somebody, Please do it. I'll buy a hundred and give the away.
I seem to remember this Obozo speach very vividly:
"I can make a firm pledge," he said in Dover, N.H., on Sept. 12. "Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes."
He repeatedly vowed "you will not see any of your taxes increase one single dime."
Fracking liar!!!! This fraud somehow, in a very twisted way, makes Jimmy Carter almost look good. How pathetic is that?
What kind of laughable crap is this? Yeah, Right Mr President, you have gone off the deep end now.
What do atheists think of christmas tree promotion by the government? I'm sure they dont like it.
Four points: One-Once the tree is cut isn't it a dead tree. So Obama is taxing dead trees.
Two: If you buy a live tree with roots and then plant it do you still have to pay the tax if you just happen to use it as your Christmas tree first?
Three: Does this include the trees decorated in people's front yard? (Asked by my young daughter)
Four: Did the White House pay the 15 cent tax on the tree already headed to Pennsylvania Avenue?
This whole idea smells and not like a pine tree either.
Glad that years ago we bought an artificial tree, reusable and no tax yearly tax on it.
….you could not make up this kind of bunk….somebody wake me up in 2013.
You do understand that it's not JUST the tax… it also means yet another publicly paid for government institution!
Four points: One-Once the tree is cut isn't it a dead tree. So Obama is taxing dead trees.
NOT GRINCH- SCROOGE plus it's religious persecution AND discrimination too.
Just another brick in the wall.
The administration that stole christmas. If there is a way to tax the democrats will find it. If this administration makes it past the next election and holds the house, not to worry, all of our christmases will be gone along with our money and that of our grand children great grandchildren and so on.
What? He called it a CHRISTMAS tree???? (whatever happened to "holiday trees"?)
Never met a tax he didn't like.
Good grief.
but, on a happy note, I take it we are allowed to say "Merry Christmas" again, you know, to "help" improve the image and marketing of CHRISTMAS trees.
All I can say is that they have ruined the celebrating of Christmas.
Christmas has always been a special time for me and countless others of this great nation and for the world for that matter to get together with family and friends. It's not about spending money or anything else. I suppose its all about stealing our money as far as Obama is concern. Over the last 10 years Obama and Bush have stole so much from us along with the oil industry. Obama thinks he fixing the economy and gonna get re-elected next year, I got news for him. It's time to stop all this nonsense, I mean the Christmas Tree Tax. Come on get real.
Its time to get things in order and help the people. It's time to drop the oil prices so other things can start dropping in price. Mr Obama ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Don't hurt us any further.
By the way Mr. Obama I have an artificial Christmas tree. Sorry ole buddy ole pal, you ain't getting 15 cents from this fat boy
Does no one here realize that the President has nothing to do with the CFR statutes? Or it's just that no one cares?
This is beyond belief. Iran getting Nukes, food stamps and unemployment at new highs, unemploymwent comp running out, inflation on the horizon (thanks to QE) national debt out of control ….and we have the government taxing Christmas trees. Whoever came up with this – AND his boss (BHO) should be summarily dismissed. Get the !@#$ out of my life!
Christmas trees are subsidized by the government. Try buying a tree for planting (same type and size) and the cost will go up from $30-50 for the Christmas tree to $120-200 for the planting tree. So i am guessing that they want to market the Christmas trees better so they can sell them for more. that will reduce the amount of money paid out to subsidize the program each year. I just learned about this upon a visit to a tree nursery, looking for trees to put in my yard.
If you drive a car,
I'll tax the street.
If you drive to city,
I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold,
I'll tax the heat.
If you take a walk,
I'll tax your feet.
Obama taxman.
Yeah, Obama taxman.
The issue is not so much as wether or not he can impose a tax of 15 cents, which is no big imposition on most. But if he has the 'right' to impose 15 cents on a tree he has the right to impose 15 dollars, or 150 dollars, which would be a big impostion. We need to take the 'right' away from government.
It is a slap in the face of every American that this government feels it can tax any and all whatever they want and we should just shut up and take it. REVOLUTION!!!
Oblameless did not do this it must have been someone else!! WAKE UP AMERICA, this guy is wrecking a great country and no one with any clout seems to do anything about it ?? Come on 2012 !!!!!!
Cool now we can have a Department of X-Mass trees. i smell more union jobs but we will be safe from poor quality trees until they file a suit and everyone will be required to buy a lower quality tree every third year Now thats our Government at work. Aint it great!
Tell the government to stop its "war on Christmas" and that will take care of the problem ten fold. This is just dumb!
Maybe if you read an actual news story, you would see that the Christmas Tree growers actually asked for this, to try to promote real trees over artificial trees, since they are losing market share.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/08/2492659/chr… ds.html
I want to be the new Christmas Tree Czar
I'm glad someone is looking out for the Christmas trees. Problem is, fewer will be purchased, and more artificial ones will be bought. Oh, but wait. I'm sure Barry will figure that out and tax those as well! Mr. Taxman!
I think the party symbol should be replaced by the image of Obama…but, the generic name of the party image should remain.
Yet another smooth move from the most extraordinarily brilliant politician this world has ever seen. Next thing you know we'll be taxing parents to have children sing praises to him. Oh, wait…
I had no idea that Christmas trees were held in such low regard that President Golfpants needed to step in and do something.
I'm also overjoyed that we're solved all the big problems, I guess, and can now move on to this long-overdue rehabilitation of Christmas trees.
Christmas tree ? I thought they were called a " Holiday tree " now
Are you guys kidding?!? Christmas trees are usually done by "welcome" migrant workers & this year probably all out of a job and on unemployment. An industry is an industry right? dont be dumb
You can avoid this tax by calling it a 'Holiday Tree'.
This is what is known as a "tax loophole".
;/s?
The White House is still slapping themselves for not thinking of the "Pumpkin tax in time. There is time for the Turkey tax though!
There truly is a PUTZ in the White House!
Drudge finds the funniest pictures of Obama. They match perfectly with Obama's crazy policies.
Will Holiday Trees also be taxed?
Well "Christ"mas trees aren't Christian and really don't signify the birth of our savior. So tax away you secular humanist for the Yule-tide trees. It's no skin off of our hides.
The fraud-in-chief does it again, if Shelia Jackson isn't closing one industry or regulating your next BM, Sebelius will dock your pay for buying nail cutters at a non-union shop in Saigon. Now Dept.of AGRI is taxing Christmas trees? for what? because they are green?
Total failure and fraud usurping the Oval office. Arrest him for treason. Give a lenient sentence like the same as Bernie Madoff 150 years NO parole. No dog visits from Bo.
"the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees."
What utter Bull $)(/t
Is there any wonder that a Christmas tree tax idea would come from this impostor?
Jimmy Carter must be happy he has now assumed the position of second worst President we've had.
If this guy is re-elected we are going to be living in a country we won't recognize and very difficult to heal.
Obama and his crew are dangerous.
It's just another way to steal money for his slush fund.
Promote Christmas trees?? How?? The public high school in our suburb will not allow any celebration or mention of Christmas anywhere in the school. Will the new board force them to have trees? BO will be in Hawaii on Christmas day celebrating in his gym. Must be another election gimmick.
Does he really want to go down this road?
This is exactly the kind of thing your would expect from Obama. Petty tax harassing an industry standing for a religious holiday he reviles.
Did anybody actually believe the dunce in chief when he said you wouldn't see any taxes go up if you were under $200K?
I am actually speechless. And freightened for America.
Another mark of a tyrant. Please read this…especially if you are
an Obama supporter.
Just Stupid! Wonder how much tax there will be on Hanukkah candles?
Simple solution around this Christmas Tree tax. Tree farms should sell only Holiday Trees.
so are christmas tress counted as jobs saved or jobs created?
I totally support this move by the government. The huge growth in imports of Chinese Hong Kong Camellia trees and Mexican Lime Cactus plants are starting to take over the Holiday Tree/Bush/Shrub/Cactus market. As more and more Americans opt to light and decorate their Camellia trees and cacti, forgoing the traditional Christmas trees, it’s imperative that the US government create a new tax and bureaucracy (without congressional passage) immediately. We must remind Americans that Christmas is for Christmas trees… or rather, Holiday Trees, right?
Unconstitutional! All taxes must originate in the House of Representatives and a violation of the equal protection clause. The tax will not apply to Jews, Atheists, Muslims, Hindus or any non-Christians.
Has this guy ever actually READ the Constitution?
This is just one of many stories of how the minions hide under the socialists of the administration. While we are beguiled by the latest vacation trip to Bali, these bureaucrats find new ways to deconstruct our America. Even if we throw out the obamas, we will never find all of the traitors that they have placed in every office, significant or otherwise in DC. I know of such matters on a state level. As a senior manager I found that even with a Republican, conservative victory so many are there to see to it that nothing changes from the downward slide to communism. Sabotage, sloth, outright lies and false challenges to authority await. And believe me, they are good at what they do.
Pretty poorly written article here. I am ot an Obama fan, but he has nothing to do with this or these types of programs.
This is a common thing in agriculture. Most commodities have a national check off that is passed by a referendum of the people who actually grow and sell the commodities. There are state checkoffs, and there are national checkoffs.
The groups are managed by a staff that the directors of the boards hire. The directors are made up of the farmers who pay into the program. It is true that everyone pays into these programs whether they want to or not. But the fact of the matter is that this was passed by a majority vote of the people who grow and sell Christmas trees. No money from these programs can be used for any lobbying efforts. That is in a separate organization, that is privately funded through memberships. Big law suits over this in the past and it has been sorted out in the courts.
They are not without controversy, however.
Interesting that one of the few major commodities without a national checkoffs is corn, though it is the biggest crop in the U.S.
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
Don't forget to vote in 2012. If our Dear Leader gets another 4 fours unencumbered by the of running for reelection no telling what else he will tax. Vote early and vote often.
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas comes to mind.
I want to know who has been appointed to the Board
Jst wait 'til Charlie Brown hears about this
The Democrat tax on Catholicism.
I'm speechless…and truly fear the tyrant in the White House.
I'm so distraught from the acceptance that Congress can delegate powers. If Congress could, the Constitution would state specifically. If Congress could, it would negate the purpose of our Republic. I am extremely disappointed to see this article from Heritage accepting the premise that Congress let some person decide what the Nation has not. Repeat this ad nauseum for an unknown quantity of other items that pass through the process.
While a monarchy was to be avoided, the aristocracy crept in. Hoping for the second coming of Andrew Jackson before we have a civil war to remove the egotistical power mongers and restore the basics.
Though I will say I'm curious how they are going to "enhance the image" of said trees. I think they're just trying to get a head count; the statistical use unknown.
How come this comment wasn't censored? I've been making the same point, that this is an initiative that was sought by the Christmas tree industry, and my comments keep getting blocked. Looks like the Heritage Foundation really isn't interested in a free and open discussion of ideas, but promoting an agenda.
…and all the little who's in whoville slept as the the Obama who stole Christmas planned how to ruin Christmas…
At least he called it a *Christmas* Tree.
Assuming that this story is not a hoax, I have a question. By what criteria does the federal government determine that a freshly cut small fir tree is a CHRISTMAS tree? Suppose I wish to celebrate Halloween a bit late- or Martin Luther King Day a bit early.. or (drum roll, please….) KWANZAA! Since the enforcement of any law with a religious basis is strictly verboten, why could this new goofy regulation not be challenged on those grounds?
Why the heck does the Executive get to impose new taxes without Congressional approval?
I thought taxation had to originate in the House?
Wow.
How does an agency create a tax? That power is reserved for the legislature. It is time someone reigns in this out of control president.
"To pay for the new Federal Christmas tree image improvement and marketing program, the Department of Agriculture imposed a 15-cent fee on all sales of fresh Christmas trees by sellers of more than 500 trees per year (7 CFR 1214.52). And, of course, the Christmas tree sellers are free to pass along the 15-cent Federal fee to consumers who buy their Christmas trees."
Barry's image, for sure, is far worse than that of Christmas trees. There should be a tax on him, and all who voted for him for that matter, to improve their image. I think this is where Barry will get a big chunk of his relection funds. From our pockets to his.
tax the Christians may be Obama goal……. another anti-Christian move.
"President Obama's Agriculture Department," huh? Silly me, I thought it was the US Department of Agriculture–you know, the USDA? Interesting how President Obama is mentioned twice in this article. Once to immediately place an association between the President and the legislation, and once to reinforce that association. I'm sure he sat in the Oval Office and dreamt up this law himself. Yeah, right. Get real!!
So in order to improve the image of the Phony-in-Chief, should we tax him too?
This is one of the most outrageous and idiotic things I have ever heard. Taxing something to improve its image? If it is anything like the cash-for-clunkers program or any of the other "new" ideas coming from this hip guy and his cronies, it will ruin the family industry (which may be the point of it anyway, right?)!
Loser.
Rural Oregon is a major source of fresh Christmas trees and is economically distressed. So Obama decided that it would be a good thing to raise the price of Christmas trees?
I'm sure that this will hit the American tree growers much harder than the Canadians.
But the truth is simply that Obama hates American farmers and wants them taxed and regulated out of business.
This ABSOLUTELY has to be a put-on! Even Obama wouldn't stoop this low. Besides, I think a new tax requires a vote of Congress. I'll pay it as long as Muslims have to pay a Ramadan tax, Buddhists an Obon tax, Jews a Rosh Hoshana tax, etc., etc. — and atheists a "protection-from religion" tax. Mele Kalikimaka! Joyeux Noel! Feliz Navidad! ? ???? ????????! O Tannenbaum!!! etc.
This administration is a JOKE!
This has got to be a joke right? I kept reading, hoping to see a joke, a 'you've been punked' comment, but this is serious? It's not April fools in November right? This is ridiculous…..even for this Administration I can't believe it.
Obama is the Grinch who stole Christmas
Grinch Who Taxed Christmas
Seriously? Adding to the cost of fresh Christmas trees is supposed to promote their image? Is it some sort of rule that the ruling class of imbecils have to sleep with their heads under water or something?
This tax is meant purely to insult. It will generate something like $15k dollars of revenue, won't even cover one administrator's health plan. It's an opportunity for Mr. Obama to stick out his chin and gloat about being president and provide a little giggle for his secular friends.
Well this ought to make all the Democrats happy! They finally got to raise a tax! Wee!
Where is the ACLU in all this? Since when it is the government's responsibility to promote symbols or celebrations of faith? Oh wait… this is Obama so being a good Democrat always comes first.
ha – go to recovery.gov and search "Christmas" – you will really cry. Look at one with duns #060487915 – they received TEN MILLION dollars in your tax $. "Christmas" search led to this 109k that resulted in "1.08" jobs created.
And THIS is a direct cut and paste – typos and all, of what the measly 109,000 of the 10 mill got you: "Quarterly Activities/Project Description Support job retention and create safe work enviroments. Seek to improve coorination of services through improved case management of services. Assist highly vulnerable community members of low income by assisting our two local food bank during the two most crucial times of the year-thanksgiving and christmas seasons Remove barries for access to health care by providing transportation coordination and case management for patients to medical facilites.
Jobs Created 1.08
Description of Jobs Created Continual administrative support to implement current project goals and activities. Promotion and employment of one case managfer/patient advocate to work on the improvement of programmatic functions and assist the continual increase services needed and caseload being experienced by current programmatic activity availabilty. Increase the number of active individuals to address the increased need and assistance being sought from local foodbanks."
I don't blame these people for applying for the $, but just pick a word and search it at the recovery website and it is incredulous what the $ were spent on.
New name for Obama: Scrooge.
Now he's trying to put the Christmas tree vendors out of business!
A fool elected by fools
Time to grow my own Christmas trees! Bah hum bug, Mr. Obummer!
Its only imposed on sellers of 500 or more trees, watch all the small sellers limit themselves to 495 or morelikely, watch them not report any sales after 500, hurting state and local governments. This president is an idiot.
What happened to separation of Church and State…does this not constitute the government promoting Christianity??…(ha….) Next they will impose a tax on every home that celebrates Christmas becuase we contribute to global warming.
Carie,
You're missing the point or you haven't had that government class yet. If they establish this Christmas Tree Promotion Board ( or any other government program), it is doomed to fail and cost the taxpayers loads of money in the process.
True: The last thing that Barack Hussein Obama, Barry Soetoro wants to do is promote Christianity and anything related. It's not about religion, unless his religion is money.
Wow… All authority to levy tax must originate in the United States House of Representatives. All authority to determine how any of the moneys raised by the Federal Government, originates in the House of Representatives.
Any exception to this would be “taxation without representation,” and unlawful. So unless there has been a coup that has not be reported in the news. Such an action would be unlawful
If the executive branch could order a fee or tax without the Congress, then why do they bother with a congress on anything. Obama is a Statist tyrant who must be gotten out of office as fast as we can, by impeachment if necessary.
Don't you people know that there's a war on Christmas? There should be a $10 tax on all those poor trees that have to die for your sins. Also a tax on lights, ornaments, tinsel, and a $1000 license fee to be a Santa Clause. And a $100 tax for midnight mass too.
O MY GOD, UNBELIEVABLE
But really, it's ONLY 15 cents a tree…….Unfrigginbelievable
Let me see if I understand this… it's a tax on the person who just bought the Christmas tree to help market Christmas trees to the person who just bought the Christmas tree…
"I'm from the government, and I'm here to help!"
7 CFR 1214 is regulation on KIWIS!!!!!!!!! NOT CHRISTMAS TREES
You can find more information here, @Kron: http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/11/0…
You can find more information here, @Kron: http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/11/0…
um, isn't this a tax that unfairly targets Christians?
That's it, we're going out into the woods and chop down our own tree this year. Permit or no….I will do whatever it takes to not pay this tax. I don't care if it were only 2cents. This makes me sick.
Obama = Democrats = Tax & Spend = Big Government = Corruption = Mass Poverty = Loss of Freedom.
Stop the madness & destruction of America.
Vote a straight GOP ticket in Nov 2012 – we can fine-tune after we stop the intentional destruction of America.
This violates the first amendment. I thought everyone wanted to keep church and state separate?
Only the Congress has the authority to establish taxes, not the president.
This law is unconstitutional.
Is this story from The Onion?
I wondered that too!
Do you mean we can stop calling them "Holiday" trees now?
~30 million trees are sold each year, therefore, this will result in approximately $4.5M in taxes. Assuming the same success rate as the Green-jobs subsidies, which created 1 job for every $4.85 million spent, we are looking at creating approximately 0.928 jobs! Outstanding – can hardly wait to see the final cost of this initiative.
Dump all the trees in the rivers. We need a Tree Party!
you have to bet sheeting me here…. i could even half way buy tobacco and alcohol but christmas trees (wait, I thought they weren't allowed to be called that anymore….) what a joke.
Keep the government off my Christmas tree!!!
Oy vey! Well at least he's not touching my tsederboym.
Is there a Menorah tax?
How about on the weekend following Christmas when we all take our Christmas trees down we all drive them to DC and leave them on the curb in front of the White House in protest?! I will personally drive mine from California
That clears that up then.
Why wasn't this cited in the article?
New way to spell Ebenezer Scrooge: OBAMA.
Mr. Obama sure has an interesting sense of urgency…
I thought the government outlawed Christmas trees and now we have holiday trees? I guess this tax is a joke as people dont sell Christmas trees anymore – they sell holiday trees.
The sad thing is this guys is going to be elected again!
As much as everyone doesn't want it…….it will probably happen!
If he does, I will never vote again, I'm done!
This is done to keep the 99ers from enjoying a free Christmas…..
The source for this must be the onion.
there are 30-35 million trees sold a year. At 15cents per tree this is a $5,000,000 fund. Now I wonder who will be appointed to the board, hired as the administrator, where the office will be located and how much promotion will take place. My bet, there will be at least $5,000,000 of overhead cost and someone's uncle is going to get rich…..
April Fools….right?
And this guy wants us to take him seriously for a 2nd term??? Wake up America!
Im"Peach" Obama trees would be best sellers….taxes or no taxes, wouldn't matter!!!!
Didn't know it was april 1st already.
When did Christmas trees have bad images other than with rabid secularists?
The best thing Obama and his Admin could do for any market is to keep their failed taxes, experts, and policies well away from it.
This is as stupid as imposing a 15 cent tax to study the effects of the 15 cent tax. Government hard at work trying to find new ways to screw up
I know…this came from the Onion, right? No, wait…Dumb and Dumber, the Redux….er..Mad Magazine. Just pathetic…
I'm all for this tax and this new federal program. There is clearly a lack of marketing for Christmas, generally, and for Christmas trees in particular. I hope that through the efforts of the government, I might finally know where to find a Christmas tree. And really, isn't fifteen cents a small price to pay for a good laugh?
I will be ok with this tax as soon as a 15 cent tax is placed on all sheep purchased during Eid Aladha to further the study of sheep and to finance programs that make them more socialy accepted.
Actually, its a tax on Christians. Muslims, Jews, Hindu and other non-Christians don't do the Christmas tree thing.
I thought this was a joke, but then I realize you just cant make this sh** up…. Im in a real Twlight Zone, with no breaks and no Rod Serling….
Speechless.
It's the the ObamaCare bill, which we had to pass to find out what's in it. Page 666. Merry Christmas, Infidels!!
You can't make this stuff up
this clown is a real piece of……….work ( insert any word you want)
George Bailey
It's A Wonderful Life
"Merry Christmas, you old building and loan! …"
"Now wait…now listen…now listen to me. I beg of you not to do this thing. If Potter (Obama) gets hold of this Building and Loan, there'll never be another decent house built in this town. He's already got charge of the bank. He's got the bus line. He got the department stores. And now he's after us. Why? Well, it's very simple. Because we're cutting in on his business, that's why. And because he wants to keep you living in his slums and paying the kind of rent he decides. Joe, you had one of those Potter (Obama) houses, didn't you? Well, have you forgotten? Have you forgotten what he charged you for that broken-down shack? Here, Ed. You know, you remember last year when things weren't going so well, and you couldn't make your payments? You didn't lose your house, did you? Do you think Potter (Obama) would have let you keep it? Can't you understand what's happening here? Don't you see what's happening? Potter (Obama) isn't selling. Potter's (Obama's) buying! And why? Because we're panicking and he's not. That's why. He's picking up some bargains. Now, we can get through this thing all right. We've got to stick together, though. We've got to have faith in each other."
Stick together and vote this thing out of Office. Vote 2012!
Will someone please help me out here.
I was under the impression from the Constitution that Congress was responsible for the purse strings (and taxes). That the Executive branch was only responsible for inforcing the law. If that is true, how does the president able to impose a tax?
Disappointed this article failed to mention that the tax would go towards an industry created organization like the beef and dairy farmers have done. SMH. If the industry wants the government to create an organization to help them advertise their real trees versus the fake trees, then I don't see what should sto pthem.
A new Christmas Tree Czar position for one of Obama's Chicagoland gangsters.
That's not a HoHoHO you hear, it's the Libs collective laugh at the US Constitution.
Four points: One-Once the tree is cut isn't it a dead tree. So Obama is taxing dead trees.
Two: So what if I buy a live tree with roots to plant in my yard but take a detour to the living room during the Christmas season first, do I still have to pay the tax?
Three: (My daughter came up with this one) What about all the trees already in people's yards?
Four: Did the White House pay the tax on the "Holiday Tree" already on its way to Pennsylvania Avenue or because it is not called a Christmas tree, avoid the tax?
My daughter meant the ones people decorate for Christmas. I apologize for not being clearer on that point.
Why do you guys care? It's fifteen cents. 'Obama is taxing Christmas trees fifteen cents to improve the industry's image, this is an outrage!' At least Obama can speak in an intelligent manner and didn't start an economic recession. 'Well Obama hasn't done anything to help, he lied!' You can't clean up 8 years worth of $h!T in 4 years, especially GWB's $h!T. This recession isn't something that's fixed overnight, give the guy some slack and stop nit picking meaningless details to self affirm the belief that all democrats don't know anything about running a country. The parties don't matter it's the people who do.
SO BUY A CANDIAN TREE. THAT IS WHERE MOST COME FROM – NOVA SCOTIA.
I thought he wasn't going to raise taxes on anyone making $200,000 or less. Who does he think is buying Christmas trees?
The GRINCH LIVES!!!
Brother be creating jobs… federal jobs.
How is that different form the old WPA?
I'll be cutting my own tree, thank you very much, Comrade Obozo! On PRIVATE property! You can go to Helen Waite!
Obama Scrooge!
Nothing you do or think is beyond their interest. They are control freaks.
there is nothing the democrat won't tax…
Thank God it finally happened for too long now Christmas trees have been getting away scott free finally someone had the courage to put a tax on these trees. If it's a democrat and the item in question is taxable somehow whether it moves or not will eventually get taxed you can count on it.
Can we all say "Impeach".
So someone sells 1000 trees and the feds get a whopping $150? Why burden the seller for such a piddly amount? And doesn't the power to tax lie with congress alone? Obama doesn't care – he does whatever he likes, period.
Don't worry – we're the government and we're here to help.
Does this mean we can say Merry Christmas now?
Since Christmas is a religous holiday, how is this not a viloation of 'seperation of church and state'?
The article didn't mention artificial trees purchased at Walmart but there must be some silly justification for doing so. Obama better hurry as some people have already purchased them and they are good for years. Oh well, the kid can't think of everything.
Democrats Catholicism tax!
How does the "Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996" give the Executive Branch the authority to impose a tax, an authority the constitution reserves to the Legislative Branch?
No surprise here.
Does anyone really believe this money goes to want they say it's intended for?
Thank the Republicans for creating the need for such a tax. They have done nothing to help this economy and only know how to contribute to it's demise.
Another solution in search of a problem.
Wow. The guy is a genius. How can anyone complain that he openly discriminates against Christians and subtly promotes islam after he does so much to improve the image of the Christmas tree industry?
Oh just wait till we see what else is in the bill that is be shoved on us yet again. Grinch Don't be fooled we will let our children know. I bet your daughters would be proud of you, no wander you don't let them see the news.
CHEESE AND RICE…GOT ALL MUDDY!!!…….OBAMA HAS GOT TO GO…..REALLY LOW LIFE TO PLACE A TAX ON CHRISTMAS TREES!!!! NEXT HE WILL TAX PRAYER…..
I'll just buy a "HOLIDAY" tree or a "SOLSTICE" tree…… no tax!
Are u sure this is't supported by the Christmas tree growers? There may be many farmer who see this kind of marketing good for the industry. We can always use an increase in the export market for cut trees. And we the growers are paying for it.
I've noticed a few comments asking whether this story is legitimate. I researched the provisions from the Code of Federal Regulations cited in the article.
THE REFERENCES ARE ACCURATE.
The regulation (and the government's laughable justifications) can be read online at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-11-08/pdf/20…
Does it really say Christmas tree? Then I guess, since the federal government by way of the president, recognizes it as Christmas then we can do away with all the holiday tree and happy holiday greetings and go back to Merry Christmas and having a Christmas Season again.
No way this is real.
This bunch gets dumber by the nano second. It takes my breath away!
I propose NOT TO BUY A TREE if one read dime of a tax is one it , let Obama eat them all
just another way to rob the people your either going to buy a tree or not i'm sure the board that it funds will cost far more then what the growers will get
Couldn't the chirstmas tree business just take that 15 cents and promote " imaging and marketing" itself?
This is so stupid you can't make this stuff up.
The National Christmas Tree Association already undertakes everything that the department of agriculture is proposing.
This constitutes an abuse of 7 USC 7401 and only promotes needless corporate welfare.
http://www.christmastree.org http://us-code.vlex.com/vid/commodity-promotion-a…
Great. Now we'll have to call them "HOLIDAY TREES."
http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/11/08/3510091/c…
For the real story. The program was started in 2008 under Bush, at the request of the tree growers.
I read the link, and that's not what it says. The program began this year.
External lobbying of the agricultural department began three years ago — which is why I assume you're blaming Bush.
15 cent fee on my $50 tree. I can't afford that! That's a 'tax' of almost 1/3 of one percent!
So much for being "green" – so now the Agriculture Dept is encouraging an industry that cuts down millions of trees every year that end up in landfills? Wouldn't it make more sense to support less wasteful alternatives?
Since the tax is at the grower level it will be marked up several times before retail, so it will cost consumers more than $0.15. Also, the average cost of a tree is way below $50.
Oh i didn't know the Christmas tree had a bad image. So just explain how this new control mechanism is going to help. Tax my tree, new filings oh wait its a fee new filings for the sellers growers raising the cost. Now what is this new fee going to to do for us???? Grinch
1. It's not a Christmas tree. That infers Christ which is strictly forbidden in all things govt… let's get this right… It's a holiday tree.
2. Can there now be any doubt that the blotted, obese federal govt is completely unchecked. Think about it,, an entire bureaucracy funded by a tax no one voted on and created to do nothing more than stroke their respective chins and harumph about selling Christmas trees… errr. holiday trees… thank God…errrrr Washington DC for helping us decide how, where and when to buy our trees….without them, good grief what would we do…oh what would we do… Tell me, will this tree have a "green" stamp on it…. And some democrats will look you straight in the eye and tell you that this govt can't survive any budget cuts…. B$…. 20% right off the top, starting with this idiotic farce.
This seals the deal. I've lobbied for a fake tree for the last ten years, the mess and everything. This is great for selfish people like me- it pushes the wife over the edge to buy a fake. Not so good for the XMAS tree industry. I feel a tingle up my leg, like Chris Matthews-It's jobs being lost.
It seems that the industry is in support of this "self taxation" from what I can find on the National Christmas Tree Association website. Research for yourself, but I think the portrayal of this as a tax imposed by the Obama Administration is not accurate. http://www.christmastree.org//checkoffbackgrounde…
Another attempt to tax Americans into prosperity. What a leader!
What a explitive jerk the Chicago thug is.
Sorry, but that's $.15 too much. I'll be cutting down my own tree this year–from some BLM land somewhere–and I'll pay NOTHING!
We are OVERtaxed already. The "G" has collected ENOUGH of our money already! No more. Not one thin dime for these commie usurpers.
Starve the evil beast! Hide your money, avoid ALL taxes.
Seriously people? Is it that bad that the president is creating any sort of jobs albeit for this random and very niche sector? First of all, its 15 cents, Christmas trees are on average $20 to $30. This revenue comes form people obviously invested in a Christmas tree somehow who either want to see the farms which grow them stay open and prosper or are the farmers themselves who rely on sales for livelihood. Taxing a market in order to grow that market and simultaneously create some much needed jobs is NOT A BAD THING!
I followed a link to this story from Drudge. After the first few sentences I returned to the top of the page to make sure I wasn't reading The Onion. You have got to be kidding me! I could say that this has to represent the absolute depth of stupidity of the Obama Administration, but I know that I would soon be proven wrong.
I'm sure if the government stayed out of the way the Christmas tree people will do just fine marketing their product – after all, they have been in business longer than there has been a federal government.
Actually, the President does NOT have the legal right to impose this tax.
According to the Constitution, taxes have to be initiated in and passed by the legislature, not the Executive Branch. Not only is this a tax; it's also a tax that is not legal.
Here are comments from the Christmas Tree Farmers regarding the bill.
http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=AMS-F…
I lust don't know what to say just unbelievable
Surely this is a joke!
OTOH, to avoid the Christmas tree tax on real trees, people will buy fake trees, made in CHINA!
I really can't believe this guy.
I'm so steamed about this…I'm now wondering if I unknowingly paid a tax on my Halloween Pumpkins…
Government destroys the image of the Chrismas tree and then funds more government to try to fix its image. Let me know how that works out!
this CAN'T be real….
Technically this is a self imposed fee by the National Christmas Tree Association that they give to the USDA. Basically, the members are putting money in a pot to for a combined marketing campaign. They've been losing money to fake and imported trees over the past few years. They actually started the ball rolling on this in 2008. This is no different than what the Milk industry did with "Got Milk?" or the pork industry with "Pork: The other white meat". They all had similar fees on their products. With all the real problems out there this story is a waste of time.
After reading "The purpose of the Board is…" did anybody else automatically fill in "to increase the number of people whose livelihoods depend on government spending."
Since when did the Christmas tree need the Federal Government to be its image consultant? This is really a niche market, either a Christmas celebrant likes natural trees for Christmas or they don't. It's going to be a hard sell to the American public that this is a worthwhile program. It's not like they're going to be able to convince those who don't celebrate Christmas that they need to buy a Christmas Tree. It just doesn't make sense, unless of course, Obama is getting government into the Christian missionary business too.
Dear Santa,
I want a brand new president for Christmas. The one I have broke.
So if you call it a 'holiday' tree does that mean it won't be taxed?
#headdesk
I hope that the MAJORITY of you people are happy, since the MAJORITY of you people voted for this clown.
This is just the excuse I needed to go cut a tree down in the woods near my house. No tax. Free tree… the way God intended.
I thought they were called "Holiday Trees"
So, a Xmas tree tax so Dept. of Ag. can convince us to buy Xmas trees we already bought. Sure, why not?
This administration is fashioned after the movie "Wag the Dog" and it's manifesting in reality right before our eyes.
I shouldnt be surprised. A christmas tree tax! Whats next for them to tax?
Where are the "P C" police when we need them? A Christmas tree? Wow. Nothing like trying to get re-elected by mentioning that word. I wonder how the low income people can buy a live tree. On second thought, man in the White House, keep it up. You think you're gaining votes doing this stuff?
David S. Addington,
You had the temerity to say this ??????!!!!!
"And, by the way, the American Christmas tree has a great image that doesn’t need any help from the government."
Real Christmas tree sales have been declining almost continuously since the 1960's when Charlie Brown complained about it. Remember the little green tree and the blanket? If you had done any research at all before writing this you might have found that the tree farmers asked for this board, in 2008, that is before Obama was sworn in, as if that would matter to you. So the farmers, believe they need help, selling trees, employing people and you don't. Who are we to believe? You, or the farmers themselves?
are religions tax exempt? have your local christian church sell them.
I thought this was an article from The Onion.
he is the lump of coal in all of our stockings
He should tax himself, as he is the one with the image problem… what next, tax Christmas presents?
Somehow ACORN has to have roots in this shady scam.
Here's an idea, and one that will raise some sorely needed funds for his reelection campaign, in this, our time of need:
See, we can have every family return to the city of the husband's birth some time towards the end of December and levy this tax on the first born male children of each family. That way the money can be collected used for, uh, "infrastructure investment" based on their home towns. The money will already be where it's supposed to be. To ensure everybody pays their "fair share" (TM), certain members of society will be exempt. That is, the unemployed, union members, teachers, registered Democrats, the morally challenged, and members of Congress.
He really wants out of his job LOL He is trying as hard as he can to get fired!!!!!!!!
Based on Obama's logic, if I buy an artificial Christmas Tree, technically speaking, I should be able to pay that tax with monopoly money.
OK, this is serious now: whoever votes for this idiot Communist wannabe dictator is officially insane.
This by the same group that wants to do away with the word "Christmas" in everything inlcuding Christmas trees. I guess it's ok to call it that when it comes to lining money in the government's pockets.
I pray that this is just a joke. All this administration has done is tax tax tax and we are falling deeper and deeper as a nation. We don't need some man who doesn't even celebrate Christ, much less Christmas, impose this "fee" so we can be indoctrinated on the government's view of Christmas trees…
Why can't this intelligent admnistration take $ 0.15 from every Kool-aid drinker. We have paid enough extra!
You mean "holiday tree" tax, don't you?
Okay, first of all, I highly doubt this is for real… Most posts like this are only posted to incite hatred for whatever politician is the 'bad guy of the week'… This is the internet, people… Anyone who takes ANY of this 100% seriously should come buy the ocean-view property in Kansas I'm trying to sell.
But if it IS real… It is only 15 cents more on the ENTIRE TREE, not PER DOLLAR…. So think about it… If you pay $20 for a CHEAP tree, what the F is an extra 15 cents? (Answer: .008% tax… Yea… That's a three figured DECIMAL… almost 1% of 1% of the total cost, and that's a CHEAP TREE.) I have a nickel and dime in the cup holder in my car that has been sitting there for about a YEAR, not to mention likely about 5 or 6 more dollars worth of change on the floor, in the seats, and in the storage tray. And that 15 cents is to be paid BY THE DEALER, so if the dealer has any sort of BRAINS, he'd alter the price of the tree to reflect the tax so the consumer never even SEES the tax. (Mark down the COST of producing the tree without lowering its actual SALE price, and BAM! they have surplus to pay the tax, and the consumer never even notices a difference….)
People, he has no power to institute a new tax. That's the responsibility of the House. Look it up in the Constitution. This is usurpation of powers, and impeachable.
Dimmitude per chance?
This is another Obama job stimulous card from up his sleeve
Jus how many Obama flunkies will there be on the
"Program" payroll.
Vote Republican. Vote smaller government. Repeal the Christmas tree tax.
well, drudge put the headline on his site so you know it has to be true.
.
.
i was being facetious.
watch out Clark Griswold!
Vote for smaller government. Repeal the Christmas tree tax.
Wait! We need to set up a committee (with tax $) to oversee the programs productivity, then broaden the reach to LOW income bracket (more tax $) so THEY TOO can afford a tree, then when it all goes bankrupt- just bail him out (which causes more tax $) !!!!
Brilliant!
If he gets away with this taxing of Christmas Trees, next he'll be taxing Easter Eggs, and Thanksgiving Turkeys.
Maybe we should tax him every time he goes golfing, or takes a vacation, or uses his TelePrompTers?
Next New Tax… Thanksgiving Day Prayers! Then Easter Eggs!
This is a smart idea. 15 cents in nothing and it will help the Christmas Tree industry in a weak economy. Remember folks this is just one very small idea amongst others. Interesting how the right goes out of their way to dig up whatever looks bizarre to them upon superficial analysis.
So, did anyone else realize he waited until AFTER the capitol tree and white house trees were paid for?
OMG!! This clown wants another 4 years. Anyone that supports this and it's creator are just foolish.
We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.
But is there a Christmas tree Czar yet?
Let's all boycot the fresh Christmas tree and buy artifical trees.
This is a joke – right?
I would really like the job of Christmas Tree tax Czar if possible…please?
Why would an islamo-marxist want to screw with Christmas?
TRANSLATION:
IF YOU VOTE FOR OBAMA IN 2012, YOU ARE AN ENEMY OF THE U.S.
Are we having a problem with selling Christmas trees? And will there be sales people, and decorative advisers hired by Obama at all the Christmas tree lots? and where were my pumpkin patch beautification taxes?
Next will be a 2-cent tax every time you wish someone a "Merry Christmas."
O = One
B = Big
A = A**
M = Mistake
A = America
Get it Right in 2012!!
And what did Bush do to curtail Executive Power, making something like this impossible? Oh, right, the exact opposite.. What's good for the partisan is good for the partisan, remember that..
I bet $20 the federal governments idea of improving the image of the Christmas tree has to do with making Christmas more secular and continuing their war against Christian holidays and institutions.
I've been using gas pump activism to beat Obama. Putting decals on gas pumps, on store coolers, drive thru screens, inside menus, etc. They say "These high prices brought to you by Barack Obama" with his picture next to it. They're reusable and leave no residue (no worries about vandalism) I get them at gconservative.com feels great everytime I put one up somewhere.
Wow now, just give him a chance to retract what he said and I'm sure he'll be calling it a Holiday Tree by week's end!!
Well, 28.2 million Christmas trees were sold in the US in 2010. Multiply that by 15 cents. Quite a tidy profit for big ugly bloodsucker brother.
Gee thanks Mr. President, we dont have jobs and now we cant afford to buy a Christmas tree with this new tax, they weere already expensive to begin with, thanks for helping us out
The old scrooge, this could only add a little more hardship for the poor folks.
Riverside County here in California just passed a tax on the sun today…I bet you think I'm kidding, too. This is totally out of control.
'if you feel cold, I'll tax the heat,
drive your car, I'll tax the street…'
1967 Revolver, the Beatles
I am wondering if the fee can be cancelled if I just call the tree a "Holiday Tree?"
Yeah, this has already been debunked….
tax only applies to flocked trees… so whitey pays
non-flocked trees are exempt
How about a tax on voting to improve the image of the right to vote. Most Americans take the right to vote for granted and a maketing tax would sure help
Or what about a taxing people who listen to President Obama campaign speeches? The way the President's Poll numbers are dropping, he really needs a federal program to support his image.
Christmas tree tax to improve the image of Christmas trees? Such statement is contradicted in Logic 101.
I wonder, in which of his supporter will pocket the millions collected from this.
I would not put the oal in his stocking….
I'm an atheist and I put up an xmas tree. I am NOT a believer in the ridiculous Christian superstition. Still, I belong to the culture and I have zero problem with this idea.
incredulous with the world where it is this is a soulution to what?
The government has become its own corporation. Its own bank. Its own marketer. Its own revenue generator. Its own employer.
I'm a libertarian, by the way, not some left-wing loon.
But I can't fail to notice that the government cannot refrain from abusing force to rig the economy. It's sickening. Absolutely sickening. And it's got to stop.
http://rogueoperator.wordpress.com/
Here we go "occupy my Christmas tree"
When (or if) someone gets to the bottom of this, my bet is that there is some big Democrat donor who stands to make out big from this. This administration operates like most third-world dictatorships, shuffling money to the leader and his pals till they get thrown out.
Why not put a 15 cent tax on Goldman Sachs everytime they make a flash trade on wall street or sell one of there bogus derivatives. Our national debt would go from 15 trillion dollars to zero in about a month.
I'd almost say "unbelievable", but given the current admin – it's all too believable. Not one cent for the fund from me! I still have a living tree that we miraculously haven't killed over the past 3 seasons.
BTW – this is not so much environmental on our part as it is my being cheap. It was a live tree at Home Depot for $20 a few days before Christmas and the few nasty looking cut trees that they still had were going for $35+. A few years of water and careful grooming has made it quite lovely.
Only Congress has the power to lay taxes.
I think the christmas tree farmer can promote his own image. They don't need to be taxed to do it.. Just another method to get into the pocket of every person.
What an incredible leader. Wow. Genius. We are so lucky to have this man at the helm.
hmmph ill just continue to jump a fence and cut my own.
But, we can pay for his campaign this time around!! NOBAMA 2012
You want to promote the Christmas Tree, preach the gospel. Tell people that Jesus, God's own son was born in Bethlehem, lived a perfect life, and laid it down on the cross as a holy sacrifice so that we could be accepted by God the Father despite our sins. Believe in him and you will be saved…. I think if that were the message, one would not have to worry about the Christmas Tree industry.
This was begun in 2008 under the Bush administration. "In February 2008, faced with declining sales, members of the National Christmas Tree Association created a task force to consider the merits of a checkoff program, which would allow the USDA to collect a fee from growers in order to fund research into marketing Christmas trees. . . In April 2008, NCTA officials announced the formation of a task force to continue studying the merits of a checkoff program. As explained in the Fall 2008 edition of Christmas Trees, a leading Christmas tree magazine, fee levels are established by industry — not government — and commodity growers frequently partner with the USDA for marketing and research checkoffs."In April 2008, NCTA officials announced the formation of a task force to continue studying the merits of a checkoff program. As explained in the Fall 2008 edition of Christmas Trees, a leading Christmas tree magazine, fee levels are established by industry — not government — and commodity growers frequently partner with the USDA for marketing and research checkoffs." from http://mediamatters.org/blog/201111090001
This is onion, no? Seriously, this must be the onion, they just made a different page…
Not the onion?
Ok,I did not agree to be flipped into some alternate reality! I wanna out of the asylum!
Next, all Christmas tree sellers will have to join a union.
Thank goodness that nobody making less than $250,000 per year ever buys real Christmas Trees, we wouldn't want President Obama to renege on his 2008 campaign promise to not raise taxes on anybody making less than that. Oh wait, he already did that just two weeks into his presidency when he signed the S-CHIP legislation which raised tobacco taxes, Oh yes, there's more, the 10% tanning tax (took effect in 2010) that he signed that was sneaked into the Obamacare legislation ("Let's pass the bill so we can see what's in it" – Nancy Pelosi).
Let's see. 14.5 cents will go to administrative costs and .5 cents go to advertisement. Around my home people who sell trees put up a sign that says "Christmas trees for sale" and do quite well.
Scrooge Obama and his Grinch adminstration have figured out a way to tax Christmas.
It's time to give these nut cases their pink slips!
Yes. The image of the "Christmas tree" is in serious need of federal assistance.
Sounds like Scrooge
There is a Christmas tree farm in Ohio that is very large. It is out in the country. A beautiful place, especially when it snows. I have a family member who went every year for a Christmas tree. This place is huge. You can walk to the back lot or take a tractor ride with a very large wagon. Now every time my family member would go each year, there was a lot of people going in search of their tree. So, the question I have for the Obama administration, WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I mean a Christmas tree tax to improve the promotion of the Christmas tree market, REALLY? I do believe Christmas tree sales have been going quite well. Why? HELLO, OBAMA IT"S CHRISTMAS! This is just one of your sneaky, yes sneaky taxes that you are enforcing with your administration. What happened to the concern of our, (well maybe not your) country going down the tubes because of your policies? Let me refresh your memory…unemployment, obamacare, transparent administration, solyndra, fast and furious, not to mention a few. But yes, your concern is a stinking 15 cent tax on fresh Christmas to fund the better marketing of Christmas trees. Oh yeh, that's a priority! Merry Christmas Mr. Obama Scrooge!
Did I accidentally skip to a page from The Onion?
He's trying to push us over the edge, on purpose. Watch out for martial law.
Now that we've got that pesky Light Bulb thing handled, on to the tree. Nothing surprise me from the left anymore.
Charley Brown's Christmas Tree Story has done more for promoting and sparking the image of Christmas Trees (private promotion without government regulation intervention and layers of overpaid beurocratic hacks), Charles Schulz, the creative genius of this story, earned the right and won the hearts and minds of Americans. Government, never could or should attempt to be creative…because just like it's inability to solve our economic problems, government promotion of anything ends up being a real downer with it's uninspiring politically correct groupthink and mediocrity of the lowest common denominator signifying nothing.
This is so stupid that you might as well laugh him out of office.
Hey wait a minute….that's my job
Haha Christmas palm tree for us this year! Where do they get these ideas.
Tree Party, anyone?
But wait! According to BO's class warfare mantra, the rich should pay more than $0.15
I propose (sarcasticly, of course) that our W-2s be produced to the sellers when purchasing our tree so the Christmas Tree Gestapo (CTG) to calculate your tax burden before approving your purchase. Maybe BO can produce (at a mere cost of .0025% of the GDP) a sliding scale fee chart for the poor tree salesmen to use to insure they can shake down the "wealthy" tree salesmen living in a dumpy trailer on the lot for 60 days.
Yeah. Everyone selling a Christmas tree that doesn't give fourteen cents to Obama is now a criminal.
I don't care if it's a $0.01 fee. This is absolutely outrageous, if it's true. How does anyone but Congress have the power to add fees or taxes. This will not stand!!!!!
what happened to seperation of Church and State or do liberals only count that when they can't Tax it
*********THIS TAX IS ONLY APPLIED ON PEOPLE MAKING MORE THAN $250,000 A YEAR, RIGHT?!*********
SO MANY LAWS TO BE REPEALED – AND SO LITTLE TIME – WHERE DO WE START????
WAS THIS DONE WITHOUT A VOTE? WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND ON THIS LAW? WHO IS (ARE) THE RESPONSIBLE PROMOTERS IN CONGRESS???? ANSWERS – WE NEED ANSWERS!!!!
The author writes that 'nobody is saying President Obama doesn't have the authority to impose his new Christmas Tree Tax'. May I add that back in the mid 18th Century, nobody questioned that King George had the authority to impose a tax on tea either. Kings, Emperors, and Dictators are rarely questioned.
If you're going to tax Christmas trees, let's really get creative with the new tax fad. I suggest aspecial tax on every household's Thanksgiving Dinner, a double tax on all Christmas gifts purchased during the holiday season, and a triple tax on all alcoholic beverages purchased to celebrate New Year's Eve. What a jolly "Ho-Ho-Ho" season this can then be! Folks , the Grinch is alive and well in the White House.
Bah Humbug. Down with Madison Avenue commercialism. Add a tax to something to promote it…it is no wonder this country is beyond broke.
Is this the FOUNDRY….or the ONION ?
LOL, the people of America has elected the Grinch as President.
I'm officially buying a fake tree this year. You've already hurt the christmas tree industry by one sale this year Mr. Obama.
Wait a minute, I missed the punchline.
I think Christmas is a Christian holiday. Mr. Obama is violating the Separation of Church and State tenents which his party is so found of involking every time there is a mention of anything Christian. I suggest he put a $1.99 tax on Winter Holiday trees. This way his followers can feel superior to us lowly Christians while they support the new federal beaurocracy and we enjoy our tax free Christmas trees.
The best thing Obama could do to brighten up the Christmas Tree industry is stick one up his ass
hope and change, from your pocket
I think it is meant to address the unequal distribution of ornaments on America's Christmas trees.
Well, there's an adage that says follow the money. If the Feds aren't getting the revenue generated, who is? This should get more play in the media as Christmas approaches, it won't, but it should.
Easter Bunny Beware—you are next !!!!!
So how is it the Department of Agriculture has gained this power to levy taxes? I thought only Congress could levey taxes. This has to be unconstitutional. If $0.15 per tree, why not $10.00 per tree? Why not tax hay used in Menorahs or sheep and asses. How about a camel tax, too. God help me; I'm starting to sound like a politician.
People probably thought I was nuts when I mentioned him taxing my blessings from God. He's getting closer.
So when is the Santa tax coming? http://911essentials.com
Now now, I'm sure that 15 cent tax will cover the wages of 250 new government employees and all their perks.
Oh great another tax. Well this will just send consumers out to buy more Chinese made artificial trees killing another "Made in America" market.
Ridiculous. More vote buying by Obama along with his $1 billion cell phone handout that has been a boon to the drug trade. But hen again Obama is a coke head and maybe not just former.
I'm not buying a Christmas tree this year.
The Democrats can not pass any chance to add tax on any of there stupididy, and they should be taxed on ever getting the wild thoughts. There is no need to impeach them for all of these wild thoughts.May we remind them of the tax on phones was added by Fat GORE for the phones if the people did not have phones because if they did not have due to poverty and to this day it was not repealed. We should force tax on all the congressman if they ever have thoughts of running for office ever. We should not allow them to be in office after 3 terms in congress or Senate.
Think I'll go cut down myself a 6' foot tall Christmas tree up in north Georgia, the way my dad & mom did it when I was a kid. Let's see them tax that (lol)
If you let this Government control any aspect of your life, it will eventually control ALL aspects of your life. Piece by piece and relentlessly. And you wonder why there aren't any jobs? It's because all business is frozen still like deer in headlights…
You've got to be kidding me!!!
i thought it was now called HOLIDAY season. Not Christmas any more. So how can Obama impose such a tax on something that doesn't exist in the liberal world???
Resist we much!
100 trees = one muffin.
By the way, there should have been a (sic) notation in the quotation from the Federal Register. I surely hope this was a transcription error and isn't wrong in the government documents. If it is wrong in the federal register, it simply shows this is some bureaucrat looking for his $2 million budget. The intent would be to "expand", not "expend" the use of trees.
Or maybe not…
too funny.
Dhimmitude, plain and simple!
Well. As long as he sticks to the IMPORTANT stuff…
*snark*
Please stop the sensationalizing in TITLES. The tax is 15 CENTS per tree NOT 15% (unless the tree is a dollar)
Making Congress irrelevant, one regulation or EO at a time!
Eating the "elephant" one small bite at a time! We are the ELEPHANT.
The money will be used to tell every one what to do not selling trees
fifteen cent per tree? this is journalism? not even worth posting this, youre a tool. and so am i for reading this.
Thanks Scrooge!
This is a subtle way to do away with Christmas trees…even if the growers want the tax. Peo
A joke, right?
To save customers money, we'll have to call them "Holiday" trees!
love it! You people don't seem to mind paying $50 for a tree that lasts a few weeks…max..but, you cry about paying 15 cents more? Do you actually "believe" the tree will now have a price tag of $50.15?! YOU won't be charged for this, the seller will absorb this cost/tax! Trust me, they already make enough per tree..
What a nation of whiners I live in.
**taxation without representation**
Constitutionally; the congress is the only governing body with express powers to lay and collect levies, not the president. The president hasn't the power to tax anything; without it first being passed by the people of the country (Congress)…. how about consent of the governed? This tax is capricious and arbitrary!
A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have – T. Jefferson
What's next, a Easter Egg tax for the promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Easter Egg industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Easter Eggs; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Easter Egg industry?
Seriously, I had to check if it was April 1 today.
Some bureaucrat trying to justify her job.
More government! The cry of the liberals… more government! So Obama creates yet another board to do something that doesn't need to be done, but it makes him feel useful. So it's 15 cents, now, but where will it lead to? They'll soon find out it's not enough money coming in when it's time for the board to vote itself a nice pay raise. Apart from this, Christmas is a Christian holiday (even if non-Christians celebrate it, too). A lawsuit is needed to put a stop to Obama's foolishness. I feel, though, that this whole thing is a joke and the White House will deny any knowledge of it.
if you think this tax is a big deal, if you lived here in maryland, like i do, i think youd go nuts on my property tax,$7000 a year for a 4 bed room home, 1/5 of n acre, 1/2 my morgage if just the property tax! we get no street cleaning , no leaf pick up in the fall, no side walks on my street, we do not have enough cops for the traffic control, when it snows there are not enough plows, the bike paths are in need of repair , i could go on n on, so if your so upset over 15 cents, give me a break , i got bigger problems, had to rent rooms to pay my morgage, i also got my pay check n it got cut because where not making enough to pay me, 15 cents, who cares!!
NOVEMBER 2012 CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH!!
I don't need my government to promote Christmas Trees. I need the government to protect our borders, deliver the mail on time (well that's not so important anymore) and deal in matters of foreign concerns. LESS government. Good grief.
Who cares about the image of Christmas trees?! Waste of time and money!
I didn't realize it was April Fool's Day….what's next? The Easter Egg Tax? The Halloween Costume Tax? The Thanksgiving Turkey Tax? Give me a freakin' break. OTOH….this kind of thing does help solidify his status as a Single Termer. Keep it up!
This is only the beginning of new attemptsby Obama to control the market-place.
Besides he can c-r-e-a-t-e more "govment jobs" for his cronies on the left.
More than likely a union idea/program.
This smells like a test…if his majesty can arbitrarily add a tax to Christmas trees, why not Bibles, dog food, hamburger or anything else? Remember Obamacare where everyone has to participate? And remember, the innocuous $0.15 will require $0.35 to administrate.
Since many of the Christmas tree places are run by Cub Scouts or other charities, he is essentially placing a tax on them….wow…
Great, here's a new tax for us….
I've held off buying a fake Christmas tree. This year, I'm getting one. Congress has the power to levy taxes. Not the president, and not the Secretary of Agriculture. I will not be made to pay another unconstitutional tax.
Nicely done Obama! Standing up to Big Christmas and their powerful Christmas Tree Lobby. Drone attacks on the North Pole next.
The National Christmas Tree Association (http://www.christmastree.org/) already does this.
The National Christmas Tree Association (http://www.christmastree.org/) already does this.
The National Christmas Tree Association (http://www.christmastree.org/) already does this.
The National Christmas Tree Association (http://www.christmastree.org/) already does this.
The National Christmas Tree Association (http://www.christmastree.org/) already does this.
The National Christmas Tree Association (http://www.christmastree.org/) already does this.
The National Christmas Tree Association (http://www.christmastree.org/) already does this.
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on Christmas Trees, the money of their constituents.”
James Madison
Funny…coming from a White House that refers to 'Christmas trees' in the White House as 'Holiday trees', and trees that 'sport' glass ornaments with pictures of Mao on them!!!!! How low can this adminastration go??? Pretty D@mn LOW, it appears! And going lower each and EVERY DAY!_
just add this to the endless list of why NO ONE should vote for this socialist next Nov! Keep the list handy like your x-mas list and pass it on to everyone you know
Just where in the Constitution is the job of advertising holiday symbols for the common good stressed? If you want to get people to stop a behavior, tax it. This bizzarre "fee" will raise the cost of buying dead trees which are already prohibitively expensive, divert money to the Feds that should be in the private sector, and end up enriching a few advertisers.
Is this for real? A joke, right???
christmas tree.
not "non-denominational" tree, not "don't-offend-the-aethists-tree", not "happy holidays" tree.
for once, obama called a spade a spade.
:-)
This sounds like a Saturday Night Live skit.
Seriously?
Joke? The only "joke" is a) Oblame-a and b) the mouth-breathers who voted him into office and will vote for him again.
WHY would anyone vote for Obummer twice? Because you can't fix stupid, folks.
NOTICE TO THE SUPER COMMITTEE!
Since you seem to be having problems coming up with the required cuts in spending, you might want to at least start here and with other similar bureaucratic activities.
I'm just sayin!
Too bad we can't put a tax on Obama's stupid ideas…all our problems would be solved!
*facepalm
Irregardless isn't this the Christmas Tree Growers Association and the growers themselves responsibility?
I'll bet the regulations on the sellers are 3 pages thick as well. Un Friggin beleivable!
Garanteeed to make Federal Criminals out of a nother segment of our society, through regulation.
12 more months of this CLOWN….. Hopefully.
you're a mean one. Mr. Grinch!
This sounds like the movie "Dave", where they discover we have a giant government program to make people feel good about cars they already own!
Isn't this like taxing candy or puppies? You really know how to take the fun out of living here, don't you, Big Guy?
So he's taxing us to "improve the image and marketing" of Christmas trees??? Seriously??? You can't make this stuff up!
Holy Christmas tree Batman! Pow! Zap that tax!! Let's throw that Prez into the bat cave!!
Good thing there are no Christmas Trees anymore. PC changed them to Holiday Trees – no tax on those!
Can you believe this!!
Our ever expending government – and usually for no good reason
So does this mean POTUS will send out a "Christmas" card and actually wish people a Merry Chrsitmas this year opposed to his typical "Happy Holiday" greeting
And for this, they only let me give you ONE thumbs up? Tragedy.
For the stores that buy over 500 Christmas trees, there is a way around this stupid tax. WalMart, Home Depot, and stores like Lowes are stuck. But for the medium size, one stop seller, I am sure he has friends and each can buy 499 Christmas trees and just put up a different sign on the same property. Then, the Feds will have to send out hundreds of IRS agents to check the facilities and make sure the tax is paid. And this won't cost the government a cent? Gimme a break
Everybody calm down. This is how we are going to get out of debt. Brilliant idea! :D
Wow! Just wow.
Well that certainly add additional NEW jobs lol, but NOT as many as it will reduce among tree sellers and their stffs, I for one WILL NOT be buying a live tree, artifical here my money comes!
Yet another segment of business taken over by the federal government. Since when is it a Constitutional activity of the federal government to promote any business especially Christmas tree growers and sellers. Then, use this takeover as justification for a new tax. America is lost. Too many fools support this anti-American way of thinking. I suppose there's some Christmas tree union that Obama wanted to stroke.
really Obama..really????
A tax to "enhance the image of Christmas trees"? This is so bogus. The image of Christmas trees does not need enhancing by government. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if government somehow diminishes the image as a result of this program.
To bad "stupid" couldn't be taxed, taxing democrats alone could solve the national debt crisis…….
First, the administration can't "impose" a tax without it being passed by congress. Second, this article doesn't say anything at all about "Holiday Trees." thebraverepublic.com
I wonder how many Christmas tree selling jobs will be lost.
And, hey, shouldn't this be called a Holiday tree tax ?
I'm sure the actual administrative cost will be at least twenty cents. That's how the federal government works!
delaware elder
"President Obama’s Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge…"
The Ag Dept? We need to pass a law that re-affirms that it is illegal for faceless federal agencies to impose taxes.
I REALLY hope this is a joke……..even my 10 year old son says that Obama is doofus
What happened to the "separation of Church and State"…..
Obama needs to go!!!! A tax to cover the "marketing costs" of fresh Christmas trees? We are truly living in a world gone mad!!!!
There is actually a little more to the story– apparently it was the growers themselves who proposed the idea: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-110…
Democrats can't sleep thinking of ways to get their hands in to our pockets! I rarely use the word, but I must say, I HATE them for what they've done to this country.
About time!!! I always thought that the Christmas tree was getting a bad rap!!!
Chaching!!!…….Obama manages to drive another business ….'out of business'. How many small family farms depend on the sale of Christmas trees to survive these economic times? Obama doen't give a spit for them or this country as a whole. The more people, businesses, and opportunities he can destroy the closer he comes to destroying this nation. That has to be his fundamental goal for he doing it so well.
Jeesh this is asinine! I'm going to stretch the constitution the way the dems would and say that this is a violation of seperation church and state. The government has no right to try to improve the image of the Christmas tree, as Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. By helping this religion out and improving it's image, the government is endorsing Christianity's beliefs.
Wow, that argument sounds as ignorant as every other violation of church and state rant the dems go on…..they should all get on board immediately
The self-proclaimed 'warrior of the middle class' strikes again. The Christmas tree has a perfectly fine image. Leave it to politicians to destroy if for more of your hard-earned income.
You want less of something..you tax it.
This is a veiled attack on Christmas/Christians.
The Christmas tree has been doing just fine for centuries with out the government's "help".
Of course they are trying to promote christmas trees they detract from the Christian aspect of the holiday and add more government. It's a win win for the Obama administration.
Maybe they can use the new revenue to counter the bad press the new tax will cause.
when do we get the Christmas no no cant say that ..the holiday tree tzar?
Really? Taxing an industry to promote the product? This is a prime example of government being the problem not the solution.
That's it
! I'm starting the Christmas Tree Party. Keep government out of my TREE!
I saw where the Christmas Tree growers are all for this. Personally, every time a new tax is created with the government promoting a product, it just makes me less likely to buy the product. No it is not a lot of money, but I will go buy my first artificial tree. Just as people who refused to pay the $5 per month debit card fee by taking their money out of the bank and moving it over to a credit union, we can have an effect on government stealing more and more of our money.
Are they insane!?!?
Dear Santa,
All I want for Christmas is a new administration.
I can't believe this.. What else is he going to tax ?
YEA! please tax the candy and nuts too – and if that's not enough – tax wrapping paper and bows. Here's another idea – a Stocking hanging & Christmas carol tax. And for the president and the dimocrats and most in Hollywod, a STUPID idea tax – that would definitely wipe of the deficit.
Why not a tax on fake Christmas trees?
"impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees"
lol ahahahahahahaha
Step 1 : Tax
Step 2 : ??????
Step 3: Profit !
so let me get this straight… a tax is being charged for the purpose of promoting sales to generate more tax?
Will I be taxed if I buy a "Holiday" tree instead?
Taxing is all Democrats know how to do. If they could monitor our breathing, they'd tax us for every breath we take. I know a Christmas tree grower, and He's struggling as it is. This is not going to help him or our economy in any way.
Ain't this special.. Merry Christmas
I wonder how many Obama hacks can be hired @15 cents a tree?
The dumbest presidency ever!
If the Prez wants to enhance the image of Christmas trees, he doesn't need to impose a tax or form a new branch (no pun intended) for the forestry service. Just quit calling them "holiday trees"!
Good thing my tree farm only sells 499 trees a year… as far as the IRS knows.
I thought I'd gotten to the point where I could never be amazed anymore.
What is wrong with our federal government? The people are demanding cuts in spending, and they go ahead and create an utterly useless program that is going to waste money for nothing. I just wish some politicians had the guts to stand up to the institution and say enough is enough. Oh wait. Ron Paul would, but he's just a crazy old man right?
FUNNY STUFF, Might break my tree budget and my vision of the x-mas tree industry.
I am just going to look for my Christmas tree in the median of an Interstate. After all, I have already paid for this tree many times over, it is just a place for the cops to hide behind, and it is free.
I hate Christmas trees but if the gov started paying me 150,000 a year to promote the ugly things I would tell you why you should have them in your house at least twice a year. Christmas and Easter. lol oops forgot valentine day
Why mask their activities? Why only $0.15? We have money in our mattresses Obama!
This has to be a joke, right?
There ARE already Christmas Tree Grower Associations, generally in local or regional areas, and THEY DON'T CHARGE ANYONE BUT THEMSELVES. THEY administer, decide and implement promotions and public education. This is NOT a function of government but of citizens. President Obama, stop trying to infiltrate and "improve" every aspect of our lives!
Far from a tax initiated by the Obama administration, the proposal to create an assessment on tree growers to fund a research and promotion program through the USDA was begun by the industry during the Bush administration.
In February 2008, faced with declining sales, members of the National Christmas Tree Association created a task force to consider the merits of a checkoff program, which would allow the USDA to collect a fee from growers in order to fund research into marketing Christmas trees. NCTA officials explained:
While the fake tree industry is investing dollars to vigorously promote their product, the Real Tree industry is pulling back and devoting fewer funds to public relations and marketing. More than 1,000 people donated more than $900,000 for 2004 promotion and marketing programs. By 2007, donations to the market expansion activities had dropped to about $400,000. The erosion of funding resulted in fewer projects aimed at positively impacting consumer attitudes about Real Trees limiting the ability of the industry to affect the sales of Real Trees in the marketplace.
Given this continued erosion of the market share of farm-grown Christmas Trees, an industry task force is being formed to study the possibility of a federal marketing order that could establish a nationwide checkoff designed to support expanded promotion, marketing and research projects.
The NCTA Board of Directors supports the industry task force study of a federal marketing order.
Even if the industry decides to pursue a nationwide checkoff, it takes at least a year for USDA to follow its "rule making procedures." Thus, it is highly unlikely that a checkoff could start before 2010. In the interim, NCTA will engage in an aggressive promotion and protection program as funds allow.
The NCTA board urges members and non-members to be involved in the discussion and will schedule a town hall discussion at the 2008 national convention at which time the task force will give a report.
In April 2008, NCTA officials announced the formation of a task force to continue studying the merits of a checkoff program. As explained in the Fall 2008 edition of Christmas Trees, a leading Christmas tree magazine, fee levels are established by industry — not government — and commodity growers frequently partner with the USDA for marketing and research checkoffs:
Examples of other agricultural commodity Checkoffs include the egg, beef, pork, mushroom, milk, and honey, etc. industries. We're all familiar with the Dairy industry's ad campaigns; "Milk Does a Body Good" and "Got Milk." "Pork: the Other White Meat," "Beef: It's What's for Dinner" and "The Incredible Edible Egg" are recognizable slogans developed and funded by Checkoff programs. These four 'big guns' collect between $45 and $91.2 million in assessments annually.
Funding for promotions and research comes from within each industry. Fees could be assessed for example, in the Christmas tree industry, on a percentage of the selling price, per cut tree or per seedling basis. The amount of the assessment, who would participate, how the fees would be collected and how utilized, would be determined by the industry taskforce with the input of growers and attendees at the National Convention. Fresh imports (mainly from Canada) would be assessed at a comparable rate. As in other agricultural industries there would be exemptions for smaller growers. If the assessment is made on a cut tree basis, 4,000 trees has been discussed as a minimum. A percentage of the amount collected could go to state associations in proportion to the amount paid from within that state. The state association could utilize the funds for promotion and research abiding by the same rules as the national Checkoff organization. Hugh anticipates that Christmas tree assessments would be comparable to the amount raised by the blueberry industry, which is $2 million.
Thought I was reading The Onion for a minute, actually scrolled up to check. I had no idea my Christmas Tree had a bad image. I hope our government has done a full, spare no expense study to be sure $0.15 per tree is adequate. I sure would hope that my tree is not being picked on by the Minora (sp?) or the Festivus pole. Can we add this to the anti bulling campaign as well? Rolls eyes……….
Why is the federal govt getting in on this? Just what does it hope to accomplish? Putting fake tree makers out of business. Another Joke from the Obama Admin. A costly one at that. Congress needs to put a stop to these programs. Abolish agriculture dept now!
When you want less of something, impose a tax on it.
…by a foolish man!
OMG!!! You have got to be kidding.
So let me get this straight…As a consumer sitting in my home, I need to decide where to buy my Christmas tree, use my phone and call to inquire if they have trees in stock, get in my car to drive to the site (by way of the new toll road), stop and get something to eat on the way, go to the store to buy decorations and such, pick out the tree I want, and drive home to setup and decorate the tree.
So the amount of taxes I pay to do this – taxes right off the top on my wages (federal income tax, social security and medicare tax, and federal unemployment tax – and then there's the state and local income taxes), plus all the household taxes (property tax, school tax, county/road taxes, sales taxes when I purchased the home, etc) along with all the utilities fees and taxes (phone, cable, electric, gas/oil, trash/garbage pickup, water, etc), then there's the gas tax and the yearly registration taxes on my vehicle (along with the taxes on servicing my vehicle and purchasing oil and filters), plus the tolls I pay to drive roads that were built by using foreign companies, then there's the tax on restaurants and fast food joints – additional taxes in some states if I buy unhealthy food such as soda, and then I pay state (~6%) and local sales taxes (another ~2%) on all things I purchase to decorate my tree. So I'm finally at the site to purchase my tree (more state and local sales tax) and then drive home. And now they want an additional 15 cents???????
Seriously the 15 cents won't break most people, but the layers of taxes and fees is getting heavy enough to seem oppressive. Right now the only difference between being a free person (me) and a slave is that the government still allows me to choose where I buy my tree.
We are so screwed….and btw, this is not a comprehensive list but it would take to long to read through an entire list
Gee mr govt, you wanted me to go green so I bought an artificial tree…and now you can't
tax me….LOL….jokes on you (at least for this year)…
"Secretary of Agriculture will appoint a Christmas Tree Promotion Board"
Hmmmm. Ironically, this sure sounds tantamount to endorsing a religion by the Obama admin.
the grinch who taxed christmas!
I don't think it's only Christians that put up Christmas trees in this country…
ok. Christians and a few folks celebrating the solstice winter holiday…
Most Christmas tree lots I've seen typically sell out of trees a week or two before Christmas, so do they really need promoting?
Unbelievable!!! I fear for my grandchildren's future. We need the America back that we once had! Christmas tree tax??????? This has to be one more reason this president needs to be replaced!
OMG…………… Obama must go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First there was The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, now it's The Grinch Who Wrecks Christmas
A lump of coal is not what I had in mind…
Don't anybody say anything about the Easter Bunny…………………….
Anyone who thinks the planned government marketing campaign is intended to boost the image of "Christmas" trees is not seeing the real picture. The tendency of all governments (from local to federal) in the past several years is to reposition Christmas as the Winter Festival, with the clear emphasis on moving it from a Christian celebration to a multi-religious event. The marketing campaign will be all about boosting the image of "Winter Festival" trees regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Eid.
So, if government really wants to "improve the image" of the Christmas tree, why not try allowing it back in the public school so our kids can know it is a symbol of Christmas.
This is a part of a new checkoff program initiated by the Christmas tree industry to help promote trees…like "Got Milk?" from the Dairy association…believe it or not…Obama had nothing to do with it…that is the truth from someone inside the industry.
After the first 499 Christmas trees are sold, they should start selling Solstice trees, Festivus trees, and Hanukkah bushes.
Meister Burger Burger Meister…"zer vill be nooo toyz allowed!" "All Christmas trees vil be taxed!"
."better watch out, better not cry, better not pout, Im telling you why….."
What a Jack Wagon!!!
I am stabbing my eyes with scissors! Is this what we've come to? You couldn't write parody better than this if you tried. OMG!
Big oil, big tabacco,now big christmas tree. Whats next?
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
CHANGE FOR OBAMA!
Sing with me.
All I Want for Christmas is Another New Tax, Another New Tax.
All I Want for Christmas is Another New Tax.
Thank You very much Big Brother.
sounds like another 6 figure position for one of his union friends
Did the administration decide to do this before or after we were reminded us that he is 100% focused on creating jobs?
Obama Christmas tree tax!!! Are you joking!! And the majority of America voted for this clown!
Lump of something all right.
First what?
So our "green" president wants to get us all to cut down more trees?
I would expect nothing less from this "one". His war against the American people and the United States economy continues.
This tax is designed to SAVE this industry. The tree growers I know in Western North Carolina think this is a good idea. Did you bother to talk to them about it or is this just your big chance to say something preposterous like "Obama is taxing Christmas!" Get over yourself and tell the truth. This article is pathetic.
I will burn my tree this year. We should all burn our trees, on the Whitehouse lawn.
Obama is Scrooge and the Grinch, all rolled into one.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-110…
So they are charging 15 cents per tree to sell more trees? The first thing I thought was that makes me NOT want to buy a tree at all!
What is the image problem that Christmas trees supposedly have? And even if Christmas trees had an image problem, how does a tax improve that image? This is some good old fashioned Obama insanity.
So is fire wood taxable now too? or are they just putting a tax on celebrating Christ's birth.
I hope the sellers have pockets of change as the now $35 Christmas tree will now cost $35.15, so now they won't be walking around with a wad of bills to make change…….Ha
And you can bet Obamao will immediately begin referring to them as Holiday Trees in all promotional materials. Anything to get rid of that pesky Jesus character.
Christmas Tree Tax ? Is there anything President Bozo won't get his grubby fingers on ?
Well I see a prelit plastic tree coming my way for the sole reason to PROTEST yet another tax. This guy must run around with a notebook writting down everything he can think of to tax. I surprised he hasn't come up with a way to tax the air we ar e breathing but, I'm sure he's thinking of how to make that one work.
I see what they did – everyone who buys a fake cough"green movement"cough tree is to blame. Buying a fake tree cuts into the live Christmas tree business. The government must now step in and subsidize the Christmas tree farms because less Christmas trees are being sold and those farms (cue Agriculture Dept) are struggling. I think this year I will ask the guy at the tree lot where the 'holiday tree' section is…
He heard some people still have change in their pockets the gov't hasn't vacuumed out yet.
why not!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahha. just a nother little someway to increase the cost of Christmas. I think we all wish for the olden days, when this Holiday was celebrated with family and friends and the govt. did not get involved to take their shatre.
Sooo, tell me exactlly where in the Constitution any agency in the executive branch is empowered to establish a tax?????????????????????
Why not? Most libs aren't church going, God fearing folk anyway. They're not worried about a tax on christmas trees. Jeeze, a christmas tree tax………..how much more screwed up can our government be?
Thank you, Scrooge!!! What a loser!!
Sorry, I 'm saying he doesn,t have the authority to impose such a tax http://www.newswithviews.com/Roth/laurie290.htm
The man has no authority at all and if all he has to do is sit around and worry about the image our Christmas trees have then he might as well go on another one of his trips, I think he missed Monte Carlo.
Will the TAX be on the Grower, The Wholesaler or the Lot Retailer?
All three?
Thank heavens that the Obama Administration is finally working on something important! Frankly getting a little tired of all this hype about unemployment. Instead, I personally was getting worried that Christmas trees were not being promoted adequately during these last months of the year. After all, who would ever THINK of buying a Christmas tree in December? I'm sure that the administration's government-mandated marketing strategy will change all that. And for ONLY 15 cents a tree? I'm sure the tree growers are falling over themselves in an effort to thank His Highness for thinking of them. In fact, as these taxes continue to crop up, we can all be grateful to this administration for the attention they give us, each in our own turn. Pretty soon, we can all have our own industry tax so that we can be better at what we do.
By the way, I'm putting money on the next tax being eggs at Easter…
Today I learn that the administration is imposing a Christmas Tree Tax. The preposterous reason for this tax is “to improve the image and marketing of Christmas Trees.” Now let me get this right. Christmas is a yearly, MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR religious holiday recognized around the world. There are Christmas trees in images, icons, fresh cut or boxed, in every depiction, in every country that observes the holiday. Literally every town square and most government buildings. transportation hub, major department store, and the White House itself has a tree in it on that holiday.Yet for some reason this administration feels it necessary not only to tax, but to create an agency to enhance the image and marketability of Christmas Trees?
My question to this is, REALLY??? I mean REALLY?? Is there nothing else going on in government today that this is what we as taxpayers get? Is it that you in government think we the people are that stupid that somehow you can make this sound reasonable? This from a government that has even gone to the Supreme Court to eradicate any reference or iconic depiction of that Holy Holiday from the public square?
I won’t yet address the issue of a regulatory agency imposing a tax rather than it coming from Congress because I’m sure there is some legislatively convoluted reason for it. But I have to wonder if other religious holiday icons will receive the same treatment? Will we soon be reading of a tax on the Koran, or the Menorah? Or what ever icon is used for Kwanza to promote the benefits thereof?
*http://blog.heritage.org/2011/11/08/obama-couldnt-wait-his-new-christmas-tree-tax/
the tiniest bit of research will show that this is a product of the National Christmas Tree Association when, back in February and April of 2008, they decided to create a task force to find ways to better improve sales of the real thing as artificial trees developed a greater market share. They then, like the milk, beef, and pork industries, partnered with the USDA to put their SELF TAX into motion so they can use the funds to promote themselves and hopefully regain market share.
So it's a tax (or whatever they're calling it) imposed on an entire industry (and by industry I mean the customers of that industry because no normal businessperson would eat the added cost but rather will pass the costs on to the consumer to protect their profits) by the federal government at the request of part of the industry?
According to the industry this 15 cents will not be passed onto consumers. Please look up the industry's position. They are trying to save the live Christmas Tree industry because so many people now buy artificial trees.
The bottom line is that .15 cents is passed on to US. What compelled the tree industry to band together and request such a board and tax? GOVERNMENT! At any other time in history, INDIVIDUAL growers would be competing and keeping the price down. In other words, GOVERNMENT and regulations impose a domino effect down to the consumer. The CONSUMER did not require a board, administration or fees and penalties to ADD to a routine consumer product. Imagine how much cheaper out lives would be without bureaucratic intrusion.
At least he didn't do a turkey tax. What's the next moronic idea I wonder.
well…. at least they call them CHRISTMAS and not Holiday trees.
Is there no detail to small–or economic activity too trivial for the govt to regulate/tax it?
I don't know what they are talking about. My neighbors keep their tree up 6 to 7 months, honoring the little trees. How much more would these folks want for respect? 12 months?
Shirley they can't be serious.
Please, Shirley, explain to me what business of the Federal Government it is to promote ANY industry?
Is there nothing this administration won't tax? Watch for the new 25 cent toilet fee next time you have to go to the restroom. The lid won't open until you pay up! End this nonsense once and for all…VOTE RON PAUL!!
Lemme get this straight…
You want to encourage folks to buy Christmas trees, so you raise the price with a tax on the same trees?
That's good ol' Obamanomics logic for ya!
One cent for administration, 14 cents for paying off cronies!
Can you say "Festivus Pole"
Occupy Wall Street was enraged and burned buildings over the BAnk of America attempt to charge a debit fee to its customers. Will they voicesimilar outrage over Obama's decision to add a tax to the sale of Christmas trees?
Why not just call it a tax on Christians?
Why would the government, not a trade association, tax Christmas trees and administer a federal program to promote them while concurrently supporting policies to diminish religion, especially Christianity? Because they can, that's why! Top down authoritarianism takes many forms, from the ridiculus to the absurd. More money for another bureaucracy. I can see it now: Some schlub in DC will pull down six figures and big retirement as the Christmas Tree Czar. Free trees for the poor maybe? Buyers of expensive big trees will pay for discounted or free smaller ones. The program will run a deficit paid by other taxpayers.The robber barrons are not banks or insurance companies…they are governments. That's where our money goes and they always search for new ways to pick our pockets. This is a joke. A joke on us chumps who put up with it…Next they'll tax the air we breathe, but, wait, they already do that!
More like a "Christian" tax. Where's the fees for Muslum, Jewish, Budist, holiday symbols?
Obama's now taxing trees,
Buy one and pay your new fees,
What else will he tax?
Well these are the facts:
Wait 'til the next time you sneeze.
Question – Doesn't Congress levy taxes? How is this Constitutional??
just what we need – a federal Christmas tree marketing department… SHEESH !
C'mon, folks. This tax was created at the request of the Christmas tree industry in 2008. This is not a new tax. The fee levels are determined by the industry, not the government. Go worry about something important like poverty levels or our failing education scores.
Useful idiot.
I don't mind, so long as they use at least 13 cents of every fee to find insufferable social engineers in the federal employ who think the mere mention of Christmas is a violation of the constitution – and slap them really hard.
isn't the best way to promote Christmas trees is to actually call them "CHRISTMAS TREES" and not "Winter Holiday Trees"? More tax dollars to waste.
It occurs to me that this is especially cynical on the Administration's part. As a rule they are intolerant of the word Christmas. Now they are contented with the word as they attach it to a tax. This is hubris and a special airing of their contempt for the American people.
Obama. Improve the image of the CHRISTmas tree???? That's a good one!!!
If this “is not a tax nor does it yield revenue for the Federal government” then the question becomes, into whose pocket is this revenue really going?
Obama sucks…
No one making under $200,000 will see a tax increase under MY ADMINISTRATION ~
BO
i will no longer buy fresh cut Christmas, i shall dust off my old fake tree, take that you tax mongers!
I'm going to write a check for $1.50 and send it to Mr. Obama, in return I will request a authorized written waiver to excuse me from paying the additional "fee" for the next ten years, which I can then prodce for my local supplier when I make my tree purchase. That should make all parties happy, enjoy the buck and a half!
What's next . . . a tax on Easter eggs?
tim geithner will be in charge of collections to help pay back his back taxes
Tax, tax, tax…I feel like I'm living in the 1700's under British rule. Didn't we fight a war over these silly taxes?
One word = GRINCH
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
A tax on my Christmas tree!
Personally I don't care where this idea originated from –it's absurd! If you want to promote your product than please do so, but it shouldn't be a tax and especially one the government would be in control of! You do this for 1 industry than it would become a line of others also hoping for some "promotion". And after all the green talk you'd think this administration would be promoting artifical trees as a greener alternative!
so here is my question…….does this apply to…."holiday Trees" too?
Who says Nobama is not concerned about creating jobs. Thank God for this new branch of the Nobama gov. Why just think. If no one was teaching us how to like Christmas trees those once a year vendors might go out of business.
…and the hits just keep on coming… as the federal government consumes all.
I wouldnt touch him with a 35 ft pole!!!! GRINCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When did congress get pushed to the wayside? Are we under the law of Obama now, what ever he wants or says is how it is going to be?
Somebody please just steal his stocking!
This is just the most stupid thing I have ever heard. How can your improve the image of the Christmas tree? You can't. It's just a new tax..bottom line. Stupid Mr. Obama, just plain stupid.
"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch…"
Ridiculous….artificial for us….live trees very expensive, and so we went the artificial route years ago. Now, a lot of charitable organizations, Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, churches, etc., will probably not be able to use Christmas tree sales as a fund raiser. Of course, the federal government would like to be the be all for "charity" using OUR extorted money, not that given freely, to support what the powers that be see fit, at the level that whomever determines appropriate.
The only time the government to uses the word "CHRISTMAS" in sentence is when they are going to tax it. OBUMMER is joke and this certainly proves it. It's not the 15 cents it's just the fact that they are doing this. To all the people that celebrate CHRISTMAS and BUY CHRISTMAS TREES and voted for this BUM; how do you like him now? Just wait for EASTER and your eggs will be taxed too! LMAO
What about a tax to promote Christmas wreathes, carols, or Santa?
B.O. and the Big Gov. Statists know no bounds in what they want to tax, control and steal from you. They are "The Grinch"- who stole Christmas.
Okay you get the tax and Holder resigns as Attorney General to oversee the program and takes no salary and must wear a beaver costume in public appearances.
Thank heavens that the Obama Administration is finally working on something important! Frankly getting a little tired of all this hype about unemployment. Instead, I personally was getting worried that Christmas trees were not being promoted adequately during these last months of the year. After all, who would ever THINK of buying a Christmas tree in December? I'm sure that the administration's government-mandated marketing strategy will change all that. And for ONLY 15 cents a tree? I'm sure the tree growers are falling over themselves in an effort to thank His Highness for thinking of them. In fact, as these taxes continue to crop up, we can all be grateful to this administration for the attention they give us, each in our own turn. Pretty soon, we can all have our own industry tax so that we can be better at what we do.
I am saying there is no authority for this. Only Congress, not a department head, has authority to raise taxes–and then only for legitimate expenditures listed in Article I Section 8. I have read it. There is nothing in there about Christmas trees.
"The purpose of the Board is to run a “program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Christmas trees…."
How does one "strengthen the Christmas tree industry's position in the marketplace"? Is there some other tree being used for Christmas that we're not aware of? "Expand existing markets"? Such as …an Easter Tree?
As ridiculous as it sounds, and what you'd expect from this administration.
The Grinch who stole Christmas.
The whole point of this genius is to save or create a bunch more jobs. This way it adds to the total number of jobs the bonehead has "saved or created" so in 2012 his S.O.C. numbers will be up. Just keep creating buearocracies and those numbers keep going up. It doesn't matter that these jobs can't exist without taxpayer funds. I't's just a numbers game, and we are the little pieces on the board. What a piece of crap this clown is.
you may think this comes from the Onion…
Hey! America is totally socialist! FAIL
The Christmas tree is promoted by being associated with the name of the Lord. What other promotion do you need? Government can not provide a better promotion. But for sure this tax will provide a few hundred or more jobs to government hacks who for sure will vote for dear leader Obama. Way to go. As always with dems and libs take money from working people to pay hacks in federal government.
What!!!! Is this not a government endorsement of religion! Where's the ACLU on this?
I won't pay O'Bama's Christmas tree tax. I'll dig out the old fake tree and use it.
Scrooge!
This story isn't even factual. Have any of you done any research outside of right-leaning media outlets that keep regurgitating the same lies? Yes, there would be cause for concern if this were true, but it's not.
Everyone PLEASE read this article in the Miami Herald before commenting any further, and make up your mind whether Addington is distorting the details of the program. Tree growers — not the government — developed the idea for the program, and tree growers — not the government — will decide in three years whether the program will continue.
http://bit.ly/tPUHRg
You can argue that the PR consortium could have been created by the tree growers and that the federal government didn't need to get involved, but this is not just some new tax that the gov't invented.
Yes, but…. Why do they need to tax themselves to advertise themselves? That just makes no sense! As an example, Florida Orange growers have their own co-op that any Florida grower can join…. They market FL oranges… To give the power of taxation to the government is insane. Something does not seem right with all of this. I would like to see some more investigation on this. Follow the money……
It all depends. If this is a mandatory fee collected by government for the "benefit" of the industry, it's even worse than a straight tax in my book. Now we're collecting taxes for the benefit of a particular private industry. If the Tree Growers association wants to market itself, then why does this have anything to do with the USDA or other agency? Have we gotten so desensitized to the proper role of our federal government that this stuff now makes sense? Yikes.
The problem is many marketing people (and those who depend on them) assume others are as stupid as they are, and if trees aren't selling, obviously "it's because people don't know enough about them."
Once when the economy went sour, part of the problem was quality issues. So what did management do? They slashed development money and boosted the budget for advertising. Stupid is as stupid does.
Why is the government getting involved? What about the artificial tree growers (China?) ?
I thought only Congress could impose a tax. Is this another "stomp on The Constitution" move by this administration?
It's fifteen friggin cents, people. FIFTEEN!! A dime and a nickel. Shut the hell up and find something important to complain about.
Great. Obama wants to cut down trees, which will only promote global warming. Time to cut him out of office.
Democrats never met a tax they didn't like.
Excuse me, its a fee.
Isn't this the government endorsing religion? What about that (phantom) separation of church and state thing?
As a small business owner who sells pick your own Christmas trees this will not help promote the sale of Christmas tress but rather serve to reduce the sale of trees since they will cost more. The president and his huge team of tax wasters continue to enact policy that directly conflicts with economics 101. When you raise prices, sales decline. And to do so during hard economic times is particularly stupid and destructive. But this administration is hell bent on killing jobs and raising taxes on Americans. We Christmas tree farmers do not want Obama's interference in our industry and it is NOT helpful. Thanks.
a tax on Christians!
When I was up in Vermont for a wedding last year I stayed in a small town near the border of New Hampshire. I ended up speaking to some locals and they said how terrible the economy was up there, there were few jobs and it was tough to find work. There biggest industry was Christmas Tree's. I don't think we would impose this 15 cent fee for no reason. Taking a wild guess here but this fee that goes toward marketing/PR for "Fresh Christmas Trees" will hopefully influence more people to buy real christmas trees instead of artificial tree's or none at all. In return, increasing demand and hopefully increasing jobs in area's of the country that really need it. Not a bad move if it works
laughter of insanity insues. Unbelievably evil is this admin. what's next? Taxing nursing home residents for living too long and charging orphans for being orphans?
Wow… I can't wait to see the new Christmas Tree commercials and billboards all over the place! Go Goverment!!!
This is what hope and change looks like, people. Unfortunately, it is all about getting more and more change from our pockets.
So, this is how this administration "creates" new jobs?
Oh wow. A tax that was asked for by the growers, will be voted on by the growers, and the proceeds from the tax are used to help the growers. That's not democracy now is it? Educate yourself.
I will argue that this "Tax" (that has been around for years in other AG markets) is not needed. I really don't care if "Milk does a body good" or "Beef: is whats for dinner" (all USDA marketing programs) are discontinued.
At first I thought this was a joke. Then I realized once again the complainer and chief is the real joke in washington.
Is this not discrimination against religion?
In this politically correct world aren't they now called Holiday Trees?
Well, you know how out of hand Christmas tress have gotten in recent years. The government totally needs to do some public relations work to get trees back on the right track.
I smell a new government agency being created to manage Xmas trees….More job growth by Obama….
I agree, this has got to be a joke. Christmas trees are not the ones with the image problem, it is the Government and this administration. If this is not a joke, surely someone with good sense will prevail and stop the insanity. How foolish of me, I assumed there was someone with good sense in the Government.
Oh boy….. What next?!!!!
The "Christmas Tree" is a pagan tradition. Now he wants us to support a tax against Tree Huggers.
ENOUGH ALREADY!
No comment…..
Christmas? What is this 'Christmas' of which you speak?
I am the Obamassiah.
Thou shalt have no other messiah before me.
And sure wouldn't you know that the poor people of the world have been scraping by buying Christmas Trees with out any help from government experts for thousands of years…Its about time government steps up and takes responsibility, and a little money, and shows us how this should be done.
Obama is a damn joke and so is a christmas tree tax. The true meaning of christmas has been destroyed!!
No problem. I'll just go out and cut down my own and the Federal government can go to HELL!!
The man is a JOKE!! Just like taxing x-mas trees… Thank god this is his only term…
Tax Christmas trees now, what's next? Tax menorahs? Brass communion trays? Rosary beads? This is all the more reason to kick the turkey to the curb and keep him there.
Are you kidding me??!!
Another regulation! To provide the industry with the most benefits?The industry is just fine without the government in it! This has to stop.Chicago thug politics.When will we all have enough and take OUR government back? When its to late
There will be a carbon tax on it.
"is not a tax" but its mandatory… Then what in the heck do you call it.
The thing to watch for will be the penalties for not paying the tax. How many cash Christmas tree farms will ignore this, only to find out later that Christmas tree police will show up and shut down their business.
…and then Obama turned to Santa and says, "Where do you want me to put this tree?"… and that's how we got an Obama on the top of our Christmas tree.
So, I guess you are ignoring the fact that the tree industry has been working with the Ag Dept since 2008 (when G Bush was in the White House) on this issue, and the proposal came from the industry itself, not Washington. Yup, that's how you operate when the facts are inconvenient.
Where in the article does it say that the industry is behind this? Acting Administrator of Agricultural Marketing David R. Shipman of the AGRICULTURAL department made the announcement. Yup, that's how you operate…
Here we go again! "It's George Bush's Fault"! How is it every time This President makes some Bonehead decision it somehow comes back to George. Why is Obama happy to take the credit for something but never the Blame!
so, what will they tax next? ALL trees that are cut for the use in building, making toilet tissue, writing paper….this is 'TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION'…WE, the people, should vote on this just like any other "tax" which the "government" thinks of imposing. WE, the people, need a say so…after all, the "government is of the people, by the people, for the people"…guess that depends on your definition of "people"…just like Bill Clinton's definition of the word "it"…
Obama has the Hugo Chavez "touch," does he not?
I ADORE Christmas Trees. There's absolutely NO WAY this govt. can "improve" the image of the tree. In fact, they'll sully that "image."
As I recall, correct me if I'm wrong, last Christmastide the Obama's were headed towards calling the big White House tree a "Holiday Tree."
There's something very odd here. They love picking arugula, but I can't really see them relishing the cutting down of trees.
What's going on?
Why is the gov't constantly getting involved in things that they don't need to be involved in?!?! When they eliminate redundancy, and streamline the gov't so that they aren't incredibly wasteful with money, I'll start to trust them to make decisions about taxes. Until then, vote them all out.
Typical Democrat, if they can tax it, they will.
I swear to God, I've just entered the twilight zone. "Research, evaluation"??? "Not a tax"??? My brother in law sells X-mas trees. I'm going to strongly advise he charge precisely .15 more per tree (ie.. $42.15) just so people will inquire about the peculiar charge!
Anybody see Zoolander? I feel exactly like Will Ferrell when he screams out he feels like he's taking crazy pills! I am not kidding one bit either.
What progressive crap, they hate xmas, and why oh why is the Gov. advertising xmas trees. GET out of socialism for anything. Go back to the Soviet Union. They need your help.
Give me a break.. A christmas tree tax.. how pitiful. RGR Rebecca Goddard Rizek
What ever happened to the left's drum beating of separation of church and state?
What kind of a sick joke is this?
I know where he can stick that tax.
Obama and progressives will tax road kill, next. Anything to steal our money and give it to their union buddies.
Christmas trees need an image makeover?? Since when?? What the heck is going on, this has to be a joke. If not, there has to be more to the story than just a Christmas Tree tax.
why even give people paychks if your going to tax everything. this is getting out of hand. get a life and find a real solution to a serious problem like welfare abuse.
This makes my head hurt.
Wait it is going to get better…He will win the election next year…And then we will really have it…Obama adminstration is going to tax the air we breath, so don't hold your breath :)
Upon further investigation I have found that this is a self help program. The growers of Christmas trees voted to impose this fee on them. the board will be the farmers that grow Christmas trees, and all the money collected will go for promotion of Christmas trees.
This has GOT to be a joke…if not, it should just be ignored.
Do we really need a Tree promotions board? And even if we did, let the industry promote themselves. Yet more useless government expansion at the handa of the Democrats!
I was in a good mood until reading this………..
concerned American
I'd be willing to bet that the volume of paperwork created by this will be $0.50 per tree. . .
I wonder if Obama is going to pay the $0.15 for the National Christmas tree?
Why isn't this law challenged? Obama has stated that he intends to bypass Congress; Congress should be screaming about this and other egregious actions on his part which usurps power delegated to another branch. I get that there is some bit in a law he is using to justify this – but how can we justify using a law passed in 1996 that does not anticipate its use as an end run around the Constitution? Clearly this law needs tightening up – this is an outrage.
This has to be a repost from The Onion. Please tell me that this is a joke. I say we set a counter protest Occupy Christmas Trees.
"… Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees …"
I know that the BO administration is full of mediocrities (right to the top). But surely even they could have come up with a better sounding lie than that.
What ever happened to Congress's role in taxes. No President can apply a fee or a tax without Congressional approval, period.
bah humbug!
Only Congress has the authority to create a new tax. A fee is something you charge in return for a service rendered. What service is a Christmas tree seller receiving from the government – nothing. .
This NOT about Christmas tress. It is a tax on Christians!
the money goes to a board appointed by our government? This is the stuff corruption is made of. Also how many hours does the DOA spend administering? This is the crap that is cuttable. As Ron Paul says there is easily 1 trillion dollars of this stuff going on.
Tax his land, tax his wage,
Tax his bed in which he lays.
Tax his tractor, tax his mule,
Teach him taxes is the rule.
Tax his cow, tax his goat,
Tax his pants, tax his coat.
Tax his ties, tax his shirts,
Tax his work, tax his dirt.
Tax his chew, tax his smoke,
Teach him taxes are no joke.
Tax his car, tax his grass,
Tax the roads he must pass.
Tax his food, tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his sodas, tax his beers,
If he cries, tax his tears.
Tax his bills, tax his gas,
Tax his notes, tax his cash.
Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.
If he hollers, tax him more,
Tax him until he's good and sore.
Tax his coffin, tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb,
"Taxes drove me to my doom!"
And when he's gone, we won't relax,
We'll still be after the inheritance tax.
At least it's not called the "Holiday" Tree Tax
Separatioin of Church and State doesn't apply to taxing and promoting religious symbols? I guess we can have the Ten Commandments back in our courtrooms now?
So it's okay that our economy is on life support, as long as people feel better about their Christmas trees. That's what the tax is paying for? It's good to know our President has his priorities where they need to be. =/
You people certainly are ignorant, can't take that away from you. The 15 cent tax is collected by the trade organization that promotes live Christmas trees and is directly used to pay for generic live tree advertising at the national level. I suppose all of you have serious problems with other national ad campaigns supporting entire industries… such as "Got Milk?" or "Beef, it's what's for dinner." It was simply approved by the Dept of Ag, as are all other such programs. But yeah, go ahead and scapegoat the President, you just better do the same thing when a Republican is in office and USDA approves other such ad campaigns. You know you won't, however, and so do I.
Wait, Mr. President… What about a nativity scene Tax? Don't we need a Federal program to improve the image and marketing of the manger too?
As a trained marketing person…this "improving the image of" SCREAMS "change the name of" …. you watch we will no longer be calling them Christmas Trees. There will be some stubborn old geezers like ourselves in 20 years still trying to call them CHRISTmas Trees but by the time the younger generation comes up they will be brainwashed. Insidious is what this is! Talk to the younger generations now before it is TOO LATE.
Already got an artificial tree, and I think I'll keep it. And my 15 cents. Not another penny to this administration.
I can't read through 31 pages of comments, but surely someone by now has pointed out that in all likelihood this is an industry sponsored program – very much like the "incredible edible egg" or "drink milk" programs that are sponsored by the poultry and dairy industries but run by the agricultural department.
The funds are used for promotion but collected by the feds from industry participants (who would have voted to approve the program).
How exactly does a Christmas Tree tax improve the image of Christmas trees? Let's improve the image of politicians and tax all political donations at 90%!!
I weep for the future.
Is this really needed? And really, how many people actually buy REAL christmas trees? Is 15cents a tree really going to add up to enough $ to pay for this department, let alone all the 'research' it wants to do? NO IT ISN'T. What a waste of time and energy. Our country's unemployment rate is between 9 and 12% and this is what our government's priorities are?
I am all about the keeping Christ in Christmas movement but isn't the government putting their fingers in a religious based tradition a little out of their jurisdiction? Why aren't all the anti-god, anti-religion supporters all over this one?
I'd much rather see a 15cent tax on gas going STRAIGHT to our schools or soldier's pay than this crap. Because that's what it is. CRAP.
THIS IS THE LEVEL OF "INTELLIGENCE" OUR "LEADER" HAS. IF IT IS BROKE, TAX IT!
N.M. BOB
I suppose this is a silly question, but exactly what legal authority does the Secretary of Agriculture have to impose new taxes on his own? I guess I'm being naive in thinking that only the Congress had authority to impose taxes.
This is not the role of government, this is the role of a trade association. But what a great excuse to grow the government.
This is from The Onion right?
does it apply to artificial trees?
Silly me- and I thought only Congress had the power to levy a tax.
Hold on you cannot call it a Christmas tree anymore because of liberals and now they want us to pay a tax on a Christmas tree ? Just tell them you are selling a holiday tree, tax problem solved.
Does this mean he is about to pass a Prayer Rug Tax?
Don't they know that selling Christmas trees is product of a christian holiday? How can this be taxed when we have separation of church and state.
Really Mr. President……..taxing our Christmas trees………some of us can’t even buy food to put on our tables……now your going to make it so we can’t even afford a christmas tree.
I am so glad we have an Artificial Christmas tree.
You cannot make this up!!….15 Cent Christmas Tree Tax!!…How can anyone defend the nonsense coming from this Administration…I can wait to see vendors trying to make Change in a snow storm…LOL
What a complete and total Hiny Wipe!!!
So what did anyone expect? LOOK if the next election is between lieberal closet democrat Romney or socialist Oboma I WILL VOTE OBOMA! The sooner this finaly collapses the sooner we can start over with out an overbloated fed govt or warp speed printing fed res. I've got enough gold/silver coin (real money) and needed suplies. This unending malaise is anoying and waisting time. I do not wish to have a lost decade lets get this done! We have 50 state govts and most will govern sufficiently. Better no federalism then what we have now.
Is there no end to the deviance of this man's mind? Good grief, who can even think this stuff up?
I guess the only thing I can do is purchase an evergreen tree this year and then decorate it for Christmas. Yep. That'll work. ~m
What nerve. The Government has tried in every way to remove all signs of Christmas from public places. How dare they try to charge a fee? Is it a punishment for being Christian? Separation of Church and State? Then separation of anything to do with Christmas from the greedy, ridiculously corrupt politicians. If every Christian stopped celebrating the holiday, the economy would really be in the tank. The Government makes enough tax on all the Christmas gift sold. Refuse to pay it.
This man never ceases to AMAZE ME!!!! this has got to be a joke!! ~ Right??
I have never wanted anything sooo!!! bad as I want to see this man out of office
I would think it should be a "carbon footprint" and I can think of a much better place to plant it than a stocking.
Sorry, Barak Chavez, we AREN'T paying a Christmas Tree tax!
They do this and I'll buy an artificial tree from China.
That is what he wants. It is part of his wealth redistribution.
people buying artificial trees from China is WHY the industry (see that word there – industry not president) is trying to implement the promotion of real trees
Cheer up – we gonna tax menorahs too!!
Where's the separation of church & state here? POTUS can't recognize Christmas! He's placing a tax on Christians! Now we need a tax on other holiday symbols just to be fair.
In a world where anything religion and especially Christian is suppressed by the government, it is kind of interesting that a whole new front for discussing Christianity has been opened by a tax imposed by a government service. God moves in mysterious ways. Remember it was Ceaser, a thousand miles away from Bethlehem, who imposed a tax that brought Joseph and Mary back to their ancestral city where the Christ child was born fulfilling a centuries old Prophecy. Hand of God?
I like the Idea.. Hope he gets another 4 years too. This helps promote NOT cutting the trees down.. Oh yeah we might need those to save the planet someday, instead of looking pretty for a few days in our living rooms then tossed into a land fill.
The concept behind this is not for the government to make money, it is obvious the author has no concept of how agricultural checkoffs work. The intent is for the Christmas tree producers to develop a promotional and marketing fund to help them grow their industry, which in turn can help lower the cost of trees for everyone.
Then the Christmas tree producers should develop a fund for themselves, not the government!
Hawk. Now, how can they do that when they have no money because all AMERICANs are buying fake Christmas trees made OVERSEAS???
"(76 CFR 69102)."
**The above citation is incorrect. It should read, "(76 FR 69102)," for it is the page in the Federal Register issue (the rule's preamble), not a citation to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
They are as bad for your health as cig's .. tax them out of existence… Do You feel the ONE WORLD ORDER creeping up on you?????
Can you say, "yet another Farm Subsidy"?
Score one more for the lobbyists. A pre-reformed Jack Abramoff would be proud!
Taxing Christmas? Worse than the Grinch. How about taxing the Occupy crowd, those clowns really need to improve their image, although in their case it would take thousands of dollars per protester to spruce up that image. Now there is a pun just begging to be used. Obama is using the tax to "Spruce" up the Christmas Tree image.
Time to repeal the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 and other similar legislation that bypasses Congress' authority to tax.
NOW YOU AMERICANS SHOULD KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR IN 2012….RON PAUL ALL THE WAY!!!!
Please tell me this is a joke… Seriously? Yet one more reason to support FairTax.org
How is this NOT a tax against people for being Christians?
It's actually now called a Holiday Tree…
never ends does it? they keep pushing untill we all break…
Oh boy, you reactionaries are going to paint this one in all the colors you got, arncha? That's an 8-box of Crayolas, right?
that means $1.00 more for a tree…I've never seen a tree for 34.25,it's always rounded off…St Nicholas is taking another one in the rear
15 cents? Those selling the trees will raise you a couple dollars! Interfering with markets….Go out and buy a fake tree from China!
This violates the Equal Protection Clause. Or freedom of religion against federal action. Take yer pick. It's unconstitutional no matter how you slice it. And it's just plain stupid.
A Christmas tree tax? What a Grinch!
You people need to understand what the tax does before you complain blindly about Obama. The tax will be beneficial to the growers and is self imposed by the industry. There will be $2 million in tax revenue that will be used to advertise and promote the merits of buying a REAL Christmas tree. Artificial trees currently dominate the market while real tree growers have seen their share of the market dwindle annually.
Oh, and putting a tax on it will help the growers even more? Please, never go into business. The smart thing to have done would have put the tax, which is stupid, on the fake trees…..Hello….Anyone home in there , Allan?
You people (and I mean Big Government bleeding heart liberals) can't STAND logic or reason! Complain blindly? 1) Obama cannot impose a TAX without Congress 2) Is your income tax SELF-IMPOSED? Didn't think so. 3) Why would an industry give their capital to the government that can't control spending, when they could just as easily use it themselves to lower crop production costs, advertising, etc? Alan, do you have any facts to buttress your statements?
They should tax the artificial trees then.
Why tax the product you want more of to sell?
You want less of something..tax it.
Still boils down to separating us from our money, I don't care who asked for it.
So all a producer of goods has to do is ask for a tax to help with their struggling industry?
Why didn't the 8 Track and Typewriter industry think of this??
The Christmas Tree industry is a private industry. Let them do their own promotions and advertising. Why should the federal government, once again, try to determine the winners and losers in private businesses? If consumers prefer artificial trees, what business is it to the government. Why do they think they have the right to try to control everything? Let the Fresh Christmas Tree growers create their own association. They can pay that fifteen cents to the association and do their own promoting. It is not a valid govenment function.
Wait, we can't celebrate Christmas in the public space because that would be against the liberal view of separation of church and state. But we can create a tax so the government can promote Christmas trees.
?President Obama’s Agriculture Department ? The CONGRESS shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence[note 1] and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be UNIFORM throughout the United States. So, the Agriculture Department (OBAMA'S) has the power to tax?????
Why should the federal government take tax money to prop up any private industry? FREE TRADE! Let a business rise or fall based on their own merits, and not through government strong-arming of the general population! Obama friends and cronies in the auto-industry, banking-industry, solar-industry, and now Christmas trees! When will the corruption end?!?!?!
I thought the libs did not refer to anything to do with the holidayas "Christmas", but have used the word "Holiday" tree; unless, of course, they want to fleece us!
I went back to an artifical tree last year. Anyway that the beast can be starved (government) is a good plan.
Who will be the CZAR of Christmas Trees…..this is stupid…….
Oh yeah, now this can force more people to go buy plastic trees made in China.
There are many fraternal organizations that sell Christmas trees to fund their outreach efforts. If the Federal bureaucrats mandate this, they will barely make enough profit to provide for their charitable projects.
Besides, the Executive Branch does not have the authority under the Constitution to levy taxes…
or is this another slash at the law of the land?
That's what I said, "GET RID OF THIS ADMINISTRATION ASAP".
They don't have anything to do because they are soooooo dumb, so they sit there and make up new taxes.
GET RID OF THEM.
would form a committee, another place to give his friends a good paying job, and try and lower the unimployment at tax payers expense.
Politicians will find ANYTHING they can tax and pass it off on the consumer. How about cutting spending, and all their pet projects first?
Merry Christmas from the Obama administration!!
Good point.
Ok so their not calling this a tax, then call it what it really is extortion. Anytime you are forced to hand over money to the government it is either a tax or extortion. So for all you people who think he is doing such a great job open you eyes. This guy is a sham and has been since before day one. It is time fellow consumers to contact your elected representative to put a stop to this nonsense by this idiot President. Call, write, stop in and tell your elected representative you will not stand for another sham department taking our money. This is not needed and is not wanted. Consumers and the people have the power to turn things around Let's start doing it!
IS HE NUTS?
he just killed the Christmas tree market. he will put all the vendors and Christmas tree farms out of business with this one. Occupy Christmas Tree Farms here we come. he is the WORST President is history – hands down. he clearly hates Christmas. keep in mind his tree won't be one paid taxes on. he enforces it but doesn't participate. typical Obama move.
Well, pull out the aluminum foil tree with the circle light from under the crawl space….i knew we'd need it some day
This guy has GOT to go
What authority does the Chief Executive or the Agriculture Department have to levy a tax in the first place? I thought taxation was a function of the Congress of The United States of America exclusively. Is this a power they have delegated to the Executive? If so, what do we need a Congress for?
Fast and Fir-ious
Friends, this is no April First joke.
Lets see, say they sell 100 million trees a christmas season @ 15 cents per tree thats a 15 million dollar Government agency created out of thin air! Now how much of that money is going into somebodies pocket and how much are the people working for this agency going to make per year to promote something that does not need promoting! Can you say "OVEREACHING BIG GOVERNMENT"! One last thing call it what you want, A FEE is a TAX!
When I first read this I said, come on not even the Obama Administration would see fit to tax and regulate the sale of Christmas Trees. This has to be a joke. After all we are talking the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT here, not local towns, cities or states. Guess what no joke. For every dollar you pay your local church, civic organization or Boy Scout Troop for that beautiful grown in the USA Christmas Tree, the Obama Administration takes 15%
This should come as no surprise to anyone. After all, Democrats have long believed that money grows on trees….
This is CRAZY!!!
Is nothing sacred.
Mr. David R. Shipman (DEPT. OF AGRI MKTG.) and President BARACK OBAMA the American people faithfully wish you and yours the Merriest and most Holy of Christmas Seasons. Additionally, we respectfully suggest it is past time for you to update your respective resumes. Does the incident about "the money changers" ring a bell?
As stupid as this plan is, and it is pretty darn stupid, it's not even in the top 10 of the stupidest things the Obama administration has done. Unless we make major changes next year we are all toast.
It's part of the Agenda folks.
Agenda: Grinding America Down
Look it up on YouTube
Just when I thought Christmas couldnt suck any more
This guy and his administration MUST GO !
Whew, I found it:
Article I
Section 8. The Department of Agriculture shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
Can this be interpreted that the Federal Government is supporting the Christian holiday of Christmas, since they are Christmas tress? Or is it another tax that will ultimately get redirected to support some favored program in the Dept of Agriculture? I am so confused by the Government and their interpretation of separation of Church and State.
Congratulations America by voting for Obama you get this nonsense. By the way I'm jewish and
I don not buy Christmas trees,. Therefore let's hope if you all reelect Obama next year he makes the
tax a dollar a tree.
Sol
I think any business who is required to collect the tax for the government should be able to charge the government for having to collect the tax. By not paying the business to do work for the government that would make it slavery if you think about it.
Well, I guess this year I"ll buy a "holiday" tree instead of a Christmas tree. Isn't that what they call the December holidays now in schools?
Most people have artificial trees now, for several reasons, not the least of which is cost. With an additional tax for a live tree, does the administration and the Christmas tree producer really think it will promote sales?
Does the Dept of Agriculture have constitutional authority to impose taxes?
Jst where and when does this guy think a christmas tree is up for discussion amidst all our nations problems? Absolutely mind boggling!!!!!
I feel like I am living out Atlas Shrugged
WOW—-Some more "Hope and Change"——-Ain't it great????
Easy solution folks. Have you ever gone to a big box retailer to buy a christmas tree? I haven't, the guys who sell these christmas trees dont take credit cards and I've never even seen a cash register.
My solution – everyone buying a christmas tree – instead of paying for the tree, make a cash "donation" to the tree farm for the same price. I'd be one to bet that those guys have hardly ever paid a tax on their sales in the first place. Good for them.
"market" Christmas trees? seems they take care of themselves. most Christian households (and many no -Christians) have adopted this seasonal tradition. most of those households put a tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving, and take them down the weekend of New Years. oh.. right.. I see.. department stores start putting up their Christmas decor after Labor Day. we, as consumers, are expected to follow this trend. and with trees up for longer time periods, we'll need to buy more trees..
I think Obama should impose a tax on people who sniffle the trees at the store as well since they are unable to buy it…..Imagine how much money will be collected?
Better yet to impose an entrance fee to the fresh cut tree department. What is the matter with his administration-can't they get more creative?
sarcasm off…..
Isn't the Christmas Tree a religious symbol? And we can now appoint a board funded by a mandated fee to regulate the promotion of a religious symbol? So separation of church and state only applies when it benefits the state?
Why does this fool think anyone needs help "…to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees" ?!? Talk about a totally manufactured need just to raise taxes. What a stinking joke. Why not tax burkas to help improve their image and marketing?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, buddy!
That thar's a HOLIDAY tree tax, Son.
This is the dumbest new program thay has ever come out of washington!
Another dumb move by the administration.
This is total bull….we are still struggling to find jobs in every state….we DON'T NEED any new taxes. We need help with jobs!!
Does this apply to "Holiday Trees" or just Christmas Trees
Bah humbug! All I want for Christmas is a new president!
But they won't be called "Christmas trees", they will be called politically correct "holiday trees"!
Now I know why the Easter bunny hides his eggs
A tax to "improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees." Do fresh Christmas trees have a bad image? Marketing? Taxing people that already buy fresh trees so that they will what, see a commercial and buy more trees? That like charging a .50 tax on beer to say now you will really like beer after you see our commercials. Please.
So 3sides are you saying that the best solution to keeping jobs in the USA is to put an extra tax on everything? I understand that it's the farmers that asked for help what I don't understand is how this is help? I will totally eat my words if I start to see adds for Christmas trees and sales rise as a result. I just don't see it happening.
This isn't about saving American jobs. This is another example of 'crony capitalism' using our tax system. The Christmas Tree Association lobbied for this and figures it will bring in about $4 million a year. Just another example of big business being in bed with the government and the tax payers getting screwed…
Do any of you guys actually know what a tax is? It is money demanded by the government and used by the government for their own operations. This is NOT a tax. It is an advertising fund the growers are imposing on themselves!
A quick search found there are 30-35 million trees sold per year. That means a 15-cent tax on each would yield about 5 million dollars. After the administrative costs how much do you really think will be left for marketing? Since when is the federal government responsible for promoting an industry? There is already a National Christmas Tree Association (http://www.christmastree.org/). What is the federal government going to accomplish that this trade group can't? Answer: employ a few more bureaucrats who will do no meaningful or necessary work.
So the same government, or should I say party, that wages war on Christmas and wishes to have all Christmas trees renamed to Holiday Trees, is now going to tax Christmas Trees to improve their image? Here's an idea you scoundrel, stop your war on Christmas and leave my wallet alone. I don't see you on my job site working. Stop taking my money.
If the industry needs this individual farmers and meet through the internet, discuss ideas, form an organization pay dues and hire consultants for far less money than the government can.
Answer the question…this is a joke??
Wow… how out of touch can an administration be?
Next it's a toilet paper tax of $.50 per roll and $1.00 for a double roll. Then they will want to tax it as it leaves the house with a $.10 per flush tax.
I guess it depends what article you read for what you get from it. Another source http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2059360/O…
indicates that this tax has been in the works for a while "the tax was actually has actually been in the works since the Bush administration when the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) set up a task force recommending a fee in response to declining sales of fresh trees in 2008. "
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2059360/O…
I am a Christmas Tree Grower in Wisconsin and we don't want any help from the feds that is going to cost us
more time and money.
When I buy my Christmas tree this year, I am going to bargain with the seller for a 15 cent discount. And I will tell them exactly why I want that discount!
People, people, people! I think this is a great idea. I would also recommend the following fees. Two cents per rose to improve the image of the rose. Three cents per cucumber to improve the image of the cucumber. Five cents per hot dog to improve the image of the hot dog. Why, the list is endless of things which need a Federal marketing program to improve the image of them. I would also suggest a thirty cent fee per flocked tree to improve their image, and a dollar per tree fee for artificial Christmas trees to improve their image.
I've never been so glad that most places sell "Holiday Trees" not "Christmas Trees"!!!
Isn't this raising revenue based on religion? What happened to the separation of church and state the Lund are so fond of? This looks like he's "protecting" the beliefs of peoples religion.
What's next a committee to "protect" burkas?
How big an ego must one have to believe that Christmas trees need one's help to be sold? Do us all a favor and stay the heck out of our lives. Thank you.
I thought that only Congress had the power to lay and collect taxes?
This is a joke…..Right?????
A 15 cent tax will add over a dollar in price per tree, and i'm sure he plans to increase this tax in the future. How much more of a positive image could the christmas tree get? If this doesn't convice you this goof has to go nothing will.
Omgosh……hello Mr. Grinch!
Speechless.
Is it April Fools day or is this a piece from the Onion?
"You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch…."
Can you really believe this one, I thought it was a joke but it is not. What will be taxed next???!!
another way to kill jobs in this country. Americans arew fed up with the governement interfering into every aspect of our lives. Those who use to buy real trees can now go to walmart buy a fake tree and use it for years to come. With the sprays coming out it can smell like a real tree as well. I'll just go to home depot or lowes get a real tree thats balled and use it because they are going on sale 75% off this time of year . use it then donate it to the parks and rec in our area.Or for those lucky like myself that has acreage plant it let it grow and use it two three years down the road . Then every other year do the same routine over. endless supply fresh trees and replaceing the ones that get cut .
How long will it be before the new Federal bureaucracy, created by this measure, decides that the word Christmas needs to be removed from the term "Christmas Tree". How can the Federal government promote the CHRISTmas tree without being accused of promoting a religion?
I couldn't afford a live tree last year. Looks to be the same this year now. How is this providing jobs when he's eliminating an industry?
I'd say this is the work of the puppetmaster, not Obama. All part of the grand plan to change our system of government in a way he/puppetmaster thinks it won't be noticed until it's a done deal.
This IS April First, Right?
The article below seems to indicate that the live tree growers are responsible for this tax for a campaign that doesn't seem to be needed
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/11/08/129687/chri…
Just a little more info for ya ;)…. Where do we get our real Christmas Trees? On American commercialized Christmas Tree farms. In 1991 Christmas Tree sales were 37 million dollars and in 2007 they had declined to less than half that to 17.4 million. Just another section of the American market taking a hit…. know why? Artificial Christmas trees! We have one! Almost everyone I know has one! So this is just another American farming industry about to die :(. Soooo, you know the "Got Beef" tv commercial adds funded by the government? Milk has some too, with Cheese as well, I think. Anyways, that is what that 15 cent tax will go towards, adds to "romanticize" the fresh Christmas Tree again and perhaps save the dying American market. Honestly though, I don't think it will work. Too many people love those fake trees because they don't shed, you don't have to water them and you don't have to strap them to your car every year to bring it home. I'll post the article, but I pretty much summed it up for ya ;). Oh and the Christmas Tree Farm owners are on board with the tax, of course they would be… they want to save their business from dying! But do Americans really want fresh Christmas Trees anymore :(. I cringe to think about where my fake Christmas Tree was manufactured… Where was yours????
Oh Christmas Tree
Oh Christmas Tree
Fifteen more cents
I'll pay for thee.
You have to be able to justify the existence of the Dept. of Agriculture. What else do they do except pay farmers for not growing crops?
"I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes."
I think they could have found the Christmas tree for the White House a little closer than they did this year to save hauling it clear across the country! What a waste!
Maybe it would make more sense to impose this on the fake trees… Not that I'm in favor of any new taxes. Sheesh!
There's going to be an equal protection issue here
Wow, it's just 15 cents? Gotta get this debt down some way right? Ok I get everybody's gripe, and I aint too happy with it either, but again..it's just 15 cents
Who's gonna get their bowels in an uproar over .15 cents?
Whats next? taxes on each egg we buy so we can support the egg farmer. Better yet a tax on turkeys so the turkey farmer can sell more turkeys besides Thanksgiving and Christmas. Vote these bums out of office next november.
You have got to be kidding me!!!!
I want the Fed. Gov. out of the marketing business – period. No more TV ads, radio ads, etc. Don't care how well intended they are, the Fed. Gov. should not be in the business of selling "their" message to the public using the public money.
Its one small step away from propaganda…
Of couse this is a start of banning fresh Christmas trees being cut down for Christmas..It's not GREEN!
I'm wondering what other symbols there are for other religions that are used their religious holiday celebration of one kind or another and if the administration will tax those as well?
I guess this is what he meant by "going around Congress". Godspeed November 2012.
How's that hope and change working out for you?
Are Chinese Christmas trees going to be taxed too? Or is this just trees made in america! If I call them a "Holiday Tree" does the fee still apply? Are they going to have Christmas Tree Police to enforce this "Tax "ugh! I mean "Fee". Is this how our President is going to create JOBS! What's next? A government Agency to promote Valentine's Day with a fee on every "Valentine" or a Easter Bunny Agency with a fee on "Easter Eggs". Just think of the Possibilites!
Well said David… I get a fresh cut Christmas tree every year, its part of our family tradition we started 19 years ago, when I proposed to my wife while decorating the tree… This will only hurt the little guy on the corner who sells them…
I also agree, the image of the Christmas Tree is alive and well… Perhaps we impose a STUPID Tax on Obama: $5 everytime time he says he wants to create jobs!!!
This is a discriminatory tax against Christians, and a violation of the first amendment.
Thank you Mr Grinch. You are too kind. May I have another?
1.20.13… the defining date for America, and the world!
FLASH
This just in, due to the overwhelming number of negative posts against new Christmas tree tax,
The Obama regime has now proposed a 2 cent per blog post tax on all blog posts originating in the USA.
of course, all liberal leaning web sites will be exempt!
Your a mean one Mr. Grench/Obama
Lets see, $0.15 per tree and a committee to oversee it, handle admin, etc. I'll bet the cost of the committee will be in the millions and the tax collected in the thousands. Another example of government at work! Wait, I think work is the wrong word for government, how about lying around and doing nothing (talking about Congress and the WH primarily)!
Hold on. He promised to only tax the rich. Don't you know that only people with incomes greater than $200k buy Christmas trees?
This is a discriminatory tax against Christians, and a violation of the first amendment.
This is ALL Bush's Fault!
I thought they were "Holiday Trees." Good thing they dont tax Holiday trees.
Department of Agriculture has the authority to impose taxes?? This whole article reads like an April Fool's Day joke. If it's real, it would seem to be slight of hand, watch this while I'm doing something else in the background.
I think this calls for a year without Christmas (trees). One way to stop them is to simply refuse to comply.
Who in their right mind would even think of something like this? A tax to promote Christmas trees, yeah right this will be funneled into some slush fund.
Government just keeps getting bigger and bigger
Jeremiah 10:1 ¶Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
This constitutes the State promoting one religion (or group of religions) over other!
Unbelievable … this will just end up in the general fund to be wasted just like all the other taxes they collect. next Nov can't get here fast enough.
New image of Christmas trees: just like the old ones, but $0.15 more expensive! This guy just can't stop making things cost more. Thanks for leaving signs of your failed presidency everywhere, Mr. President.
talk about a stupid thing to get upset about, wow, there is like 1000 comments, all of them people who are upset. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Wait………thought the Obama Administration and the Liberal Democrats got rid of Christmas…we don't celebrate Christmas, so why do we have to pay a tax….?? So chocolate heart tax next or is it the chocolate bunny tax ??
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-110…
It's meant to promote the use of real trees as opposed to fake ones.
That Barry, what a tax happy, anti-Christmas, spend-a-holic, moron, He can't even come up with a good lie on why this tax has to be, in the first place. America can't wait to ditch this clown.
Although every concern above is 100 % correct….its fifteen cents. Fifteen cents per tree, not per dolllar. Fifteen center. .15 on a $40 tree, that is, what? like .001 percent. I know it is ridiculous, but, fifteen cents?
If the government can tax "Christmas" trees can kids have "Christmas" parties at school again? The left is so hypocritical.
This is another great example of Government Creep. 15 cents doesn't sound like much, but since "Christ"mas trees have a Christian foundation, the gov't has just creeped in, and grabbed it's own 'nondenominational' marketing budget. How does our gov't that works tirelessly to extinguish religion promote Christmas trees?
I guess I will be cutting my own from my property. This is absurd. I know where a Christmas tree should be placed.
Does anyone know of anyone who does not know when to buy a Christmas tree. Christmas is not really an obscure holiday.
I was starting to think I might vote for him next year. This just brought me b ack to my senses. Thanks.
To enforce the action, the form 1040 has been revised to add a new line. "did you purchase a Christmas tree this year?" " where did you purchase it?" A thousand new IRS agents will be hired to monitor sales and tax records of all the little tree lots set up around your town. Video surveillance at each lot will allow the government to know who purchased a tree. If those individuals do not say yes to the question on the Form 1040, a $500 fine will be collected. The proceeds of the fine will be used to "Promote and enhance the image if the IRS".
If you want to promote the image and sales of Christmas trees, you make them LESS EXPENSIVE, not more expensive by applying a tax. Let's see, perhaps I shall forgo a tree this year. It's just 15 cents beyond my budget…
More Obama drama. Merry Christmas.
First he taxes white people for using tanning booth now Christmas trees which mostly Christians buy. Humm pattern I think they are on the way to controlling every aspect of our lives. Think 1938?
Why is it the Government's business to market for private Christmas tree interests?
And to think our Revolution was triggered by that piddly little Stamp Act. If King George were alive, he'd be taking notes.
Wow. I'm really surprised the Founding Fathers neglected to put this in the Constitution. I'm glad Obama caught that mistake and corrected. What would we do without the Federal government letting us know that "Trees are good!"
Are they trying to locate and identify cash sale tree sellers who are selling off their trucks?
Only the US Department of Agriculture can give us an abortion like this! Except maybe for FEMA, they are the most corrupt and incestuous organization in the Executive Dept. We should ban them and all of their useless subsidies.
This was needed by the US Christmas tree growers as a way of saving the US grown Christmas trees who are in a desperate competion with the Chinese imported, and petroleum based – fake trees.
This is not Obama's Christmas tree tax – it is the United States Christmas growers tree tax to save the local small family farm . The tree farmers I know will not be charging their customers the additional .15! Another thing, the Christmas tree industry is not made up of big corporations – most are still family farms .
I know what Obama can do with my .15 cents!
Sounds like a job for….. ANYONE BUT THE GOVERNMENT.
Checking last year's figs, looks like this would have yielded $225m in a static analysis. Is the image of the Christmas Tree really in so sorry a state? There are dozens if not hundreds of these promotional boards for oysters, corn, toys, dog food, citrus…. just about anything you could name and they also exist at the state level. The most hilarious bit is that, guess what? this is not even a tax! it is a fee and therefore not subject to legislative oversight. I hope the tree sellers will point out this charge and it's source to every customer they get, which will probably be 15% fewer than last year.
you are a terrible reader, 15 cents, not 15%, jeez
Its hard to believe anyone supports this president or his administration….does useful idiots come to mind anyone?
seriously? come on now
Wait. . .what?!?
The Xmas tree industry asked for this as a promotion, because they couldn't get their members to voluntarily give the money to promote xmas trees. So they voted at the national Xmas tree assn to let the gov't do it for them. I personally told them this was stupid 3 years ago.
Next there will be a penny tax on all falling snowflakes to be used to combat global warming.
How low can you go obama?! Less government now! We don't need a Christmas tree tax and we don't need you either! I pray to God in heaven that you are voted out this next election, you dumb socialist, you're ruining our country!
30 million Christmas trees sold last year @ $0.15 per tree. Um, that's 4.5 million dollars. Wounded Warrior Project spends $3 million on physical health & rehab yearly. That's okay, let's market those trees……WTG.
How many useless bums will be employed by the Dept. of Agriculture to run this unnecessary program? Keep gov't out of business.
While this makes great 'bash Obama" fodder Mr. Addington might have mentioned that the Christmas Tree growers ASKED for this because they have had huge and steady declines in sales. People were instead buying artificial trees made in China. The growers are US growers and create jobs HERE. Of course telling both sides of the story would make you an honest person… you know… like the baby the Christmas tree celebrates asks us to be.
It would be much better of course to let those growers go out of business… invisible hand of the market and all that. We'll all be happy with our plastic trees made by non-Americans especially since none of us will have jobs to pay for ones that grew here and supported Agriculture jobs here.
http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/11/0…
I love that people just jump on the band wagon instead of researching for the truth!! I read the USDA doc. from 2010 outlining this proposal initiated by the Tree growers themselves though I couldn't find that it went into effect anywhere.
Thanks Susan
Interesting. Pay an additional 15 cents to market Christmas trees. At the same time aren't we supposed to save the trees to help the environment? Either way, jobs will be lost and made somewhere else. It is another example of government thinking it can solve all our problems while creating more problems to solve in the process.
It is fodder because it is happening!
15 cents on a 40 dollar tree is still a 3.5% tax. The guys selling the tree are going to say that it wasn't their fault it was the government!
If they need the money get together and buy the marketing to promote their product.
Are we taxed for any other industries advertising.
I have never bought a tree grown in the USA anyway, all of the trees sold in NJ are from Canada .
Susan….that's the problem with our country at the moment. We have big business going to the government asking for handouts. If you really believe this program will help the growers of fine, made in USA Christmas trees, you are either senseless or naive. Do you really think the government can promote the Christmas tree industry better than the professionals who run it? This isn't about promoting Christmas trees. If it was, the Christmas tree industry would institute a self imposed fee per tree and hire a good marketing company. This is about fat cats cozying up to their government representatives for favors and pay-offs. Why would an industry accept or "request" to be taxed? What are they getting in return? How about a new government sponsored saw-mill or millions in tax breaks for other industry associated endeavours. Maybe?
Additionally…..nobody should care if we buy fake trees from China! We live in the greatest country the world has ever known! We are free to make whatever choices we deem worthwhile. That's what freedom means. Nobodys job is guaranteed. Should America have propped up the horse and buggy industry when the automobile came along? What about all those buggy whip makers that went hungry and homeless and filed for neverending unemployment benefits because nobody wanted they're made in USA buggy whips? Oh thats right….they found new work and/or invented something new. Who knows, maybe, just maybe…Apples visionary Steve Jobs had a great great grand parent who lost his job making who knows what which forced him to rely on his own skills or learn something new. Maybe he passed those ideals on to later generations and poof…..here I am communicating with you and countless millions by tapping away on a device inspired by the American idea of exceptionalism. The world economy is an everchanging environment and requires great effort on behalf of industry and particularly individuals in order to remain competitive and/or relevant. By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat thy bread all the days of your life.
Then they can follow up with an Easter egg tax and use the funds to enhance the image of chickens.
If you hear a loud repetitive noise.. that's me banging my head on the desk in pure frustration and overwhelming disgust.
Read the source material. This article is bogus. This is an industry-lead movement that started in early 2008… before Obama was in office. Partisanship is tearing this country apart. Irresponsible, sensationalist news from both the left and the right are doing a great disservice to our nation. Never take this garbage at face-value.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=… http://checkoffstudy.blogspot.com/2008/04/industr…
If the Christmas tree industry needs promoting, let them do it. The government does not need to insert it's nose into every aspect of our lives. Another hair brained idea that has no real value…americans will buy Christmas trees because of tradition.
What ever happened to separation of Church and State? This Tax is a religious Tax on Christians who observe Christmas and include in that religious celebration, a tree. I don't see a Tax on Hanakkah Bushes? Or Ramadan Dates? WAKE UP!!! Something is seriously wrong here.
Perhaps this is a brilliant plot to DAMAGE the image of Christmas trees by making the Federal Government the "official spokesperson" of holiday cheer.
The question that is not being asked is who is getting appointed to this idiotic promotion board and how much are they being paid – in cash, travel expenses, cars and other benefits. At a time of economic problems this is an insult to the American public. It would not surprise me at all if the pay and benefits were high and the appointments went to long time political supporters and functionaries looking for do nothing jobs.
freedom of religion much? I recall quite clearly that christmas trees could not be displayed in SEA-TAC airport because Jewish groups got up in arms.
Someone explain to me how the hell the Federal gov can put forth this blatant attempt at relgious favortism.
Nothing like separation of church and state.
Read the source material. This article is bogus. This is an industry-lead movement that started in early 2008… before Obama was in office. Partisanship is tearing this country apart. Irresponsible, sensationalist news from both the left and the right are doing a great disservice to our nation. Never take this garbage at face-value.
http://checkoffstudy.blogspot.com/2008/04/industr… http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=…
You've got to be kidding… I'm so glad the administration is focusing on more important issues than jobs and the economy.
There is absolutely no reason to "promote the image" of the Christmas tree. It is a symbol of Christmas known world wide to Christians and non Christians alike. Millions of trees are sold every year, some households have more than 1 in their home. Everyone knows what a Christmas tree is. A tax on trees isn't going to help farmers sell the trees, it isn't going to help growers grow more trees, it won't create jobs and it isn't going to help spread the word of the Christmas tree. This is a tax created solely to raise more money for the Obama administration to waste on entitlements and new, fun ways to impose on my personal freedoms. Disgusting. How dare you, Mr President, use such a wonderful symbol of holidays, cheer, family gathering, and hope to fund your reign of terror. Shame on you.
Hold it—-wait a minute.
I thought he was not going to impose any new taxes on the poor?????
Honest to goodness—-when will the people in this country wake up and realize we cant continue like this.
BenB
This is article is worth sharing but do not see the share button for facebook.
Only the Congress has the legal authority to levy new taxes. This is not just unseemly, it is illegal. Yes I know that is a moot point with this president, but I just wish more people would give a damn about how our government is supposed to work. No one bats an eye at executive overreach.
This is about as dumb as it gets. I'm beyond words…
I think we can put this in the category of "Complete Ridiculousness!" What will he think of next?!?
We can't mention God in public, but it's OK to tax Christmas trees. I think this should be opposed on a religious basis at 2 levels.
1) As a tax, it's is targeted specifically at christians and therefore constitues religious discrimination.
2) The money is supposed to be used to expand and support the Christmas tree industry. – Again a religious affilation that can be considered as Government endorsement of a Christianity. – I believe that violates one of those pesky Constitutional thingies that Obama never seems to worry about.
I also oppose it for reason #3: It's freaking stupid and completely intrusive and unneccessary.
I'll add another reason. Only Congress has to right to impose new taxes.
Wow. First a 10% tanning tax on white people now a tax on Christians' Christmas trees. Incredible.
haaahahahaha I just can not wait until next November!
Will someone lease wake me up… I must be dreaming.
I haven't read all of the comments, but it needs to be pointed out that there is NOTHING Christian about Christmas trees. If people really wanted to nullify the effects of this idiocy then don't buy a Christmas tree.
Really?? If you bothered to check your facts instead of making stupid comments you might find out that the Christmas tree is a christian tradition. The evergreen tree symbolizes the eternal life you can achieve through Christ. Is was started in Germany as a CHRISTIAN tradition….IDIOT!
Stop and think about "who" puts up Christmas trees and "why"….. this sounds like nothing more than a way to punish people for being a Christain.
Where in the Constitution does it talk about Christmas trees? Next it will be a tax on sheets of toilet paper! Get this guy out of office before we are all broke ……….. oh wait, we already are!
If a regular person started acting this goofy on the job, they would be sent for drug testing.
Since when does the Constitution allow the Executive Branch to levy a new tax?
Separation of church and state only applies when it benefits the government. They should have no right to tax a religious symbol. The evergreen tree is a symbol of everlasting life. It is a christial tradition symbolizing the ability to achieve everlasting life through Jesus Christ and God. They make federal buildings take down decorations symbolic of any religious beliefs due to separation of church and state so they should not be able to tax such religious symbol!
The so-called president of the United States is once again exhibiting his prejudice, and the prejudice of his cabinet towards Christian Americans. Christmas trees are as symbolic to Christian Americans as the Menorah is to Jewish Americans. Can you imagine the outrage and the political pressure that would be levied against Obama if he even considered a tax on Menorahs? Obama is anti-Christian, and every Christian American; every Christian worldwide needs to be vocally and politically outraged at such a tax attack on the Christmas symbolic Christmas tree. Wrtie, call, and exercise your rights by telling your legislator; telling the president; telling your neighbor that a TAX ON CHRISTMAS TREES IS A TAX ON CHRISTIANS. GET THAT PREJUDICE, ANTI-CHRISTIAN BUM OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE; THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.
Well is he taxing our wholesale and our retail market? Because that one tax takes another $1000.00 out of our income. We are a family of 7, and the 2nd generation to grow Christmas trees. My husband works hard and my kids do too, often without getting paid. We live below the national poverty level. Government regulations and fees just kill our small family business.
Yet, we are blessed to live on our 5th generation homestead ( which needs new siding and roofing etc., that we cannot afford) We grow a garden and every meal we eat from it, i point out to the kids how God has provided for us. Our college age daughter drives home every weekend (2 hrs.) to work about 24 hours at a local mega dairy. She loves her work. We cannot afford to help her out. She is blessed to be able to pay her rent, her carpayment, her electric bill and gas. We pay her car insurance. She has no health insurance. The rest of our family qualifies for medicaid and free lunch at school.
We are blessed to live our lives in the country and our extended family and friends believe so too. We rarely havetime to enjoy living here because there is always more work than we can do. We hire seasonal employees for shearing and harvest. Often times we feed them, because mostly they are unemployed.
Why tax us more? Tax the sale of Artificial trees HEAVILY and thereby you will support the American Farmer. Made In America!
God Bless!
Just buy an artificial tree. I haven't had a live Christmas tree in about 40 years.
Really? We need a Federal program to promote the 'image' of the American Christmas tree? Huh. Who knew?
I thought lights enhanced the image of the Christmas tree. Soon we'll be mandated to use LED or micro-swirly fluorescent bulbs. Also, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" paints a negative image of Christmas trees, so that will have to be banned.
"designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; "
Gov't…Get out of the marketplace. Stop meddling in the market place!
P.S. It's Bush's Fault <– to be read with the most sarcasm you can muster
If the Christmas Tree has a marketing problem, can someone please explain to me how the government can fix this problem better than a private organization, the National Christmas Tree Association.
Math, .15 for every tree from the merchant, means that he will have to cover his loses on trees not sold, so the tax that is passed on will have to be: (lets be conservative) $1.
So estimating 150 million homes, cut that in half because not every one uses a REAL tree, you have 75 millionCut that in half again because some religion do not put up trees, so 37.5 million households.
Take away 20% due to the expense of having a real tree due to the economy, 30 million.
So consumers pay an additional 30 million dollars in a one time tax for Obama's re-election campaign.
Lets us consider that it is CONGRESS's job to levy taxes (Article 1, section 8), not the usurper in chief.
Lets us consider that the tax ONLY applies to Christians, (No Menorah tax)
Lets us consider that the politically correct have not called it a Christmas Tree in almost a decade points out a specific duplicity.
And last but NOT least, since he does impulsive mandates like this, wh is to say that the next time your dog poops you will have to pay a tax.
So typical of the sycophants in the federal government. Pass an act without specific constitutional power or justification or jurisdiction and then cite the act as if it somehow provides that power irrespective of there being a specific constitutional power.
Hi I have looked at the USDA web page and can find NO info on this except the original request back in 2010 which was initiated by the Christmas Tree farmers themselves. I can't find any reference to it being imposed starting this year. It would be surprising if it were since it was just Nov 5 of 2010 that this was introduced for research and the government never is that quick to change things.
This is to promote Christmas trees to all the people who might not otherwise buy them?
Are you sure this isn't an Onion fake news story? I hate for this site to be another "victim" of The Onion…
That said, it fits this administration perfectly. What a sorry group of bureaucrat socialists.
No Joke….just classic Liberal/Progressive think and tactics…..I need to tax you to "Help" you……..don't you understand the money is going for your own good.
You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch!
You're a nasty, wasty skunk!
Your heart is full of unwashed socks.
Your soul is full of gunk,
Mr. Grinch!
The three words that best describe you
Are as follows, and I quote,
"Stink, stank, stunk!"
This is – as most heritage.org headlines are – incredibly deceiving and false.
The whole idea was BROUGHT to the USDA by the tree industry, THEY asked for it to be approved, and the tax is paid by the producers and growers and put into a kitty to promote "real" trees. Basically, the artificial trees are all made overseas (and out of petroleum, too), and the "live" trees are domestically produced. So, the growers are banding together and raising capital for an industry wide marketing campaign, much like the egg or milk board does. (Got milk?)
It has nothing to do with Obama, it wasn't any government official's idea, and the conservatives are trying to use it to take a shot at him, knowing it is completely deceiving.
how is this any different than any of the other specialty crop industry self assessments that are created to increase demand? Come on people, critical thinking skills please. These industry promotion boards exist for peanuts, blueberries, watermelons, pecans, and a host of other commodities, and this particular board has 70% of growers in favor of it (with small growers being exempt). So when you're shopping for Christmas trees this year, look for that tree that's $50.14 and not $49.99 and that'll be from the tree farmer that's passing on his self assessment to you. (my guess is you won't see that tree price anywhere, but far be it from me to stop folks from getting worked up over nothing)
Why on earth would he think that was a good idea? Does he not understand that people don't like to have to pay -more- for things? I wonder how many children will have to put up with plastic trees or none at all. But enough people will still get real trees that he'll still think it was a good idea.
They scream about Corporate Greed? What about GOVERNMENT GREED? When is it enough? what next, an Easter Egg Tax? a Halloween Candy Tax? How about a "stealing candy from a Baby" tax? When is it enough?
How low can you go obama?! Less government now! We don't need a Christmas tree tax and we don't need you either! I pray to God in heaven that you are voted out this next election
The job of the government is to protect and defend it's citizens.Really, Mr. President, does this fit that criteria?
This is so unfair! After all, this is 15 cents for everyone purchasing a tree regardless of whether you are rich or poor. It needs to be changed to 1 cent for every dollar you spend on a tree. That way…you know….the rich pay their fair share and next year everyone gets a tree for free. Yipeeeee!!
So… If I sell Holiday Trees as opposed to Christmas Trees do I still have to pay this tax?
Good thing the White House will not have a Christmas Tree this year. Instead they will have a Holiday Tree. (No joke). Seems like a good way to skirt the tax and be politically correct for voters of non-Christian faith. If our federal government wants to improve the image of Christmas Trees then maybe they should start at the White House with that tree. If the sellers of 500 or more fresh trees in this holiday season call them "Holiday Trees", will they be able to avoid this tax? Our whole government is a Joke. Vote out ALL incumbents.
A bit Grinchy, I would say…
WHY ? Why? Why is the federal government in the Christmas tree marketing business?
LOL. I was intrigued by this post so searched out the full story on development of this promotion board. It has been more than a year since the process started. During the comment period, more than 70% of comments were in favor of the proposal. There is a limit as to the amount of funding that can be used for administrative costs and the promotion board will be reviewed in 3 years. Commodity promotion boards are so common in the agricultural world that there are specific procedures for proposing and implementing them.
Oh, yes – my GOD, the HORROR! 15 WHOLE CENTS – per 500 – Christmas trees! The nightmare! My God, consumers could be affected by having to pay 0.00000000000000.1 of one whole cent more! If that! I don't know how I'll sleep at night!
Wow, you people are SERIOUSLY concerned about a 15 cent tax on someone selling 500 Christmas trees? Do you seriously think that's going to hurt ANYBODY? Good lord. Get a hobby.
WOW! Amazing that this country has come to this…home of the police state and taxed to death! Not home of the free or brave anymore. Lets impose a "fee' on people who are already having trouble putting food on the table and clothes on their back…..
I just searched the Code of Federal Regulations, and the below is all that is referenced to Christmas trees. So the question is, is this story for real? I'm no Obama fan at all, but there is enough to blame him for screwing up in this country country, if this is just a joke
[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 7, Volume 10]
[Revised as of January 1, 2006] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1437.306] [Page 586-587]
TITLE 7–AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER XIV–COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
PART 1437_NONINSURED CROP DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM–Table of Contents
Subpart D_Determining Coverage Using Value
Sec. 1437.306 Christmas tree crops.
(a) A Christmas tree is a value loss crop and may generate a claim
for benefits under this part only if the tree was grown exclusively for
commercial use as a Christmas tree, and only if other requirements of
this section are met.
Keep voting for Dems and Repubs and this is what you will keep getting, folks! Thanks for nothing!
Continuation of my previous comment with the rest of the CFR.
[[Page 587]]
(b) The unit of measure for all Christmas tree crops is a plant.
(c) A Christmas tree having any value as a Christmas tree, or a
damaged Christmas tree that may rejuvenate and re-establish value as a
Christmas tree, shall be considered as worth full value based on the age
of the tree at the time of disaster.
one more year…
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.
This should NOT be part of the governments responsibility. If tree growers want something like this done, the tree growers association should do it.
Ho, ho, horrible.
A tax to "promote" Christmas trees?? What? This will help them sell more?
The President does not have the authority to just make up new taxes. Read the Constitution.
Soooo…. if I get a holiday tree, I don't have to pay this tax???
This sounds like the mafia. We protect you, give us the money.
It makes the traditional Christmas tree a government program. The Christmas tree will belong to the Government to be diluted as a symbol of Germanic / solstice / Christian (particularly CHRISTIAN) and make it symbol of Government taxed consumption. The US Government now "owns" the symbol and can re-brand it. As the Christians co-opted the Germanic symbolism and made it about Christian Birth and rebirth and Promise of a new season and Life, now the Government has done the same… The Government getting between the people/believers and making it about White Houses, Obamas, Secularists, Taxes, …. like a lawyer who gets between you and your money to make it flow through them and tax you for the privilege of turning over control of it to them.
seperation of church and state … seems like promoting a christian symbol kind of violates that idea doesn't it ? (I'm being sarcastic btw … but I'll bet there are some atheists who will object)
How is it the administration is against allowing Christmas trees on public property and in public buildings because they are "religious" symbols and then tax them under ridicules pretenses to raise more money for the administration to spend? If Christmas trees are in fact a religious symbol then government should not be allowed to tax them because they are taxing my religious right! I think this administration is grasping at straws to get more pennies in their coffers!
Wow, I love this line right here:
Acting Administrator Shipman had the temerity to say the 15-cent mandatory Christmas tree fee “is not a tax nor does it yield revenue for the Federal government"
Acting Admin Shipman should be fired for his inability to defne the word revenue. Are you collecting the 15 cents or not? If you are, that's revenue. It doesn't matter if you intend to use it to bailout Santa or pay down the national debt. It is still revenue. As an accounting & finance professional, its really scary that government officials have no idea what revenue is.
Shouldn't it be "The Holiday Tree" ??
Lest we offend someone?
Excellent point. These guys just don't know where to go with their attacks, like Holder and border guard murder. Shipman says oops, waddayamean revenue, Holder says oh shame on my underlings for goofing off.
I didn't know that April 1st was here already! Can't wait for November 6th next year, though!
I guarantee this is a foot in the door to overly regulate and destroy another industry.
…and anyone who opposes the Christmas Tree Tax just wants to starve elderly elves and throw poor Santa Claus over the cliff.
So the Grinch has now passed a tax on Christmas trees! What's next? Tax Cindy Lou Who for her glass of water before she goes to bed?? I would say that this administration is a joke, except that this is far more disturbing than even a joke in the poorest taste. Our country is circling the drain and this is what the president focuses on? If we are subjected to 4 more years of this kind of lunacy our once great country will be relegated to third world status!
And it came to pass in those days,there went out a decree from Obama, that all the nation should be taxed on Christmas trees.
I bet he won't get taxed on a tree for his family, better yet he will probally use airforce 1 to go pick it up and charge the us for it!!!
This is just the beginning. Next comes the Federal Turkey Tax. This program seeks to bring the intelligence of domestic Turkeys up to the level of Obama voters. With another 100 billion in stimulus funds this program will create 1000 brand new federal jobs to administer the IQ tests.
It's funny that you all think the president did this. If you were to read multiple new sources on this topic, you would see that Christmas tree sellers themselves proposed this Christmas Tree Promotion Board in order to promote live Christmas trees over artificial ones.
Wake up people. This is just another way for Obama to attack Chistianity. Who is to say this marxist doesn't use the money to weaken the Christmas Tree industry. Adding 15% to the cost of a tree will make it so many people won't be able to buy a tree. Some help to an industry. How about a 15% tax on all democrats to help further their image. Ridiculous!
15 cents not percent but STILL STUPID if it was a penny
How many of his croneys are now employed by the committee on Christmas Trees. This is just another of his selfish programs to enhance his friends income.
Obama–can't create jobs–but man, he is in his element for tax creation. He has done a great job with Solyndra, Beacon Power, Fast and Furious and on and on. What a laughing stock we are as a country with him in charge. As he stated about Netanhahu " I have to deal with him every day". We have to deal with him every day. What a lame excuse for a POTUS.
I assume the first thing that must be done to promote them is to rename them Holiday Trees. Otherwise the govt is necessarily promoting religion – a strict no-no under our Constitution. Stupid AND unconstitutional, but what else can we expect?
Did it ever occur to those who are so quick to diss Obama that the Christmas tree lobby might have gone to the Department of Ag seekign help to promote live Christmas tree sales to reverse decline revenues. Probably not because it doesn't support their poltical agenda.
Blatantly Anti-Christian
we are total fools if he gets another term
Funny how Democrats never use the word Christmas except when it relates to a tax. Outrageous, truly beyond the pale. As a political party the Democrats are done.
Why not cut the price of Xmas trees 15%? Wouldn't that help boost sales and create jobs growing trees in the US? Adding 15% to the price through a new fee is just going to drive people to synthetic trees made from oil, mostly in China. I'm surprised that a smart guy like Obama can't figure this out.
Government tax on Christmas trees to promote the image of Christmas trees? Obama needs to go.
Well for sure now, I am going artificial this year. But do remember, it is for those selling 500 or more trees. If you do buy a fresh one make SURE it falls under the 500 mark so no tax applies. IMHO I would like to see the majority go artificial. Show these bums we mean bsuiness! Oh yeah, show these bums the door also!!!
Did I just hear an Obama appointee invoke the name of Christ. Aren't they supposed to be "holiday trees?"
It sounds like Eric Holder needs to get on this and sue the department of Agriculture. This could "stimulate" the need for at least 1000 new federal lawyers.
They just don't get it, how does this solve the spending problem? This ranks up there with the studies on Moneys taking cocaine. The liberals in gov't just can't stop themselves from spending more money, spending money is their crack and the just can't give it up. Nov 2012 can't come soon enough!!!!
Be afraid of any government that expends markets. Or news services that rely on spell check.
How is it that we allow departments and agencies to tax us?
On the federal level, only Congress can appropriate funds.
I hope Ron Paul gets elected. And if he does, keep his word
and clean up these redundant departments.
Sounds like a headline from The Onion. But, then, of course, most of what this administration has done does….
Wow! Christmas trees? Really??? Isn't Christmas a religious holiday. Ya know like the birth of Christ? I guess no separation between church and state when you can make a buck from it. Nice job Mr. Prez.. Who ya going to redistribute that money to? Maybe you can use it for a free giveaway of Christmas trees. Another entitlement program. Brilliant!
Imported or Domestic Trees
When was the last time anyone talked about the poor image of Christmas trees? If you do not like the selection at one lot, you are free to go to another one or buy a fake tree. This is a ridiculous misuse of authority. Everyone concerned should contact their legislators to ask politely that whatever legislation gave the president the authority to do this type of stupid overeach be eliminated.
Better quit that laughing, Non-Christians! You're next for marketing & image improvement taxes:
Jews – Menorah Tax
Hindus – Tilaka Tax
Buddhists – Buddha Statue Tax
Agnostics – Darwin sticker tax
Jehovah Witnesses – White, Short-sleeve, Button-up Shirt Tax
What a Grinch!
What's next? An egg tax for Easter? I"m sure the image of eggs is going down.
Does that include Christmas trees erected in public places with manger scenes under them? What a disgusting hypocrite this guy is!
Obama is a joke, taxes Christmas trees, what's next, tax the air, swimming in the Ocean.
This is not dumb, nor is it stupid, when you realize what the real intent of the tax is. It's to get you used to being taxed for anything and everything. It's conditioning. Think about it: if you tax Christmas tress, you can taxa anything. Even the carbon tax program essentially taxes the air that you breath, so why not Christmas tress? Get used to it people.
Are 'Holiday Trees" also taxed, or just Christmas trees?
Did you hear that they are also going to start taxing every time you flush the toilet? That is what this One term Obama – Chicago style administration is all about. Tax them and we "DEMS" will spend it for what ever the Demigods want. Just kidding about the toilet flush tax, but that is what they are doing with our Tax dollars for those of us who pay taxes. This Christmas tree tax is ridiculous.
Me and all my family, and I have a large family (many christmas trees) is now going out and cutting down our own. I think thats what everyone should do. In your face treehuggers.
It was SELF imposed by the Agriculture Department after taking feedback from over 500 tree farmers that want to promote live trees vs. plastic. To repeat, there was a comment period and many tree farmers requested this tax as a promotional and protective measure against cheap Chinese plastic trees.
Secondly, this is no different than the following industry campaigns:
1) "Beef. It's what's for dinner"
2) "Cotton. The fabric of our lives"
3) "Milk. It does a body good"
4) "Pork. The other white meat."
Let it go people.
That doesn't make sense; taxing something makes the product sales go down.
As for government ad campaigns, everytime I see a new one for a race, I dislike that canidate more, even if I agree with most of his policies. Plus, remember D.A.R.E.? Stranger danger? Those weren't exactly rousing successes.
Furthermore, the tax is passed on to the consumer, so it isn't "self imposed" because they're not the ones paying the price (except for a dip in sales).
There is a BIG DIFFERENCE!
Beef, milk, cotton, and pork industries don't revolve around a NATIONAL and SACRED holiday! The Christmas tree is a given. Beef, milk, cotten and pork are not!
That makes ZERO sense. The tax is on LIVE trees, not on the "cheap plastic imports".
Uh, yes it is. Those you mentioned at the bottom were instituted by their respective industry councils. Not by the Ag Dept.
Yea, I vote that we remove the same marketing tax for ANY American grower. Why should Beef ranchers or Cotton growers have the benefit of national marketing? Why not Rayon manufacturers or Chicken ranchers? I say the government shouldn't have ANY role in this at all – let the farmers fend for themselves instead of spending Federal money on marketing.
buy a fake one this year.
Honestly, you can't make stuff up.
Oh well, I guess I'll be buying a fake tree this year.
So sad.
Mmm. When they are taxing it, suddenly it's a Christmas tree, no longer a 'Holiday' tree.
We've always known how petty Obama is, but just how low can he stoop? Yet he misses the big picture completely.
seems our leaders have the minds of children.They will say or do anything for a dollar
Time for a Tree Party? I'm surprised the turkey tax hasn't hit yet. I'm sure the government could improve the turkey's image. Maybe we could take away the turkey's pilgrim hat and replace it with a backwards ball-cap.
Will someone please explain to me why a government agency (Dept of agriculture) has any business imposing a marketing campaign for a private sector business? Why doesn't this industry segment do this on their own?? Does the dept of commerce tax people to promote Walmart's image? It's the same thing.
We would gain som much by eliminating 90% of our government,
The revenue generated will undoubtedly become a slush fund for Progressive agenda goals . It is kinda
clever in that it serves a 2-fold objective : More dollars in Progressive coffers , and ,, if people refuse to buy
trees in protest , it helps their efforts to marginalize religion by removing symbols , and diminishing the
relevance of the Christmas spirit . We are truly witnessing the advent of Marxism in America . I say , buy an
artificial tree , and exercise your right to remove these Godless people from ALL Government institutions
in Nov. 2012 .
With all the self-created crises going on. Obama chooses to tax this.
Proof he can't see the wood for the trees…
Forget the idiotic fifteen cent tax. How much is it going to cost sellers comply with these new regulations? That is where the real costs are buried and those are the real costs that will be passed on to consumers.
Meanwhile, in the future:
Next headline: "Christmas Tree Sales fall Dramatically"
in the article:
Christmas Tree Sales fall to an all time low, Obama Administration says "We don't understand it, we didn't raise any taxes, and the new 15% fee we have imposed was meant to increase sales." After expert studies declare that the fall in sales of Christmas trees was due to increased tax rates per tree. A local Christmas Tree salesman says "The people are complaining they are tired of new taxes and the prices have gone too high." A local on the street says "We do not need a tree, we have an artificial tree from years back we already paid taxes on"
Reporter adds his/her opinion:
Obama has tried is best to bring the sale of Christmas Trees up by imposing a new fee earlier this year that would fund a federal program to aid in the marketing of the trees. Though there is not any new taxes on the trees, we fear this new fee may have affected the sale of the trees nation wide.We will have our investigators look into this further. (which they never do)
Obama Administration response to public:
"We understand that this is a difficult time for all Americans, but shut up and eat your peas." We have not raised taxes on the trees, only imposed a fee. We will spend more money now setting up a new committee to find out why the sale of Christmas Trees fell so dramatically. We will not raise taxes, but we will have to impose a new [whatever] fee to fund the new committee."
Make no mistake, the funds collected from this Christian-targeted tax will be used to further secularize Christmas and dilute the true meaning of this holiday. The "image improvement" that we are paying for is very likely to take the form of a PR campaign like the one orange juice producers used years ago: Orange Juice – It's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore! And so, "Holiday Tree's – They're Not Just for Christmas Anymore," will serve as a meme to re-brand the Christmas tree as something that has no religious significance. In other words, the "image problem" that the trees currently have, the part that seems to need fixing, is the aspect that people associate them with a Christian holiday. If they are successful at swapping the word "holiday" for "Christmas", they are also successful at pruning away the root-word "Christ" yet one more time from our national heritage. And they will have used our own money to pay for the pruning shears.
So what crony marketing firm is getting the revenue? Who friend of who is this.
Doesn't Congress need to be involved in levying taxes and instituting new fees?
Tax and tax and tax and tax and tax…….And 43% of the country still support this president? Tells you something about our country, doesn't it? Our system of government is now an "Ineptocracy"
Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc?-ra-cy) – a system of government where the
least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.
I have no issue with making the argument against it, but at least do it honestly. What this articles fails to point out is that the industry asked for this promotional panel because of the growth in fake trees. NONE of this money goes to increase government revenue, it is purely to fund the marketing program the industry itself wanted.
Maybe the agriculture department should have said NO, but the above is material to the discussion and was purposely (I suggest) left out.
If the tax is on "Christmas Trees" can all the "tree" sellers change their signs to "Tannenbaums For Sale" & when the Fed's come around for the tax the sellers can truthfully say they are not selling "Christmas Trees".
This was created in 2008 under the Bush administration, with the Christmas tree industry working with the Dept of Ag.
http://mediamatters.org/blog/201111090001
Tax and tax and tax and tax and tax…….And 43% of the country still support this president? Tells you something about our country, doesn't it? Our system of government is now an "Ineptocracy"
Christmas tree? What is that? If only I had a way of learning what a Christmas tree was, I might go buy one… I know! The Government can tell me thru advertisement what a Christmas tree is! I like this idea!!!
It's 15 cents people. Bunch of frickin' babies.
Haha are you serious OBAMA.. What next? Taxes on dirt… Please. This is the kind of president people actually wanted in office…What's the world coming to?
You are all morons, author included.
A. The president has nothing to do with this tax
B. How many of you idiots will be affected by 15cent on one $100 purchase per year
Classic irresponsible writing:
Begin with "Acting Administrator Shipman had the temerity to say…."
End with "Mr. President, that’s a new 15-cent tax…"
I didn't know the acting administrator was the president.
Guess that ol' "separation of church and state" thing goes out the window when the federales want to tax something, eh. Can't have a Christmas Tree on gummint property but you can have a tax on the privare sales of Christmas Trees. The war on Christianity continues, and now its being funded by Christians.
Another unconstitutional imposition upon American Christians.
Shouldn't he put a tax on Menorahs too? :)
Well, I am glad Mr Obama has time to worry about the marketing of Christmas trees. Like one commenter said, "$.14 of it will probably go to administrative costs."
Good Lord, has his administration gotten to this level?
I guess this is the "Change" we were promised.
Tax and Fee's that's what it is all about…Tax and Fee's!!!!
You need to voice your frustration by writing your state reps. and congress(wo)men!!!
Time to buy a new fake tree made in China.
If this tax isn't a joke, then it's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard of. But I guess with his new panel of researchers and marketers of Christmas trees, Obama can say he's creating new jobs.
Let me get this straight: Obama thinks a tax is needed to improve the image of Christmas trees? What, pray tell, does he think is wrong with the image of Christmas trees, other than the fact that they are a Christian symbol? This president is a disgrace to America.
How does he Agriculture Department levy a tax? Has the 16th Amendment been changed?
A government that is desperate for money and is fanatical about control and power will tax ANYTHING.
The government has not business improving "the image and marketing of Christmas trees." That is what the Christmas tree industry and whatever Christmas tree association that may exist ought to do. The government is suppose to be there to make sure laws are obeyed, their is a safe and competitive environment, NOT stick its greedy fingers into places where it doesn't belong.
Can they even do this? i wasn't aware that the executive branch could unilaterally impose a new TAX. They may want to call it a fee or whatever, it's still a tax. And using an act from 1996 is bogus, i don't believe that the constitution allows for the delegation of legislative powers to the executive branch for anything, and a 1996 law does not an amendment make. How much will we let them screw us before stop ALL this unconstitutional delegation (see federal reserve coining money for the most blatantly unconstitutional example).
Time to start selling Holiday Trees.
fine…let's impose the same tax on menorahs and prayer rugs, maybe a little image improvement could be used on the latter too.
Just when we thought there were enough good reasons to clean out the white house and restore common sense, eradicate the deceit and lies, finish with the punitive attitude the dems have against America, replace the current administration filled with incompetants and evict from public housing the buffoon in chief, we are once again gifted with yet another of the endless reasons to go to the polls in 2012 and begin the healing.
If you were one of those who wasted your votes by not listening to what was being said, instead of just wanting the freebies that the liar promised you, please admit – at least to yourself – that you are incapable of casting an intelligent vote and don't do it again so as to inflict this type of disaster on America.
This is not an Obama proposal. It was made by Republican U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, NC.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/02/22/v-print/109…
I think even the ACLU would not like this since it's promoting "Christmas" Trees not "Holiday" Trees.
OMG! That 15 cents is going to kill me this year! That's it, no tree! Christmas is ruined!
Oh wait, what's this between the cushions on the couch? Oh, it's a quarter! Yay! Christmas is saved!!!
A 0.15c per Christmas tree tax, in order to promote mass, annual deforestation? Odd and disturbing from our progressive "green" president.
So he wants God and Jesus taken out of our country and removed as our founding fathers principles the country was built on, now he wants a tax to form a committe on how to figure out how to market xmas trees? Duh, you need to promote xmas to market xmas trees dummy!
You should read the reasoning behind this before you make STUPID assumptions. The Christmas tree industry is losing huge market share every year to fake trees. This tax is to fund an ad campaign, similar to that of MANY other commodity industries, that will promote the purchase of real trees. The majority of tree farms in the country agree with the tax. Oh… and also…. IT'S 15 CENTS! People pay like 50 bucks for a tree that they will use for a max of 2 months and they are pissed that the price might be raised bu 15 cents? get a life….. there are bigger issues out there to worry about…. like all the jobs that are lost each year at tree farms who are going under from lack of sales.
I remember an excellent scene in "Dave," the movie where a regular guy who looks like the POTUS gets to be the POTUS for a while. Dave is trying to save money in a bunch of areas in order to save some homeless shelters. He says something like this to the Dept of Trans person, "So, we're spending xx million dollars on an ad campaign to make people feel better about a car that they already purchases?"
Sorry, if the farmers can't keep up, then let capitalism prevail. Last i checked, Christmas Trees were not a vital commodity or utility.
I am pretty sure that advertising(which is what this tax is all about) plays a pretty large role in capitalism…. So… that was a dumb statement. Also, it would be dumb to allow all of the AMERICAN tree farmers jobs to be lost to another country- because you KNOW those fake trees aren't being made here… because nothing is made here anymore. Also…. the tree tax was proposed by the tree farmers themselves… not the POTUS. Finally, I'm pretty sure that you don't know the definition of the word commodity… so go look it up. And if you don't consider it vital- then I suggest you go tell that to the people in THIS county who rely on that commodity to make a living.
YOU ARE IGNORANT
Seriously???? I wonder if I can get a job on this Christmas Tree Board…. now 15 cents does not make a difference to the consumer, but really creating yet more government jobs.
This will likely promote the sale of "holiday" trees. The objective may be to take Christ out of Christmas. If you must buy a "holiday" tree, we need a proper ceremony to ask that the "holiday" tree be converted to a Christmas tree.
Hey, I didn't vote for this guy, so can't it be limited to the people who did vote for him?
I get the sense that this administrator only publishes comments bashing Obama. Sad, really. Anyone else out there try to make educated, informative comments about the truth behind this tax…. Thst This tax is to SAVE AMERICAN tree farmers… Only to have it never show up? The tax was requsted by AMERICAN tree farmers to create money for advertising to get people from buying Fake Christmas trees overseas!! They are trying to save an AMERICAN farming market!!! But yet these dim, uneducated comments like "Obama is stupid"… show up? SO informative, thank you. It baffles me at how closed minded people really are.
You are the "dim, uneducated" one! If tree farmers need marketing and image promotion, they should organize their own PRIVATE marketing firm. Government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers!
And what money will they do that with when they have lost 17 Million dollars in sales in the last decade?? You are right, we should all sit back and let this American market die and just lose more American jobs! Bravo, Way to give 15 cents to help your fellow American keep his job!!
Just what we heard from you Libs about Government Motors… Why stop at 15 cents??? Just nationalize tree farming in the US and create as many (union?) jobs as you want with more deficit spending! Geez, you guys just don't get it…
Yes, Open Your Mind, nothing like increasing the price with a tax on an item that you're trying to get people to buy, which ultimately makes it more expensive, and thus less likely to be bought, but then again. That is common sense.
They are trying to keep people from buying artificial trees, you know, like, overseas and stuff. Yea, let's outsource for a Christmas tree, great idea, not! They are trying to advertise to keep money spent on American tree farms!!!!
Did you notice he used the words 'Christmas tree' instead of 'holiday;. So if I go out and declare it to be a holiday tree, am I able to avoid this idiotic punishment from the federal government. Where the hell are the repubs on this – they should have been all over this by this morning.
Someone told me that the Christmas tree farmers association voluntarily agreed to impose this tax. I don't think ANYONE would voluntarily impose a tax that they had to remit to the federal government for "promotional purposes." Really?"
It's a tax on being a Christian….thanks Mr. President.
This has got to be an article in "The Onion" right ?!?!?!?
And if this is real, when will other "religions" like Islamism or Kwanza be subjected to taxes?!?!?!?
No worries, I ain't holding my breath on this one…………………………………………………………….
Since only Christians celebrate Christmas, and only those celebrating Christmas put up Christmas Trees, this is clearly a discriminatory tax on Christians and their observation of their holiday. As such, it is patently unconstitutional — and clearly not surprising.
Taxation without representation. Boycott Christmas Trees
there were roughly 27 million live Christmas trees sold in the U.S. in 2010. With a .15 tax, that's roughly 4 million in revenue. Just how far will that revenue go supporting another government department, studies, marketing, etc. This is just more government debt. By the way, the official wording is "initial .15 cent tax".
Issues: 1. This is government promoting a specific religion.
2. This is government taxing a specific religion.
3. This is profound government stupidity.
4. More spending.
5. More government.
6. More government interference.
2012: No incumbents.
I don't need a tree now. Thanks Prez!
15 cents is no big deal. It's just another example of death by a thousand cuts.
When did the President get the authority to impose a new tax?
Section. 7.
All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Quote "Nobody is saying President Obama doesn’t have authority to impose his new Christmas Tree Tax —"
Really? maybe you should read your constitution again sir. I would think a writer at the heritage foundation would know the constitution a little better huh?
We have huge problems in our economy and this is what we get out of the White House….what a joke!!!
I want one of the inevitable $100,000 a year jobs at the Christmas Tree Promotion Board plus Cadillac health care and a generous pension.
But wait…where is the ACLU? Isn't promoting Christmas trees a violation of separation of church and state?
This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I voted for Obama but I regret it now! Apparently no one is worried about healthcare or unemployment… everyone needs to read this
Oh for Pete sake you guys, this is a program proposed by the growers themselves, just like the milk, beef and cotton industries have done. "Fresh-tree sales declined from 37 million in 1991 to 31 million in 2007, according to the USDA. Artificial tree sales, meanwhile, nearly doubled, to 17.4 million, from 2003 to 2007." This is a program that the US tree growers and the USDA created to promote fresh Christmas tree sales, you know…advertising! Why are you folks against good business practices?
I was under the impression that our Constitution granted the right to tax to Congress. I guess Christmas tree 'charges' fall into one of those 'penumbras' the Supreme Court tells us about.
Pilfering its citizens, well.. One group of citizens anyway, and attacking their traditions, Well.. One groups traditions anyway. A "Federal Government" program, funded by "Christian" taxpayers too… well, help us with our silly, offensive "Holiday trees". This is flat out discrimination and theft. With each passing day, this government becomes more and more criminal and pathetic!
Print this artice and hand it out in front of a Christmas tree stand to everyone who buys a tree.
Must be there are votes to be bought amongst the Christmas Tree Promotion Board crowd.
Jimmy Carter—No longer our crappiest president.
This is just a precursor to a federal mandate requiring that all Christmas trees grown and sold in the US must be grown and sold by unionized labor only, as this is the only way the Christmas Tree will survive and be fair to the growers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HA, HA. More hope and change on the way!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you voters.
I'm sure tree sellers can inform customers who intend use the tree as "Christmas Trees" can simply inform them where tax should then be sent …
OMG can I say what a jerk. We have survived 400 years without this tax. Hello, apparently he did not study US History in Maylasia and understand why the settlers came here. Thomas Jefferson is rolling over in his grave at this
For every 15 cents they get, they will spend a dollar paying themselves to collect the 15 cents and then do nothing with the 15 cents because there is not enough money in the budget, and it goes round and round…
Awwwe the president speaks of Christmas all ready so it must be time for me to put in a word with Santa now……
Dear Santa, all i want for Christmas is Obama removed from our White house.
Thank You
A Christian Christmas Tree Lover.
They are only willing to "SELF TAX" because they turn a $.15 self tax into a $.50 increase for the consumer. It's just the way business works. No one that has the ability to succesfully run a business is going to just eat the cost added from new taxes, whether they request those taxes or not.
It appears to me that a fee or tax on Christmas trees is a violation of Amendment #1-Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…This seems to be a tax on celebrating Christmas No matter how or bt whom it is collected, the comsumer is the one who ultimately pays the tax or fee-not much difference in those two 3 letter words.
Of course he doesn't care, because his Christmas tree will be paid for by the tax payers. rolls eyes
My guess is the first act of this new Promotion Board will be to rename it the "Holiday Tree". They hey will justify this by saying it opens the market to the use of trees in more months AND doesn't "offend" those who don't celebrate Christmas.
How do you improve the image of Christmas trees? Everyone I know already thinks they're pretty darn nice. However the handwriting is on the wall. Start with a 15 cent tax this year. Next year it will be 30 cents, and eventually it will increase to a few dollars as the Bureau of Christmas Tree Control and Promotion continues to grow every year. No doubt it will be so efficient and successful in its mission that it will attract the attention and ire of the eco-whackos and greenie wiernies who will mount a campaign to "save the Christmas tree for future generations. The Feds will then create another department in support of this noble effort, and the DOJ will find a law which outlaws Christmas tree entirely!
At the most teh DoA is only going to get about $22.5M for about 150M trees out of about 300M American homes. Then to mandate it! Whether you want to pay for it or not. This just means the cost of a tree is going to go up for the consumer.
What about the separation of church and state?? This *reeks* of government endorsement of a particular religion. Where's the ACLU???
I see people harvesting their own trees and obliterating forests as a form of resistance. Nice incentive. I wonder if "holiday" trees are included?
This is just Marxist foolishness. The Christmas tree industry does not need any "help" from the Federal government.
I'm confused. Our government agencies makes now makes us call them "holiday trees" — we can't say "Christmas" or we will offend those of other faiths. Changing that would better promote the Christmas tree, wouldn't it?
The Feds are promoting and taxing Christmas Trees that are banned from public owned buildings. Huh?
Here in Texas we've done the same thing with cattle. One dollar from each animal sold is sent into a beef marketing program, to advertise and promote beef. The only difference is that it was implemented by the private sector beef council, not the government. That's how all of these should be handled. If they are going to do this then I demand they appoint a Christmas Czar immediatley. I nominate the Grinch. Oh, wait, he's already got a job, or rather more a position I should say. Sorry Eric Holder.
WOW! What a joke! What will he tax next………….this is about the dumbest thing that our President should be doing right now!
1) obama probably never heard of this fee
2) i bet there were all sorts of taxes and fees like this that happened under bush, but you never heard wingnuts complaining about them then – no one more tribal than a wingnut.
There are record millions of people on Food Stamps and living beneath the poverty level, and this fool Obama imposes a TAX to improve the image of Christmas Trees! If it weren't so sad, it would be hysterical. This guy Obama has to be THE worst modern day decision Americans have made. We all need to admit, we screwed up electing this guy. I hated Hillary, but never would she have been this much of a disaster. This is the final straw, and we all need to vote Obama out of office!! We cannot allow him more time without needing to appease the masses with a new election. He will shove through all of his socialist philospophy adgemda upon us in the next few years. ANYONE WILL BE A BETTER PRESIDENT THATN OBAM. VOTE FOR ANYONE BUT OBAMA. I crewed up once….not again! Obam…you just lost my vote!!!
That load of manure should make the Christmas Trees grow quite a bit.
How about the Holiday tree – Tax?
I see a Supreme Court challenge!
How can the Obama administration blantantly promote an iconic symbol of a Christian holiday to the exclusion of others? What about equal time (and taxes) for the promotion and image enhancement for menorah's, prayer rugs and Buddahs?
Bolshevik criminals infesting our governments won't be happy until we are all impoverished and they are lords and masters of us all, catering to their every whim.
Looks like the Soviets won cold war after all. We are in no better political and economic shape than they were.
Are we sure it will be called the CHRISTMAS tree industry? 15 cents may be worth our government acknowledging the holiday!
since the Whitehouse always has the largest tree around..he should be triple taxed.
Talk about a conflicted mind. On the one hand the gov't is doing all it can to eliminate any reference to "Christmas" and Christianity during the "December Holiday" season, but to appear to look sympathetic, ti comes up with this??? At least they could at least eliminate the hypocrisy and call it a "December Holiday Tree Tax"
It violates the First Amendment! Christmas trees are a religious symbol and any effort by the government to endorse them in anyway is an attack on our Constitution. How long before OTHER manufacturers and retailers of paraphernalia for other religions jump on demanding such support?
OBAMA MUST BE DEFEATED NEXT NOVEMBER! He is a total joke of a president and our country's future is bearing the brunt of that joke.
This reminds me of the movie "Dave" where there was a Federal program to make a consumer feel better about a recent domestic automobile purchase. "I don't want to tell some eight-year-old kid he's gotta sleep in the street because we want people to feel better about their *car*. Do *you* want to tell them that?"
The only image regarding Christmas Trees that requires improving is the image in the mind of Obummer and his underlings. Its beyond me why anyone who has be befitted so much from the graciousness of the United States of America would work so diligently to destroy the very ability of the Country to survive! Look at the Current situations in Europe and witness to what you are being driven. Yep, Change You Can Believe In!
Unbridled government. They will always find a way to spend your money. We need to eliminate the Agriculture Department. Less than 1% of Americans farm. If some farmer needs help, the states can handle.
How about the White House Christmas tree? That's got to be worth a couple bucks! Oh, wait I forgot, that one is donated.
I don't need a Christmas Tree anyways….
This is reason enough ( Right here ) to UN-elect this entire administration ! When I grew up as a kid, this is the kind of thing I heard about back in the USSR.
Does "improved image and marketing" result in being able to once again use the word "Christmas" in schools, on calendars and in the workplace? or will this tax money be used to rename them "Holiday Trees"
This must be part of his "We Can't Wait" campaign to restore our economy. No wonder this man's administration is a complete failure. I don't know about you but I can't wait to vote this mistake out of office.
I used to complain about the number of holidays federal workers get but no more. Every day they're off is one less day for them to figure out new ways to look out for us and reach deeper into our pockets.
People, calm down. This blogger contorts facts. The Ad Dept gave the Christmas tree industry PERMISSION to tax itself for the purposes for promoting live trees. This is very similar to what pork, corn and milk producers do. The Heritage blogger got his knickers in a bunch for very little. It is wholly inaccurate to say "President Obama’s Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees."
• The Ag Dept will NOT impose the tax.
• There is no FEDERAL program to improve the image of Christmas trees.
This is an initiative of all the **small businesses** that grow Christmas trees. After 3.5 years, Christmas tree **growers and importers**, not the federal govt, will vote on whether to continue the program. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-110…
The lesson here is to not automatically assume the worst of Obama and his administration. Do your own homework, be skeptical, and don't swallow everything that the echo chamber feeds you. Don't propagate half-truths, innuendos and assumptions. Be an informed citizen!
This is the silliest thing I have ever heard of…
Did any of the morons in the Agriculture Department bother to consider the bureaucratic nightmare they are creating for small and seasonal businesses? Who will administer this ridiculous tax and how much extra paper work will this create for people who don't have the time and probably not the resources to to handle it? This phony, arrogant, incompetent administration claims to be environmentally friendly, but make a rule like this that will kill a lot of trees for the unnecessary paper. My God are we screwed!
who cares? 15 cents per tree that goes right back to the industry..this is Fox news hyperbole and Matt Drudge looks like a joke to run this as a major story the day after the 2011 elections.
Undoubtedly, Obama's aim is NOT to PROMOTE the Christmas tree, rather a backdoor to gutting the Christmas holiday as well as creating more government bureaucrats.
Thank you for getting the facts out there. We need more people like you dispelling misinformation.
If you were trying to think up incredibly stupid examples of how the government wastes money setting up new bureaucracies to handle non-problems, you couldn't match this. Even the writers at The Onion couldn't out-stupid this one. Nobody in a sober state can possibly think like this. I'm sure Obama's Jobs Bill is full of all kinds of garbage like this.
Why are we all pretending that this is one of the president's solutions to the economic crisis? This is a minor minor minor thing that effects one group of people (christmas tree sellers) and is meant to help the business of one group of people (christmas tree sellers). It has no impact on the economy at large and is not designer to. The white house probably spent all of 2 minutes on this new tax, so they could focus on actual legislation that matters.
And if the agricultural department had come to Obama with this proposal and he said "no"… then by god, he's anti-christmas. Come on… is this really worth an editorial. I guarantee that this blog has spent more time on this inconsequential tax than the white house.
They will be no "christmas theme" ornaments on the official "holiday" tree, so does he get a pass on the cost of "his" tree because it is not technically "a christmas tree?"!!! C'mon man!!!!
WH made an announcement a couple of weeks ago of the above rules to be followed this year for artists that traditionally sent as gifts hand painted ornaments.
I think I may have an answer. Possibly anyway. Suppose we the people get with the tree growers who produce 500 or more trees for Christmas. Then, stand by them. Do not pay nor collect the tax. When the fed comes after them we the people show up at court in mass and tell them who is really in charge, as in, YOU ARE ALL FIRED!!! Remove yourselves from our offices immediately.
All you have to do is find someone selling holiday trees. No tax for those.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-110…
Here is the truth for those of you that want to read it. Obama didn't do it. The Christmas Tree Industry voted to tax themselves to raise money for a national ad campaign. Much like the milk industry did a few years ago. Remember "GOT MILK". They are doing this because real tree sales are in a decline.
This sounds like a joke. If it is not, then Obama is. If it is not, Obama must be removed from office at the earliest & best opportunity.
A Christmas tree tax to promote the marketing, now the government is in the ad agency business?
When will he add the nativity tax? I'm sure he has thought about it.
So wrong. How dare they increase the cost of christmas trees by a fraction of a percent! Trying to promote buying real christmas trees grown in the US by American farmers!!!!! Insanity. Lets all just buy Chinese Plastic trees…. wait we already have…. that's why the tree growers need help.
There are private marketing firms that do exactly that. The tree growers can take the money they will be sending to the government and get much better results by giving it to such firms. Turning to the government to micromanage every little problem is about as dumb as it gets, especially given the governments track record on solving problems.
I guess isolating the Jewish voters was not enough for this administration; now it is time to turn on the Christians too?
This is the Change America voted for – enjoy it!
At least they are admitting that they are Christmas trees -and NOt Holiday Trees..
Praise the Lord-We are Winning Go ahead and pay 15 cents per CHRIST-MAS TREE
After being transferred not less than four times… I spoke to Mike Jarvis at USDA about this and he informed me that in fact the Christmas tree industry trade group is responsible for this fee and asked to impose this on themselves with USDA being responsible solely for oversight, similar to their role overseeing marketing campaigns such as ‘Got Milk?’. When I asked Mr. Jarvis why the govt. was involved at all and that was my issue he said it was mandated by congress in 1966 and that the story was being misreported. I thanked him for his time and informed him I will be speaking to my congressman. Congress doesn't give a damn, clearly. I'll let you guys know how that goes later on today.
To show my support of the program, I am buying my first artificial tee this year. I recommend you all do the same!
It violates the First Amendment! Christmas trees are a religious symbol and any effort by the government to endorse them in anyway is an attack on our Constitution. How long before OTHER manufacturers and retailers of paraphernalia for other religions jump on demanding such support?
Why are we all pretending that this is one of the president's solutions to the economic crisis? This is a minor minor minor thing that effects one group of people (christmas tree sellers) and is meant to help the business of one group of people (christmas tree sellers). It has no impact on the economy at large and is not designer to. The white house probably spent all of 2 minutes on this new tax, so they could focus on actual legislation that matters.
A Christmas tree is a icon for the primary Christian holiday. I thought Liberals were all for the separation of church and state?
boycott live trees. use artificial this year and every year until this buffoon rescinds the tax.
The first $100,000 will be spent changing the Federal Register wording from 'Christmas Tree' to 'Holiday Tree'.
As a retailer, I have spoken to many Christmas tree growers during the past 3 or 4 months. Many are going
broke and are planning on getting out of the tree business after this year. All they need is another government fee, which I am confident won't help to keep any of them in business. A grower that sells 10,000 trees (and that is not considered a large grower), will have to write a check to go into a governmental 'black hole' for $1500. Thank you, Big Brother.. Just one more regulation for a small business.. 361 days to go!!
He just can't help himself, can he? Merry Christmas to you too, Mr. One Term President
I think he's really losing it. Well, we aren't paying his stupid tax…we will continue to use our artificial tree!!! I thought this was a joke when I first read it, but I should have known better!!! Idiot!!!
How the hell can someone be given the power of "discretionary taxation" when the person wielding that power has no discretion himself?
Why aren't the liberals all over this? Separation of church and state! Oh, I forgot, it's OK when it involves stealing more money from Christians.
:15 your complaing about 15 cents. Maybe if you people would stop buying artificial this would have to happen. 85 % were made in China last year.
"Nobody is saying President Obama doesn’t have authority to impose his new Christmas Tree Tax…"
No? Well they should!
"…his Administration cites the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996."
Then someone should challenge the constitutionality of the "CPRIA 1996" and each and every other example of one Congress illegally ceding power it has no authority to cede to the Executive branch.
Jeezus, people… think about the logic of accepting the proposition that Congress can delegate actual TAXING AUTHORITY to the Executive branch. Why, they might as well just pass a law the first day of a new Congress' term stating that they're "deputizing" the president… giving him "hyper-power of attorney" so to speak to govern on their behalf while they retire to the French Riviera until the next opening day of the next Congress' term!
This is ludicrous!
I've seen messages posted on some sites claiming that it was Republicans who sponsored this bill. Just who did actually sponsor it? What is their name(s) and party affiliation?
Dear Mr. Obama, I've been working to 'improve the image' of the Christmas tree for 18 years. Gee, I thought I'd succeeded. Now I see my work has been in vain. My son sent me this story and said I should apply for a government subsidy. Mr. Obama, please visit my Christmas tree website at ChristmasTreePins.com
If the Agriculture Department can pay people to think of ways to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees, then it is fairly obvious they have more money and more staff than is necessary. This is not unusual. It is the norm. This is in fact a reflection of just how bloated and wasteful every department of the Federal Government has become.
But hey, the Government has no money, so let us raise taxes so we can keep flushinig our money away on things like tree marketing concepts.
If this is true, it could be the straw that broke the camel's back, the final straw. This is the type of article that can fan the flames of true patriotism which proclaim "Taxation without representation" shall not prevail. The Christmas Tree rebellion of 2011 is being birthed.
Huh? Did I mess something here? A federal Christmas Tree Program? Oh Geeesh!
There is no way that this is not culture warfare.
When something so crazy happens, it is either incompetence or evil. Which one do you think this is?
The tax is too nominal to be effective for ANYTHING that the bureaucracy can handle.
Therefore- the sole purpose of this tax can only be to anger Christians and appease Anti's.
There must be a strong, LEGAL and dignified response to this blatant offense.
one of his buddies must need a job so he's developing a committee. Does this mean we get to call them Christmas trees? well, Hallelujah! I was worried that the government involvement would make them have to be called holiday trees or all occasion trees, or decorative seasonal trees. and 14 out of 15 cents to go to administration costs? If we didn't have the administration we wouldn't need the tax.
I assume that Menorah candles and Hijabs will be taxed next… Happy Festivus!
Are you kidding me? I am blown away at the idiocy of this tax. Give me a break, I am sick and tired of this BS. What's next a "Walking Tax"? For every step you take you pay one cent to the Government so they can create a board to help the Shoe Industry. Oh and after that it will be the "Clip your fingernails tax" they can create a board to help the manicure industry. Way to go Obama–another great way at creating needless jobs.
Another industry to be effected by another "tax". Now the sales of cut trees will go down because fewer people will buy them. Nice, really nice…
Why is business at a standstill? One of hundreds of new hidden fees and taxes that Congress cannot stop: to feed the current big, onerous growing monolithic Federal Govt. that is poking its nose into every business. This is why business is sitting on the sidelines – new fees, regulations (EPA is the worst offender), and taxes. If you aren't getting hired, this is one reason. Unemployment will stay high until this stuff stops.
Totally asinine!
Please note: This is a USDA Marketing Order that has been requested by and for the Christmas Tree industry — it has nothing to do with Obama or the administration.
This program was requested by the industry in 2009 and has gone through two industry-wide comment periods during which 565 comments were submitted from interested parties. More than 70% of the growers posting comments, and nearly 90% of the state and multi-state associations that posted comments indicated that they were in favor of the program. A group of Christmas Tree farmers and retailers spent nearly three years studying the potential positives and negatives of a checkoff promotion and research program, including looking at other commodities that have similar programs.
The program is designed to benefit the industry and will be funded by the growers at a rate of 15 cents per tree sold. Consumers SHOULD NOT expect to see higher prices as a result — in fact, a majority of growers had already been paying into similar voluntary marketing programs.
There are at least 18 other similar programs already in effect for various commodities. If you've ever seen "Beef, It's What's for Dinner" or "Got Milk" then you're already familiar with what a checkoff program is.
I wish I was reading this on The Onion…
Anyone know the number to the Fraud, Waste and Abuse hot line?
I can think of the two biggest benefactors of this tax. Vermont and California who just happen to be the biggest in Christmas tree markets and liberal bastions of the country
There are no Christmas Trees, all signs should promote "Holiday Trees" or "Winter Festival Trees" and cite the law's wording…"Christmas Tree"
$0.23 cents of the $0.15 fee will go to pay for the new program.
Shut up America.! "Central Planning" knows what's best for us! I'm thinking the "Easter Egg" tax can't be far behind. "Carved Pumpkin" tax? (why not?) , Valentine's Day "Fresh Flower" tax (sweet!) I'm sure this is something proposed by those racist "Tea Party" types!
Okay, so everybody sells fresh, Holiday CelebrationTrees this year.
This is so stupid. I understand that tree farmers want to sell more trees, so they pushed for this. I get it. But that doesn't mean the government should consent and impose a tax for advertisement. If you put food on the table as a tree farmer and you are upset about the amount of fake trees being sold, then maybe you should start selling fake trees! Meet the demand of as many of your consumers as possible and you will do well in business. Complaining about the fact that some people want fake trees is not going to fix your problem, nor is a new tax on your product.
This is nothing new. Other industries to this all the time! " Akin to similar programs that promote milk, beef and cotton, the Christmas tree program will impose on U.S. domestic producers and importers an initial fee of 15 cents per tree.
A 12-member board will direct the money to generic ads and other promotions, as well as research. The promotions, according to the USDA, will present "a favorable image of Christmas trees to the general public," with the intent of improving the public "perception" of Christmas trees and, hence, their sales."
Get the facts right! http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-110…
Boise State Sucks! Just because everyone else is doing does not make it right to tax the American citizen so frivilously. This is Robin Hood in reverse.
As a Christmas Tree Grower, I just want everyone to know that we already have an organization that does this for us that we support. It's called the National Christmas Tree Growers Association. We support them, they support us. Our industry doesn't need or want the Federal Government's help. This is overkill and not necessary.
Oh they're just getting started. They were too late to found The Great Pumpkin Promotion Adminstration, but can you say "Valentines Card Tax"? Easter Bunny Tax? So many to fleece – er promote, so little time til 2012.
Regardless of who instigated the tax it is the government who allows it. Private business can't collect a tax without government approval and reporting receipts to the government. So those of you who claim it is the Christmas Tree growers who want this tax may be right, however the outcome is going to be a TAX collected and remitted to the government ! The tax will be passed on to all of us. The government needs to get out of the business of "supporting" private enterprise and private enterprise needs to quit whining for $$$ to the government. A pox on both of them!
So, let's see who gets appointed to the "Christmas Tree Board". At that point we will know who was reallhy behind this joke. Follow the money…always follow the money. Oh, and eliminate the Dept of Ag.
Gosh. I didn't know Christmas trees had an image problem. Surely these downtroden trees need our help and assistance in regaining a good image and acceptance. With this tax no longer will Christmas trees be thrown outcast by society.
This is nothing compared to what a tree czar will cost. I think that the free market should decide and keep the goverment out of it.
Greg Osborn,
Lima, Ohio
I think we all should approve a "Tree Czar" so long as whom ever that is and the bad bit actor playing president are required to stick it where the syn does not shine and keep it there. Being run out of town on a Christmas tree, what a concept!!!
You're a mean one, Obamagrinch. I wouldn't touch you with a 27 and half foot poll!
Perhaps we should have an American Image tax.
Critical thinking 101:
1. This "tax" was sponsored by the tree growers themselves to fight increasing lost sales to plastic trees;
2. The growers want the advertising campaign, not the government;
3. The growers would rather not pay for the advertising campaign, so they are passing the cost on to consumers by lobbying to make this a mandatory tax
4. The growers can vote to eliminate the tax in three years if they don't like it
Obama is the conduit for which progressive ideas are imposed upon citizens. Read “Liberal Fascism” by Jonah Goldberg, he exposes how the Big Steel with the help of government squashed small steel businesses, they are doing the same type of thing with the Big Tobacco today the Big Tobacco companies not only had their lawsuits settled by settling with the government, but now they have bought government approval for the new illegal cartel. They raised their prices with the blessing of government and made a nice profit for themselves. When smaller companies did not agree to the settlement, they are still forced to make contributions to a huge escrow account, when the smaller companies started to thrive, cutting into the market share, state governments jumped in and ordered them to make even larger payments, small business are crushed in order to ensure large profits for the state and federal governments, this is why, common sense grassroots parties are vilified and must be crushed under the progressive boots, and yes, having a progressive president aids in their cause.
And the consumers get to vote with their spending dollars if they don't like it.
Point is, another ridiculous over-reach by the federal government, but especially to come through the way it did- it is time for a major talk about "Roles, Goals, and Responsibilities" of government branches.
Does anyone really think that Obama himself came up with this? It was probably some knucklehead that has been working in the Agriculture department for decades.
The naivety of some people to think that our President makes EVERY single decision that occurs in EVERY department in the US Government makes me laugh, and also scares me tremendously at the intelligence of this country.
Isn't this a violation of seperation of church and state because Christmas is involved? :)
The Grinch who stole Christmas…
Glad we don't worry about decorating too much. I'm over the over commercialization of holidays, especially Christmas. The true meaning usually gets so lost and it sickens me seeing so many people being generous only one day of the year.
If we all just simply did what we could to help our fellow man, neighbors and communities the spirit of Christmas could be EVERYDAY and there is no tax on that! Love your neighbor as yourself…I'd rather honor my Lord and Savior everyday than just one day a year.
Wait, it's not April 1 yet is it? Will this guy never stop? How much money is enough Mr. President? Shall we simply give you our paycheck and have you decide how much to give me back? Oh, wait, I lost my paycheck and I'm still trying to find a job.
I have always bought a very large fresh tree. I will NOT buy one this year. And unfortunately the one who will be hurt is our local merchant ! He will loose this $150 sale. 15cents is not a lot but I will express my dissatisfaction with this imposed tax and the funding of this ridiculous Federal Program by refusing to participate. I will still have a tree, it will be fake, I will just dust off the one I have. Yes Mr Obama, you have indeed succeeded in bringing attention to the marketing of the Christmas tree….Is this the result you intended? Come on America can we PLEASSSSEEEE not put another "Community Organizer" (I think that is what he called himself) in office again? There are just not words……..
King Obama just get rid of the present Department of Agriculture. It needs to be reconstructed and not with your help. I know what happens. You have a researcher out there doing his job from D.C. My brother-in-law farmer had to have his crop checked out by a researcher. But because of the cost of the researcher, they had nothing left for the farmer.
If you want to have something done efficiently have a farmer do it. A farmer is one who is forced to live on little or nothing but he does it to feed the world. And then you have people who see what equipment the farmer has thinking he is rich. Neither you nor the public see the paper work and IOU's. These people have pride in doing their job. but you people who sit behind your desks will never know.
As far as a 15 cent tax on a tree, gimme a break it will go to another fund that you and the other politicians will pocket it. Aren't you and your people robbing us enough that you need even the little penny that we may have left.
Classic…. a department devoted to the promotion of Christmas trees. This is simply unbelievable.
Furthermore, I'm disappointed that there isn't a department to promoting the Star of David.
Hey forget his pre-election promises…of which he's broken almost everyone…just thank God he didn't tax christmas tree ornaments at 15 cents each…to promote ornament well being…oh shoot did I just give him an idea…
Anyone who believes this crap needs to have their heads examined. I poked around and found this: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/11/08/129687/chri…
and this: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/11/08/103386/chri…
So, it's really just a tax to help the Christmas tree industry sell more trees since there has been a steady decline in sales as opposed to the fake tree business growing. Very much like the "Got Milk?" ads. So they're trying to boost sales with this program. This program was pushed by Republican legislator Patrick McHenry and supported by the California Christmas Tree Association. The government merely "approved" a request from the tree growers association to tax themselves to fund advertising. It's because it's a regulated industry that they apparently need goverment approval to do such things. Normally, business associations just do this themselves whenever they want. And they do it all the time. It's basic industry marketing and is nothing new and nothing Obama created. See here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/02/22/109219/deba…
So, the truth is Obama is doing what a Republican wants. Just another example of Faux News not giving the entire story.
Personally, I'm against it. We should be making more fake trees in the US and create jobs that way.
You probably won't get any replies for this comment because it is far too educated for this forum… Only "Obama is stupid" posts get jeers here! (banging head on table)
As a Christmas tree grower you are abosulutely correct. Fake trees from China now represent 30% of Christmas tree sales. The American tree farmer has run into a situation where supply out paces demand by a factor of about 2:1. About 26 million real trees were sold in the USA last year whereas 40million new seedlings were planted.
As an industry, we tree farmers need to recognize the reality of supply and demand. The idea of an advertising fund tax has been tossed around for years. Tree farmers wanted to be able to focus campaigns on specific areas but could not come to an agreement how to do it. Now with the USDA involved each state will have to share the pool of money evenly and to create a national campaign.
Despite popular belief, the majority of Christmas trees come from tree farms where as soon as they are cut new seedlings are planted. It is a very sustainable crop. The downside is that it takes about a year per foot to grow . . . most farmers would like to think the future will be brighter than the present so they plant more trees. The rest is history.
i liked your ending… thought it was on time and very constructive. So if what you are saying is true, we should start seeing lots of commercials to buy real trees very soon now right?
It does not matter who wanted it- Obama did it. HE chose to do this nonsense, not the Republican, not Congress, not the industry.
Point is, there were a ton of reasons NOT to do it, the foremost being authority and responsibility, which the Commander in Chief has none in this setting. Talk about micro-managing!
Replying to keep this one at the top of Latest Activity. Thumbs up here people and more replies.
Whenever you attempt to alter what a consumer prefers to buy (in this case fake trees), you will end up failing. Consumers drive demand…period. When it works, you get iphone profits. When it doesn't, you get failed companies. Call it mean, unfair, whatever…it is a fact. You buy what you want.
Sucks for tree farmers. Just like it did for tobacco farmers. I would look into creating better fake US trees than China at a comparable price and push the green angle. Follow the consumer is the only way to win.
Obama deserves more than a lump of coal in his Christmas stocking!! Take a wild guess!!
What's the problem here? If you can afford to put groceries on your table and feed your family, then it's obvious that you're not paying enough in tax!
Obama's newest jab to Christians.. an additional .15 cents tax for your Cristmas tree. Will the Menorah be next? BUT wait he is appointing a committee to oversee this program to promote buying your tree. Obama CAN'T BE THIS stupid, can he??
And there goes the Christmas Tree Industry! Once the Feds get involved you can bet it won't be long until Christmas trees are too expensive for anyone but the wealthiest!
When did the Executive branch gain the power "to lay and collect taxes?"
The US Constitution…an annoying obstacle to liberal power grabs.
Why do we always have to have a Federal Program for everything? Mr. President, your lack of respect only amplifies your lack of gravitas.
As if I needed another reason to detest this guy.
Hey – come on folks, don't be bad-mouthing this good-intentioned assistance to the tree industry. These growers can't possibly come up with a winning advertising program so they must have help from the "experts" in Washington. Let's see, the grower pays .15 each then the retailer pays .15 each. That's but a drop in the bucket and who knows, it may lead to a few more jobs in Washington. Anyone seeking a job in advertising may apply. I'll bet the tree lobbyists have really worked hard on this.
And then next year 30 cents, and then the next year…
No hope, but a little "change" each year.
Merry Christmas! & Happy New Year!
This new tax focuses on a symbol used by one religious group.
We need a new Goverment program to improve the image of Cristmas trees? I dont think so! More Goverment tax and spend while expanding Goverment.
Never seen so much stupid in one place. Hate to rain on folks anti-Obama parades (oh wait, no i don't) but this fee was in the works as far back as 2008, before Obama was elected. And it was generated by the growers association. The purpose of the Board is to run a “program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Christmas trees; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Christmas tree industry” (7 CFR 1214.46(n)). And the program of “information” is to include efforts to “enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States” (7 CFR 1214.10). yep, just another Obama tax.
Having been involved with industry associations, I know that the POTUS has NO BUSINESS WHATSOEVER getting involved in this.
There are about a dozen other legitimate channels that this board could and should go through to accomplish their goals.
Micro-manager in chief cannot seem to take a stance against Iran, but THIS he makes time for?
You could strengthen the Christmas Tree industry by simply stopping the idiotic attacks on the holiday we all know as "CHRISTMAS!"
just sell them as Ramadan trees and you'll have NO PROBLEM.
Just wait. Obummer will have Axelrod create the campaign and when he is done "promoting" Christmas trees anyone buying one will have SEIU thugs on their front lawns with pitch forks and burning torches exclaiming how Christians are depleting the Ozone by obstructing photosynthesis.
The Christmas tree industry (NCTA) invented and lobbied for this tax program to promote themselves.
Just like dairy ("Got Milk") and Beef ("It's what for dinner"), among others.
How exactly is that Obama's fault?
Obama did not have to go along with the NCTA; therefore it is his fault for being so stupid!
Because he's an idiot for even entertaining the request – When are you going to wake up!!!@!@!!!
What will HE Tax next The Easter Egg?
Well this smells, it’s not a matter of if the Unions are involved, but how they will be involved, and yes, the majority of our countrymen are this stupid, and speaking of the “brain dead” the president does not have the authority to levy taxes, that authority belongs to congress, it’s in the constitution if anyone cares.
Call me crazy, but could this be for funding a campaign that calls them "holiday trees" instead of Christmas trees to manipulate popular use of language?
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-11-08/html/2…
Summing up: The Christmas tree industry asked for govermnent assistance in promoting their industry, as several voluntarily-funded promotional programs – while temporarily effective – failed after people stopped contributing.
Wait a minute. He can't do that. The Christmas tree is a CHRISTIAN religious symbol, right? And the government cannot be seen as promoting anything that is associated with religion in any fashion, correct? Consequently, I postulate that imposing a 15 cent tax to promote Christmas tress is in a backhanded fashion a tax to promote Christianity.
I'm not one of these atheists that protests crosses and war memorials, but it would seem to me that someone a lot smarter than me could make that argument and block this tax. I mean, let's fight lawyers with lawyers, right?
Why do Christmas trees need money for improving their image and marketing, doesnt everyone already buy a Christmas tree? Well here in America they do mabye not where the President is from though!!!! There are familes losing their houses, chldren going hungry and cold, and he is going to take that 15 cent per tree to help market the christmas trees! Wow it really shows where his priorities are. But then again America you voted him in so mabye everyone that voted him in has learned their lesson!!!!!!
The administration is INSANE. They really believe that the American people are idiots and sheeple to be repeatedly sheared.
I guess money really does grow on trees.
wonder if there will be taxes on new prayer rugs or minoras or nativity sets, or Santa Clauses @ stores?
Taxed Enough Already people! Come On!
Levy a tax which is then used to get us to spend more money on the taxed items. Yup, that's our gov't.
R you kidding me?
This is an "Onion" spoof, right?
No! We want the Gov't to STOP helping small business! "I'm from the Gov't and I'm here to help" are the 9 most frightening words that can be spoken. RR
As a small businessman I know that the Gov't isn't better at what I do than I am – they are a bunch of pointy headed liberals who try to figure out how to take what I do and regulate it, tax it and then tax my profits. If the tree growers want the gov't involved with their tree business then I will find a tree myself – hey I know of one down at the city hall plaza that would fit quite nicely, crank up the chainsaw!
We have to protect the environment – think about all the tree's that this new tax will save. Otherwise they would have been cut down. Now they will be free to grow in the wild as they should be. I say thank god for Obama and his efforts to save the wild Christmas tree.
And Remember when Social Security was first going to be implemented, it would be voluntary, so…and the government only want’s what’s best for us right…I think I’ll just invest in a fake tree this year in honor of our fake government, and as an expression of my obstinate individuality.
How can we complain?
Is this really a function of the Federal government? For the brain dead out there who will say, "but it's only 15 cents", read carefully. A Christmas Tree Promotion Board is to be set up. This is made up of government workers who get paid. They will probably have a staff who will also get paid, and offices, and vehicles to check out the Christmas tree lots. As this board grows bigger and becomes more self-important as all government agencies and departments do, it will cost far more to maintain than the 15 cent tax will provide. This is government completely out of control with a little demi-god jerk at the helm. Personally I think the conservative States should seriously consider secession. There is a move right now in California to split it in two, one part conservative, the other liberal.
This is one of the Obama promises kept! We all voted for change right?
" I am from the Government and I am here to help." Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Must be really scapping the bottom of the barrel !
It's funny because Obama does nothing about illegal immigrants from Mexico, and then does this to "Christians" and I guess he forgot that about 90% of the people from south of the border are strict Catholics. He could be putting a large voting base at risk.
Merry Taxmass…
who really cares? it's 15 cents, if 15 cents is going to be the deiciding factor on buying a christmas tree you probably shouldnt buy one to begin with
364 days
well technically it is an excise tax and those are legal according to the constitution. that being said why don't they get rid of the unconstitutional tax or even take the .15 cents off of our illegal unconstitutional income tax.
Talking about nickel n diming us to death.The tree industry is doing fine all by itself,thank you
How can they do this without Congressional approval. My calling it a fee instead of a tax.
This is criminal.
Well we here in Canada pay 13% out of our pocket for everything we buy, it is called the good old HST.Harmonized sales tax.This is in the good old province of ONTARIO,CANADA.
So I am not quite sure how to react to 15 cents per Christmas tree, because if I bought one here which averages about about 8 to 10 dollars a foot. So when I buy my tree for 60.00 the tax will be $7.80 which goes straight to the government.
I do not live in the states so I cannot really comment, but I am going to do more research, Hello Artificial Trees!!!!! At least I will pay tax only once..but I must say I love the smell of a freshly cut tree!!!
There already is a trade organization promoting quite nicely these interests.
"The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) strives to be one voice representing Christmas Tree Professionals and promoting the use of Real Christmas Trees. More than 5,100 professionals support NCTA programs through membership; participation (through their state association) in the Tree Industry Partnership (TIP) program and/or individual investments in the Market Expansion Campaign. " (from the website)
So what do they need the Feds to do extra, at a cost of over $4 million a year? (Based on the 27 million trees sold in 2010.) Just another way to hire additional government good-for-nothings.
$3,500,000.00 to improve the image of the Christmas Tree. Well some would say it is a pagan symbol of candelmas………….winter solstice….now a national Christmas symbol. It is just a tax on the growers that can be put on the buyers. It is an easy and fast $3,500,000.00. But oh how to spend it…….taxed to improve the an image that didn't need fixing…..or are they trying to get me not to unpack my fake tree and buy a live tree? Hummm, what about the
makers of fake trespass?
You have got to be kidding me? Seriously the government getting involved in religious tradition? I think this a plan to Tax more people for next year and give all the people on welfare and government aid a Christmas tree bc everyone deserves one! Get a job and pay taxes stop using my hard earned money for ungrateful people who USE the system
People, this raises money to support s few more government jobs to be given to Obama cronies and other crony friends of politicians. Nothing more and nothing less. Understand it for what it is.
It's an industry-initiated tax on themselves for promotion… same as several other agricultural industries.
"Nationwide, there are about 12,000 commercial Christmas tree farms, with production particularly heavy in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Of the 565 comments submitted to the USDA, 398 supported the proposal, 147 were opposed, and the remainder fell into other categories.
Some sentiment broke along state lines. Grower organizations in North Carolina and 18 other states and regions supported the new industry program, while growers in Texas and Vermont opposed it."
-Chicago Tribune
After three years, growers and importers will vote on whether to continue the program ON THEMSELVES.
I thought they were Holiday trees???!!!
Is there anything this guy won't tax?
I can see the for sale signs now… "Formally known as Christmas Trees on Sale!"
OH "formally known as Christmas Tree!", OH "formally known as Christmas Tree!", Thy leaves are so un-taxing…
The federal govt. is paying to promote a private industry with a new tax. This is exactly the reason I will be purchasing an imitation tree that I can use for many years to come. Stupid thing for the federal govt. to do this especially at a time like this in our nation.
Tell Addington and others to stop referring to umemployment in the USA as 9.0% when it's actually over 20% by many calculations. 9.0% is wrong and we all know it
Individual groups have been wanting to replace the term "Christmas" tree with "Holiday"tree for several years now; After defeated attempts, is this how this adminstration is gonna accomplish that and cut GOD & Jesus Christ out of the public square yet maintian the secular holiday as a sales holiday? Why else does the gov. need to get involved? Christmas trees sell themselves, where does it need to improve? Are they to imply that the Gov. knows how to sell and market better than the farms and harvesters themselves that have been doing it for years, many tree farms are generational! They are grasping for any control & money they can take over…even smaller fringe markets like trees and the tanning industry.(which theve already done)
I can see this body's first order: "they will now be marketed as Holiday trees ,so every denomination can partake in our spending Holiday!
So while the president is taxing us to promote Christmas trees, his administration does everything else in its power to make sure there are no public displays of Christmas trees because they are offense to some people?!?! How about a commission to study and work on prompting the fact that there is no Right to Take Offense in the Constitution…in fact with Freedom's of Speech and Press, you actually DO have the right to Offend people!!!
Is there anything left that the federales don't tax???!! Is gasoline next??! Oh wait…. The next thing you know, you'll have to pay a death tax. Oh, again. Someone just told me there is one. Is there anything I can do that won't be taxed? Shhh, I'm not being taxed to write this, but they are probably reading it as I write.
Where's the separation of church & state on this one?
Christmas = Christians = Jesus = God
At least he's acknowledging Christ!!! :)
Democrats tax everything that moves and many things that don't move. It is necessary for their socialist vision to become a reality. But nobody ever considers the outcome of what happens when the mirage if found out to be a house of cards and other people's money runs out. Fifteen cents a tree seems like a harmless amount. But this is how creeping socialism works. Tax a little bit here . . . a little bit there and pretty soon people have no discretionary income of their own to buy what they want. The government controls it all.
This is why American is so messed up and will continue to destroy itself. GET A LIFE DUDE…..and stay out of ours.
Happy Holidays Everyone – Except Obama
Many self-proclaimed conservatives don't realize that they're something called "Neo-Conservatives." The difference between Neo-Conservatives and True Conservatives is that they support Big Federal Departments (Cabinets), Illegal Wars which reflect that of a Religious Crusade (The Middle East), and they support candidates that offer legislation to tax more (or offer federal income taxes at all). These very same things, contradict the Conservative Philosophy in American Politics entirely. This would technically make them Big Government Democrats, which is ironic; considering that they hate each other. They hate each other, but support much of the same things.
The current Government is using Religion as a tool to oppress you. Muslims extremists exist, yes, but many of you think that they're all like that. When this is an absolute fallacy, and they rely on your ignorance through the Christian Faith to destroy the Muslim Nation (due to your prejudice), and continue to steal from you in doing so.
This Christmas Tree Tax is a blatant attempt to redistribute wealth to the Federal Government, so they can maintain their Big Government and further Control You. Many Christians WILL buy a Christmas tree, and you will be indirectly supporting Obama and his Campaign by doing this. It will continue the wars which kill many innocent lives, and it will oppress other countries as well as ourselves.
If you're a real conservative, you'd understand to vote Ron Paul. Because the constitution originally forbids such actions, and he's the only one that actually talks and applies it to his politics.
We annually cut a tree on our own property. Will there be a line item on tax forms next year to capture the 15 cent tax? I am enthusiastic about complying and increasing awareness about Christmas Trees. This administration absolutely stays on top of the big issues
Interesting, since Obama refers to the White House Christmas tree as a "holiday" tree. Doesn't do much towards improving the image and marketing of Christmas tree's does it? Maybe when you buy one you should tell the tree seller you are purchasing a holiday tree and not a Christmas tree, might get them to waive the tax.
Really? Nobody needs a program to market Christmas Trees. If you celebrate Christmas you probably have a tree. If you don't want a real tree you get a fake one. If you get a fake one you are not going to listen to the Department of Agriculture about getting a real tree – you've already crossed the line into artificial trees.
Sounds like health care – just another mandate – this time it is to tree farmers. Maybe we should be more concerned with getting people jobs on tree farms.
This really is something straight outta the twilight zone. Alert The Onion.
Wow, I read this and thought .. am I awake? I must still be sleeping and having a weird dream. Then I thought, is it April 1st already? For now, I have to believe this information was twisted and misrepresented. Either that or the globalist box store retailers have hatched a plan to lobby the govt and make up for the recession by selling higher priced Christmas trees.
This just shows that this administration does not take economic recovery seriously.
Just when you think you've heard it all!
>wipes eyes< That was a good laugh, I needed that. Now the sadness is hitting with the realization that this is for real.
In that case, the AMERICAN Christmas tree farmers need to form their own organization to promote their industry just like the egg industry, milk industry and the Florida orange juice industry (just to name a few). Don't ask the government to do your marketing for you because they suck at it and its not their job! Stop expecting the government to solve your problems!
But every industry does this…why should these farmers lock themselves out?
Funny that you would include milk in your argument since a similar program for dairy farmers brought us the ever imitated "Got Milk?" campaign. You may also remember the "Beef, it's what 's for dinner!" campaign. That was funded by a $1.00/cow fee (tax if it makes it easier to sleep at night) under a program exactly like this Christmas tree program.
Since both of those programs were widely successful, you may also want to reconsider your "Don't ask the Government to do your marketing because they suck" position as well. Those are probably two of the most successful ad campaigns in my lifetime.
how can you say the government campaign of milk and beef was widely successful? people don't know these things to be good for the health of the body? what part of the body is a Christmas tree good for? Government doesn't have to take money from people to "advertise" or for ANYTHING people do and expected to do for themselves! Freedom! look it up! American Constitution! read it!
I believe the targeted advertising here was to stress the fact that real christmas trees are more environmentally friendly than fake trees. Some of the ads were slated to address the following:
Fake trees are petroleum based.
They are made in China.
They will take over 500 years to break down in a landfill.
They are in no way recyclable
While real trees:
Are responsible for over 100,000 US jobs
For every one cut, 3 more are planted.
While they are growing, they clean the air
Other agricultural products may be grown with them, avoiding monoculture and improving soil.
Most cities have a recycling program where they will pick them up from your curb, turn them into fabulous mulch, an bring them back.
So that's the kind of stuff I am sure most Americans were well aware of that was going to be addressed with this program.
Oh, plus, the growers came up with the idea and petitioned the USDA and Obama to do this for them, not the other way around. Here's a great link to the tree grower's website where they explain all that. http://www.realtreetalk.blogspot.com/
Thank you but, it doesn't constitute government involvement.
Forget the new Fed tax, and traditional Christmas tree. Take a look at this unique alternative: http://www.bloomsandbranches.com/holidaytree
NO FED TAX, use it again every year, and grows right here in the good ol' USA!
Obama kept his promise of "not one dime" of new taxes. This is one dime AND one nickel for most American families.
huge amounts of people celebrate christmas as non-christians. im one.
And just where in the Constitution does it say the Federal government can tax purchases? Oh, that's right – the Constitution is a "living" document!! Or, what's the Constitution? Or, (progressive communists would say) whatever means suits the end.
Why would you need to improve the image of the Christmas tree? and why on earth would they need to market it? I am pretty sure if you got one last year chances are pretty good that you will get one this year…
And people want to vote for this loser?
I didn't know the Christmas tree had a bad image
The Truth: President Zero wants to regulate the Christmas tree industry – too many rogue tree sellers operating at the fringes of the law, not paying their "fair share". This "Christmas Tree Promotion Board" is just the seed of a new regulatory commission.
And we need this, WHY?
There has to be a "Christmas Tree Growers Association." Why can't they up their dues by 15 cents per tree and do their own promotion. Sure bet the administrative costs would be less, and the government wouldn't get its nose under another tent.
So the Federal Government is going to promote Christmas?
President Obama must really love his vacation time. This new tax could help suport many more separate flights, one for him and another for Michelle, for the holidays yet to come. Furthermore, this can tax can help support his own vacations as well as those of future presidents.
Merry Christmas
i feel like I'm reading the Onion here. Seriously???
expect increased sales of artificial trees, and more dollars to China.
In 1955 in Brooklyn my wife and I bought a natural Christmas tree. When her brother, a New York City fireman, came to visit and saw it, he was very upset, pointing out that NYFD was called out many times to extinguish fires caused by the rosin from flaming live Christmas trees, which can cause immediate flashover and burn people to death and dwellings to ro ashes in moments. He begged us in the strongest terms to get rid of it and buy a fire-retardant tree. Since then, we always have had an imitation fireproof tree. And that tree has lasted for many years and always looks good when put up every year.
This is NO JOKE! He actually created JOBS! haw, haw, haw … H just CREATED A NEW DEPARTMENT … this department will REGULATE AND INVESTIGATE those Christmas tree taxes.
Do you need more to get rid of this INCOMPETENT PREZ?
Wait, did you just say "Nobody is saying President Obama doesn’t have authority to impose his new Christmas Tree Tax" with a straight face? The Art.I Sec 8 of the Constitution would beg to differ, unless my copy is missing an amendment…
I didnt know christmas trees had an image problem? Has this idiot of a President ever heard of separation of church and state? Christmas trees are primarily used for religious observances. What is next? A tax on minora's (sp?), or a tax on any and all muslim related religous assets? This is just another way for the gov't to gain more control over our lives —- now they will be telling us what to do with Christmas trees. This guy wants to do everything from telling us what light bulbs to buy to what cars we can purchase and which doctors we can see and get approval, from the gov't for any and all medical treatments ….This is a nightmare
If people refuse to buy Christmas trees because of the new tax, this will be another step in eradicating the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
"And, by the way, the American Christmas tree has a great image that doesn’t need any help from the government."
Well evidentially the National Christmas Tree Association would disagree with you Mr. Addington- as they were the ones who requested this.
Evidentially, they're a little concerned about fake trees (99% made in China) putting a ($400+ Million) American industry out of business.
How dare the federal government use the term "Christmas"? Here in the PC world we have "Holiday" trees, so I guess those won't get taxed? How about my Kwanzaa bush or Minora?
I think this new tax must be unconstitutional. The Christmas tree is a religious symbol (at least the ACLU has said so when it fights public displays). If the government is taxing people to promote a religious symbol then it is promoting a religion, making a "law to establish a religion." Some legal eagle needs to file suit on this one. Where are you ACLU?
Remember- those people on the "Board" have to be paid,,,. I'm sure they aren't doing it for free, so there's 14.5 cents a tree wasted.
Because as we all know, making something more expensive is the surest way to increase sales.
People, seriously, it was proposed by the industry itself.
Wow. What's next? A "sitting fee" when you take your kids to see Santa at the mall?
wait…is this real? the christmas tree industry believes it needs to market itself better? what??? it is a seasonal industry with a large repeat consumer base. are they concerned that some consumers are thinking green and rather than buy a cut tree, they are buying artificial trees? who cares! i can't even believe that with all of our problems, marketing christmas trees is somehow a priority for the white house. and here's the screwy logic…to fund marketing to get people to buy fresh christmas trees, you're going to charge a tax to people WHO ARE ALREADY BUYING CHRISTMAS TREES! i know, 15 cents is nothing for one person, but it's a lot to suppliers who provide thousands of trees to local sellers.
First of all how much did it and will it cost the tax payers to appoint a Christmas Tree promotion Board. That would be my first question, because as we all know that is going to be way more than 15 percent of every Christmas Tree sold so by the time we pay those weasels the taxes will probably jump to more like 50 percent, and second of all, do people really have that much time on their hands to actually sit on a board to determine how to "strenghthen the Christmas Tree industry's position in the marketplace"…are you kidding me. Can someone please tell me how a man who has no conscience what so ever sleeps at night. Next thing you know he will be putting a board together so he can Strenghten the Easter bunny industry's position in the marketplace..watch for it…its coming.
This is Socialism 101. Private citizens and companies cannot act without the federal government. There must be a cental plan in place to regulate ALL behavior. Another four years of Obama would yield thousands more of these "not a tax" taxes.
So what would happen if all the companies that make fake Christmas trees decided they needed a better image too? This whole thing sounds a little too stupid to be true.
I am amazed how stupid this current administration in DC is. And what amazes me is people will vote
for Obama again. LOL.
Eldumbo has come up with another brilliant idea, this time to help spoil Christmas !
While I haven't had a tree for years, the word should go out to the tree growers…..We ain't buyin' this year and it's all due to obummer. So don't go crazy cutting your live trees this year. Just give the tree farmers a CASH donation with no tree in return. Tell obummer to stuff his .15Cents.
This isn't a news story, this is a biased editorial.
If the author presented facts without his slant, it could be considered journalism.
And I might care if $.15 on a once a year purchase would break the bank on anyone who actually purchases a tree for the holidays…
This presidency is getting really old. We can't do anything as sole proprietors in the US anymore without a new tax being added each year.
Bah humbug! Is there anything he won't tax?
Well, I certainly hope the US voting public will extend an early Christmas present to our "illustrious leader" next November by kicking him out of office !!!
I am sorry to hear that the emerging christmas tree industry needs promotion. Wait what am I talking about, how can they improve and expand……with holiday trees for every occasion
I'm pretty sure this makes me want to pull out my (made in china) artificial tree… How is this logical?
Why is the tax against a christian holiday? Why not a muslim or jewish day?
Pure genius!! Brought to you by: The smartest people in the world.
socialism at it's finest.. but there's no "hope" in sight, all the candidates running turn my stomach.
This is an article already published by THE ONION, right? Please tell me so
Wow!! This almost reads like a parody from The Onion! Talk about misguided time and energy on something that is not needed. It's small,… but still the waist exists. How much will it cost to administer and collect the 15 cent "not a tax" tax? The image of the Christmas tree,… I thought it was supposed to be called a Holiday Tree nowadays?!
This really sucks to the max… 15 cents…You've got to be kidding…How much will is cost to administer this program and how much business will be lost to those selling Christmas trees whose customers go metal…This is totaling wrong and somehow I feel helpless, once again, from having federal agencies forcing more and more taxes upon all of us…Except those who don't celebrate Christmas..which are many I'm sure…How have we come to this in this nation? It has to stop.
Obama is a lump of coal in everyones stocking.
Clever way to deal with our Jobs situation.: risks putting a growers, truckers or sellers out of work, freeing them up for lucrative ACORN-funded street-theater slots in OWS protests or such. Dumber than a box of dull axes IMHO.
This a religious discrimination. This tax is not uniformly applied across the population.
The tea party blather-sphere is truly abuzz about this one. Get real folks and stop manufacturing the facts and then making ignorant comments about them. The industry initiated this, not the Obama administration. http://www.christmastree.org/11_PR7.pdf
Is this "Christmas Tree Promotion Board" government endorsement of a religion?
When did congress give the president the authority to impose taxes?
LOL Christmas trees huh? Im sure he will think of more things to tax before he leaves office. How about you looking in the mirror to brush your hair. We will call it a beauty tax. We will say that there is something harmful in the glass so you have to pay him now…lol.
Mr.Obama doesnt beleive in the meaning of the holidays,so it dint bother him one bit.
I'm fine with a tax as long as it went to forestation. I don't see why we need to pay a tax to help them promote themselves.
Sorry, Christmas Tree? I thought it was now a "Holiday" Tree.
You people are funny,,,,you voted for this government,,,,,,,except it,,,,thats what you wanted,,,change……
The last laugh is on you………Anyone with common sence knows that their all crooks………
I think Micky Mouse would had done a better job
and so said the Grinch:
" and Yes even you
little Cindy Lou
will have to pay tax
on your Christmas tree too"
and the Grinch laughed as his heart shrunk three sizes that day!
Just when a person thanks they have heard all the stupid things this out of control administration can do the present administration out does themselves.
I am surprised that Obama calls the trees Christmas trees instead of holiday trees though. After all he did say the USA is not a Christian nation didn't he?
…and he was right. We are not and never were a Christian nation.
I'm not going to pay the tax because I'm having a "Holiday Tree" this year.
Really????? We have had so much good news from OBAMMER that this is the icing on the cake….NO CHRISTMAS TREES this year…..you fixed that issue Thanks.
So who did they want to pay for promoting live trees? The growers weren't going to do it but they insisted on a promotion board. Just like Republicans to demand the services but not want to pay for them.
Targeting a religious group is a hate crime.
Why is it okay to tax something related to Christmas and not levy a tax on something related to Channukah, Kwanzaa, and Ramadan? This seems rather discriminatory.
Why do we need to fund marketing for any group ? The gov't does not fund grocery or fast food marketing.
What is even supposedly wrong with the Christmas Tree image and marketing that the government can improve? This is just another one of his unneeded and unwanted expansions of government…..on a day that he declares an executive order to cut government waste. What a hypocrite. I reject the idea that he tries to benefit America in any way.
"The Federal government mandates that the Christmas tree sellers pay the 15-cents per tree, whether they want to or not"………..What happens if they refuse to pay? Do they go to jail?
At least they still call it a Christmas tree not a holiday tree.
You know exactly where this is going. This white, wooly, little wolf will soon change it's color. The stated research and evaluation part will soon lead to the discovery that the cutting of, and later disposal of the used trees are having negative and dangerous effects on the environment! Hence, they will already have the authority to make the display of another symbol of Christmas a crime!!
Hey maybe the tress are coming from China and it is an import tax!!
THIS IS A JOKE, RIGHT?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? WE'VE GOTTEN SO DESPERATE WE'RE TAXING CHRISTMAS TREE'S?!!!!
American tree growers are suffering due to the amount of artificial trees that are being manufactured overseas and sold in the U.S. This is supposed to help with the promotion of live trees over the artificial alternative. If this is such a horrible thing, why are so many tree growers supporting the measure?
Life in the iron cage
Tea Party no longer. We're upgrading the name to "TREE Party" !!
Even if this is a joke, why would it be such a big deal for the average American? Are we such misers that we complain about a mere fifteen cents? Most people only get one Christmas tree and that is if they don't have an artificial one. The only people who might have a reason to complain would be the tree dealers. This is just one of many very small ventures that really won't effect spending at all. And to those who feel that Christians are being robbed, the whole tree thing was not Christian to begin with. It actually was part of nature worship preformed by ancient druids. Not to mention the fact that a large part of people who do buy and decorate Christmas trees are not Christian. If you are a Christian and are whining about this, you really need to examine why we celebrate Christmas to begin with. If you a not Christian, don't hate on everything Obama does. You don't have to vote for him, but you don't have to be a total troll either.
Call it what you will… any time the government takes your money it is a tax.
I thought the US Government's job was to DEFEND us against enemies outside our country that are trying to actually DESTROY us here in the United States of America. Maybe we should spend more time thinking about ways to DEFEND us from DESTRUCTION than thinking up ways to tax Christmas tree sales here in our nation. How have we gone so far off course. Pretty soon this 15 cent tax on trees will be even more stupid when our enemies hit us again somewhere and we've spent our time taxing the American people out of existence. May wiser men and women prevail and change the course of this country before it's too late.
Isn't this a tax on religion?
Next up, Easter Bunny egg fee's and that lucky rabbit's foot is going to cost you.
What a joke.
So what about taxing eggs at Easter or a Menorah tax or an extra tax on green beer on St. Patricks day. I mean the list is endless. This is just plain nuts!!!
As a Jewish American I am deeply offended and consider it an attack on my human rights, that the administration would go out of its way to promote other religions. I am contacting the ACLU to take up my case of discrimination and human rights violation. Let me also add, as a millionaire I am more then willing to pay my fair share and would be willing to pay $0.15 per box of Chanukah candles to help support the wonderful programs of the Federal government. ;-)
Always looking to spin it aren't you. This "tax" was actually supported by Christmas tree grower's associations across the country in order to raise money for advertising and promotion. Only growers in Texas and Vermont opposed it. It will expire in three years unless the growers associations vote to continue it…which, given the support, they probably will.
Your willingness to sneeringly spin any story to make our president look bad simply destroys your credibility in any place other than your own echo chamber.
Wasn't this first proposed by the Department of Agriculture in 2008? Before Obama was elected? The answer to this is yes, yes it was. So what happened next is that the DOA bullied this into being. So, blame the famers?
Really?
More wasteful spending. SURPRISE!
More like…just the latest in a LONGGG train of broken campaign promises. Not sure why anyone would continue supporting this clown.
Just when you think this President couldn't get any nuttier…..
I haven't bought a Christmas Tree for over a decade. I am an atheist and celebrate Christmas as just another day in the week. As a diabetic, I don't even eat all the so called Christmas goodies because I want to stay alive. Even from this perspective, I am against the tax.
The government should butt out of the economy and stick with the only thing it can possibly be good at: stopping crimes against persons and property. As it is, it is the primary perpetrator of such crimes. I can largely protect myself from thugs but I can't protect myself from government.
Wow…so frustrated, so angry. It's time for things to change….BACK!
Calm down folks. The practices of farm commodity or individual farmers to 'self impose' a tax on commodity sales whether it be corn, soybeans, peanuts, etc to fund marketing programs or research projects is nothing new. The 'taxes' generated are collected by the federal government and administered by the UDSA. Distribution of the monies is goverened by a panel elected by the growers that is overseen by USDA. It's possible that the monies raised from this self imposed tax may or may not be matched with additional funds from USDA. It just so happens that this particular program is being implemented under the Obama administration at a time when federal tax policies are a hot item.
Some have posted here that tree growers have unionized and designed this scheme to pay for a national add campaign using the force of Govt. to tax the consumer to pay for the advertising of their private business's. What these union thugs do not understand is that American consumers prefer to choose the winners and losers through their own purchase power and not through the mandate of government. Based on the response by the majority of posters it would appear that Americans have decided that they are Taxed Enough Already. There are ways to around this tax until the law that allows the govt. to tax consumers to benefit private business's can be abolished. Option one would be to straw purchase Christmas trees in lots of less then 500 hundred. Another option would be to cut your own. In some states this requires a permit to cut a tree on public land that costs no more then an average Christmas tree. Yet another option would be to buy a pine tree for planting "meaning potted" and plant it in your yard after Christmas. Still another option would be to boycott the unionized Christmas tree growers and use a fake tree until the hand of govt. is no longer able to impose taxes to benefit a select group of private business's at the expense of the consumer. I for one will not be buying a farm grown Christmas tree this year or until such time as the matter is resolved. I think its time to make a stand with the power of our purses not just our votes. This is a classic example of one of the many ways unions attempt to force consumers to pay higher prices for a given product by diminishing if not eliminating consumer choice of like products at a more affordable price. If anyone would like to compile a list of Christmas tree farmers that backed this taxing scheme that would be quite helpful in exerting pressure upon this socialist business practice.
To promote the image? Yup… By re-naming the trees to "Winter Holiday Trees", "Winter Solstice Tree" (who the heck celebrates Winter Solstice?), perhaps "Winter Vacation Trees", or some other generic non-secular title.
We need to make this news go viral by Black Friday…
Oh, and Merry Christmas, everyone!
(That's right, I saId it)
Big Mack
I keep checking the date. My calendar must be wrong – surely this is an April Fools joke. :(
Where's the ACLU and their mantra about the separation of church and state? Clearly promoting Christmas trees violates that tenet of Marxism.
Now is the time for action. If you buy a Christmas Tree this year, refuse to pay the 15 Cents. If they will not take it off, don't buy the tree. See how that promotes the Christmas Tree industry………….
You can bet the #1 priority of this new group will be to ensure that all retailers call it a "HOLIDAY TREE", rather than CHRISTmas tree…Love the post about 14 cents going to admin costs…how true.
Soon to be renamed the "Holiday Tree Promotion Board."
Separation of Church and State, dontch'a know.
Hey! What about the Manora? I heard it is depressed over this. Manora's have an image too you know.
It's way past time for another "Boston Tea Party" incident.
just 1 in 1,000 reasons NOT to vote for this guy.
So glad THIS is what he chose to focus on!
Cant wait for Jan 20th, 2013!!!!
i bet this new TAX will pay for his shinny NEW christmas tree that he just got from northern CA
I thought the Constitution gave the authority to tax to Congress, not the president. Is there nothing this man will not do?
Always looking to spin it aren't you. This "tax" was actually supported by Christmas tree grower's associations across the country in order to raise money for advertising and promotion. Only growers in Texas and Vermont opposed it. It will expire in three years unless the growers associations vote to continue it…which, given the support, they probably will.
Isn't congress the body of power that can levy taxes?
The Christmas tree growers asked for this you reactionary idiots.
And who will be hired to collect and dispense this tax? What will their salaries be? Are they going to receive pensions for life, healthcare, vacation & personal days off? This helps to cut down the unemployment figure doesn't it?
Typical conservative misinformation . . . and all you commenters are like sheep following along. The tree growers associations have been lobbying for this fee for years, and imposed it upon themselves. Yeah, read that again: Business asked the Agriculture Dept. to help them administer a program to promote their industry.
But, hey, don't let the facts get in the way of your blind, irrational Obama hatred.
The result of this will be that fewer companies will sell more than 500 trees… And it won't be just the 15 cents passed along, it will be all of the compliance costs because now Christmas tree sellers will have to file all kinds of new paperwork with the government… And I say the executive does not have the power to tax Christmas trees. Just because the fraudulent Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 exists does not make it legitimate with respect to the Constitution.
To promote the image of the Christmas tree??? What a thief!!! What a thief!! Why not a .15 cent tax on pork to promote the image of a pig?? What a thief!!! Nov 2012, Judgment Day.
This is exactly what we don't NEED another waste of money and more government workers for something nobody wants…and from a government that wants us to go GREEN
Mr. Addington, Please write about the whole truth, not just the part that makes you feel good. This is poor reporting.
Welcome to the world of stealth taxation.
It is for the children
I hate this article. My dad owns one of the largest Christmas tree companies in the US and the entire tree lobby has been lobbying for a tax like this so that they can promote fresh christmas trees over artificial ones. My Dad has never voted for a Democrat that I know of. Please do research before you make stupid comments.
The proposal to create an assessment on tree growers to fund a research and promotion program through the USDA was begun by the industry during the Bush administration.
In February 2008, faced with declining sales, members of the National Christmas Tree Association created a task force to consider the merits of a checkoff program, which would allow the USDA to collect a fee from growers in order to fund research into marketing Christmas trees.
Examples of other agricultural commodity Checkoffs include the egg, beef, pork, mushroom, milk, and honey, etc. industries. We're all familiar with the Dairy industry's ad campaigns; "Milk Does a Body Good" and "Got Milk." "Pork: the Other White Meat," "Beef: It's What's for Dinner" and "The Incredible Edible Egg" are recognizable slogans developed and funded by Checkoff programs. These four 'big guns' collect between $45 and $91.2 million in assessments annually.
Is there no end to the ridiculousness of this administration!
Considering we canot display Christmas trees in many government venues because of "separation of church and state" issues, this is doubly deplorable.
Liked the one that was said, whats next Easter eggs!!!! extra tax….
. . . and no carbon credit to allow him to burn it!
I am so frustrated with not only the current administration but most politicians in general. This is just another idiotic thing that our leaders have imposed upon us. Government as it is is ineffective and inefficient. People who think that Obama (or most other politicians for that matter) cares about us and that imposing more taxes for all these programs is the way to go should retake a basic economics course.
Why not a cleanliness user tax on all public toilet facilities and create a new government agency of Waste Management. (Or is there already one?)
I agree this (article by Addington) is ridiculous: surely you have something of more substance to write about than a 15 CENT fee to cover a program that is intended to HELP the forestry industry. Now maybe Addington is an expert on forestry and the Christmas tree industry, and knows why this program is not needed. But no evidence of that is provided here. This article appears to be just another example of a commentator saying "Oh look at this program I don't understand, or that doesn't benefit me directly. It must be stupidly wasteful."
It seems to me all the supposed benefits of promoting said trees are responsibility of said industry, right? What's next, a tax on pumpkins to improve the jack o lantern image? Bah humbug to you too, buddy.
I am a Christmas tree grower and our company produces over 500,000 farm grown real Christmas trees a year. This issue was proposed by Christmas tree growers to generate funding to promote real Christmas trees as opposed to artificial Christmas trees which are predominately produced in China and have been eroding our market share for over 20 years. This is a self-imposed assessment fee (not a tax)supported by most growers, just like the Beef commodity board which self imposes a fee on each beef sold to promote beef products. Remember the "Got Beef" promotion. That is what this commodity commission is trying to raise funds to do, just like a lot of other agricultural commodity commissions.
" the Secretary of Agriculture will appoint a Christmas Tree Promotion Board." Really? A board? The Chairman of the CTPB will probably make $500,000 a year. Way to cap governement spending. Our tax dollars being put to good use. Tax and spend! Tax and spend!
There is more to this. I'm utterly confused…
This is a "checkoff " program requested by growers to promote their product. It is done this way so the industry can pay for commodity marketing. It is not a tax on Christmas and these initiatives usually get support for lawmakers who have large agricultural interests in their districts. Among farmers they are controversial. Some like checkoffs for promoting a generic commodity, while others think they pay for wasteful or ineffective commodity marketing board.
The way this is presented in this posting is quite disingenuous. There are checkoffs for many commodities: corn, soy, milk (mustache campaign), beef (it's what’s for dinner), etc. This blog posting does not really educate on the subject matter it only seeks to inflame resentment towards the administration.
What’s more scandalous than a fake $0.15 “tax” per tree is that the USDA (with by bipartisan support from both government hating and socialist farm state lawmakers) will often match check off funds, USDA Market Access Program (MAP), for international marketing. This allows marketing board members and connected farmers to travel around the world at tax payer expense on “fact finding missions.” The American Soybean Association, the US Grains Council, and the U.S. Meat Export Federation are all recipient of these funds. 197 million is budgeted for the current fiscal year (http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/factsheets/MAP.asp). Scroll down the page, it is interesting what gets funded.
Dang, you people are stupid. We already pay lots of taxes/fees to agriculture interests to promote their products. 15 cents ain't gonna kill anyone. Christmas tree farms are a big business here in NC. I think 15 cents is a small price to pay to promote an AMERICAN product.
Maybe we should throw all the Christmas trees into the Boston Harbor . . . for another Boston Tree Party.
Anytime the government wants more than price of an item, IT"S A TAX!!!!!!!!
Get the facts before you go off half-cocked. The board, proposed earlier this year, is actually the culmination of a years-long effort by the fresh Christmas tree industry to promote itself, according to the background provided in the Federal Register. The fresh Christmas tree industry wanted a Federal board to promote their trees so the administration is making them pay for it themselves. If they pass on the cost to the consumer, the INDUSTRY are the idiots to blame, not the incumbent administration.
Like they said; ”The economy is barely growing and nine percent of the American people have no jobs. Is a new tax on Christmas trees the best President Obama can do?”
Revolt…nobody buy Christmas trees this year.
Are they going to tax artifical trees? No just the ones made in the good ole USA. Are the retailers going to have to pay the tax? No the farmers, who will not be able to re coup from the Large chains, like Home Depot, Lowes and Walmart. Despicable. Impeach him.
"Shut up and pay your taxes. The Great Leader knows what is best, even for your holiday decorating"
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-110…
This is illegal….
Think you would've thought it was illegal if Bush had done it? And exactly what law does it break?
Sure, like christmas needs more promotion. It's just another government money grabbing exercise. Nobody is being fooled.
First of all, we can't say Christmas trees any more so why is it OK to tax Christmas trees? Will Easter eggs be next?
This new tax is not only absurd, but it is politically stupid beyond belief. Now, Obama's opponent in the 2012 election can add the Christmas Tree Tax to the long list of stupid and offensive things this president is responsible for. I cannot wait until next November!
Okay, yes, this is stupid. But Grinch and Take the money? It's 15 cents a tree. Seriously. What I think it stupid is that it's just to fund another position. Is this a way to create jobs? I want a job promoting Christmas tress. I have a lot of great things to say about Christmas trees. Lots. I would even dress up as one.
The National Christmas Tree Association (christmastree.org) states that about 30 milion trees are sold each year. That translates to $4.5 million max. Can't do much advertising for that kind of money, especially after administration costs. Farmers of many comodities pay a little for promotional purposes (dairy, wheat, etc.) although I do not believe any af these checkoffs are run by the government. Try getting rid of another burocrat:-(
Meanwhile, the White House Christmas tree, chosen in California, is making it's way east on a fossil fuel guzzling, exhaust belching diesel truck. Couldn't they find one a little closer? Hypocrites!
if you want less of something tax it
Bah humbug…i will not buy a fresh tree this year.
Wow. 15 cents. I was gonna spend $45 tree for Christmas. But I think I'll go treeless this year. $45.15 isn't necessarily gonna put me on the streets. But it might. What a Grinch. Madness.
I didn't know we such a committe was needed. I didn't even know the Christmas tree industry needed to improve their standing. This is dumb.
This has to be an internet hoax. Not even the Obama administration could do something so stupid as to involve the Federal government in Christmas Tree taxation to promote the Christmas tree industry. Why wouldn't the industry just do it themselves? It just can't be true, can't be, can't be, can't be…..
Sellers should only sell 499 trees thus no tax will be imposed. Get a friend to sell 499 more. Share the lot. We could just NOT BUY CHRISTMAS TREES!!! Or, we could go out to the forest and decorate a tree with something birds and other wildlife can eat thus bypassing the 15 cent fee. All people on this board can now be FIRED. Mr. president, we don't need this!!!!!!!!!!
"Christmas growers back the fee, saying it will promote their industry." -CNN
"As demographics and buying habits have changed, we have watched the market for real trees shrink drastically, requiring us to spend much more time and money on promotion," said Don Cameron, past president of the California Christmas Tree Association, reports UPI.
I've seen some posts saying this has been in the works for a long time. If what they say is true, then we don't need yet another industry to subsidize.
If the Christmas tree industry can't do this on their own without Government intervention and taxes, then they don't deserve to be in business. This is what Capitalism is all about.
This HAS TO BE a joke……..this cannot be taken seriously. This is insanity.
…this is "your tax dollars at work"
And who will be the Christmas Tree Czar, Santa Claus?
"Christmas growers back the fee, saying it will promote their industry." -CNN
"As demographics and buying habits have changed, we have watched the market for real trees shrink drastically, requiring us to spend much more time and money on promotion," said Don Cameron, past president of the California Christmas Tree Association, reports UPI.
The attack on Christmas shows "who" is in power and they love lording this paper tiger power over the rest of us.
"Mommy why don't we have a Christmas tree like everyone else? Mommy why doesn't Santa visit our house?
Mommy why don't we have any fun holidays?"
Come over to the fun side kid! We even have bacon! Yummy.
By this logic, they shoould impose an Obama tax to improve the image and marketing of Obama.
Like 100% of all other check off programs, this will degenerate into something which creates more problems than they're worth. I can't wait for the radio ads–"how dare you buy an artificial tree–FROM CHINA!!!!, support generic U.S. Christmas tree growers selling living trees, dead trees, Norway pines, Swedish pines, Douglas firs, Frederick firs, Colorado blue spruce, Nebraska red spruce. Visit you r favorite local lots and ask for A REAL, DEAD TREE."
What irony. If they want people to buy fresh trees, shouldn't they tax artificial trees instead of fresh ones? Better yet, why not just amend Obamacare and require everyone to buy a fresh Christmas tree?
The next step is occupy Christmas. This is so not right and I did not for this!
How many paid federal employees are going to be required to administer this program? Will it be a year round program or just have year round public union employees? Will every citizen be required to purchase a Christmas tree next year – like health insurance? I thought that the federal lexicon had been revised to substitute the word "holiday" for "Christmas" — but like the retail industry, I gues it's OK to use the word "Christmas" when an "after-Christmas" sale is advertised and money is involved.
I can't believe that the voters of this formerly great United States of America voted the way they did in 2008. Our children and grand-children will be the ones who suffer even more if he is reelected in 2012. I pray that it does not happen.
This DEFINITELY needs to be a priority and I am THRILLED that this is FINALLY being addressed!!!
Congress, charged with the responsibility of levying taxes, stands by like a lifeless turnip.
Well, at least this may show he believes in Christmas…….so, so sad……next fee??? watch out folks more are coming
He couldn't wait until AFTER Thanksgiving? Yet another jump on the Christmas holiday.
I had no idea Christmas trees had a bad image!
you all realize that this is a tax proposed, supported and to be paid by the christmas tree farmers on their own business as a means to support their business?
This cannot be real. It's a joke, right?
Isn't taxing a product in order to raise money to better market it kind of self defeating?
"Let's get a real tree this year dear. I hear they're more expensive, but that ad was so compelling."
I'm trying to find the place in the Constitution where this power to interfere in the market place exists.Agriculture obviously has too many people with no enough to do. It appears to be a ripe opportunity to cut some bureaucrats off the tax teat.
Sounds like union dues to me! If you want to grow Christmas trees you have to be a member of the union and pay the union fee of $0.15. No way to opt out of this one. The "union" in this case will do what all unions do and promote the union.
This is thanks to the forestry lobby and corporate personhood. Not directly Obama.
The tax will only apply to those with incomes over$250,000. Right?
I keep looking for an April 1 date on this issue. Clearly Obama has become the meaning of April 1.
What's next? A TURKEY TAX?
Many commodities have taxes imposed at the wholesale level (as this appears to be) used to promote the industry. Frequently the industry asks that they be taxed to raise funds for promotion. Happens here in Oregon with the wine industry. Get over it.
Christmas tree tax–I never thought we would be able to top the incompetency of Jimmy Carter –but we made it– congratulations USA
It just keep getting better! I want th president to come live with me for a week. let him see how his crazy ways have effected the real people in the USA
Somehow this does not suprise me!
No, this is not the Onion..this is a real new tax…on live Christmas trees.
For those of you that do more research would learn that this "tax" is at the request of Christmas Tree Farmers. You see Americans are content with sending their money to China to buy fake Christmas trees. This 15 cent fee goes into a fund that will then be turned back over to Christmas Tree Farmers to help them grow their business. It is 15 cents up front that will help in the long run.
Seriously??? What happens after Christmas?
Why is it always the president that dunnit! Every time something goes on its touted as coming from the white house! Hello …government policies come from policy makers sitting in big fat chairs who do not necessarily have to inform Mr president … get real! the economic problems we are facing were caused by a 3 trillion dollar war, recklessness of the banks and an ailing balance of trade!
Whoever is in the white house, you still cannot manufacture 5 trillion dollars over night and even if you were to print the money, you would merely create inflation and more poverty!.
America and Americans need to create wealth as they have done in the past not keep bemoaning their fate! afterall nobody asked if it was okay to go wipe saddam hussein's ass or what the effects would be!
We all had a choice… there were no WMD's and the bushman still squandered the countrys wealth just as he had always done with his dads wealth brrrhh …
shouldnt it be the "Holiday Tree Tax"?
At last…someone is coming to the rescue. Does this mean that it will be mandatory that each household purchase a tree? How 'bout the homeless? I understand that when the Tree Police come checking to see if your tree is a REAL tree, they will be replacing any Fakes and charging a disposal and replacement fee of $300. Any decorations that are on the Fake tree will be taken with the tree. The Tree Police will supply new (from China) decorations for a nominal fee. If , by chance, you are not normally displaying a tree…real or fake…because …(you have your reasons), then you must pay only the $100 "excuse me" fee. Thank you Mr. President! We need this new tax!
Far from a tax initiated by the Obama administration, the proposal to create an assessment on tree growers to fund a research and promotion program through the USDA was begun by the industry during the Bush administration.
Thanks for the heads up, Sarah. Just one more reason why we say that the government is way too freaking big, and Bush was not the "ultra-conservative" that the media and dems paint him as.
There are far too many cowbell manufacturers not getting taxed. The Cowbell is the official southwest U.S. "holiday" instrument established by a nationally recognized bovine movement. Bovine-Americans traditionally celebrate the feast of turkey that relieves fears of cattle consumption during December. As such, Cowbell producers represent the top 25% of all manufacturers thus paying only 86% of all taxes. Tax the cowbells! More Cowbell!
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The best way to promote any product, including trees, is to keep taxes out of the cost and let businesses market the product to true demand potential. If the Ag Department had marketers capable of doing this, then they would be in the private sector. How can a government simultaneously promote 'green' initiatives like those weird light bulbs and a tree initiative that promotes cutting trees for no net 'green' gain. Does anybody besides me see how we boiled the frog in the US tax system?.
I'm actually surprised he hasn't imposed a Halloween mask tax, plus a $10 fee to hand out candy, a Thanksgiving turkey stuffing tax plus a Game-day television broadcast tax, A New-Years Eve Count-down Tax, an Easter Egg dye kit tax plus a license to particpate in an easter-egg hunt, A veterans day Parade tax, a Memorial flag tax….
Right.
This reminds me of the movie "Dave," where Kevin Kline asks the Secretary of Commerce why the government was spending money on an advertising campaign to make people feel better about US cars they already purchased. The text of the exchange can be found here: http://uscommonsense.net/2011/11/09/a-christmas-t…
Yet again, one more way for this president and his vile administration to tax the American way of life, and more importantly, attack our history, traditions, and faith/values.
There is massive evil at work in this nation, and it is rooted at the top. Watch a tax—-I mean, a "fee", come out before the end of the month on wrapping paper.
I have a picture in my mind of Washington and his troops freezing at Valley Forge and some one walks up and says, "One day in the future all your suffering, all your sacrifices will manifest themselves in a President who has never had a real job, who called himself a "community organizer", who bows before other world leaders and who's administration will approve a tax (self imposed or not, it doesn't matter) on Christmas trees while overseeing and contributing to thw worst economy the country has seen in three quarters of a century. Enjoy the snow boys."
Just what we need, a new government program, more government employees, more pensions and .15 is only the beginning. I wonder what that cost per employee might be?
Right wing myth. The Obama administration didn't come up with a Christmas Tree tax. President Obama's conservative critics call it a "Christmas tree tax" — administration officials say it is a fee that Christmas tree growers are imposing on themselves to help promote an industry that is hurting along with the rest of the economy. This was proposed since 2008, prior to President Obama even being elected. It's the industry adding the fee, not the President nor his administration. For ONCE, I'd love to see the right speak truthfully about something.
I know I should be surprised but…….
I don't even buy fresh Christmas trees and I think it's dumb. All these so called Agriculture Department "taxes" should be stopped.
Why do we need to be supporting the Administration's (and others) so called interest groups? The private industries need to be paying the fees themselves for their own good well.
Let me guess, this is the Obama administrations attempt to remove Christ from Christmas somehow…Democrats are beautiful!
Wow, 15 cents. Big whoop. How about a 15 cent tax on morons who write columns about insignfica?
It's 15c this year – give the bureaucrats a while and it'll be a couple of bucks, then a few bucks.
Then they'll add a "Holiday Decoration" tax on your lights, a permit requirement "to mitigate the energy use"
Then they'll insist that every light on the tree be replaced by one of those CFL bulbs.
Then the Ag Dept will want to regulate the "Reindeer food" that kids throw on the ground in Christmas eve. They'll add an environmental cleanup fee to that too.
"Bah Humbug!" will also be taxed…
Well, as long as the left-wing media keeps pounding the false Herman Cain harassment story, everything will be OK. Divert attention away from key issues and focus on fake sensationalism, is a great tactic to get the worst president in history reelected.
Please, please shoot me I voted for this IDOIT!
Can the president impose a Tax of any kind? I thought that Congress had to impose Taxing the American People. I guess this s just another example of Taxation without representation.
This is possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard! Not that it surprises me.
I thought the boy wonder (Obama) said after he got elected, sworn in, that he wasn't going to "raise taxes". I guess he's raising revenue enhancements on the American people. What about raising tax on the cresent and minorah, the Yule log and Santa clause?
This is the thin edge of the wedge, those other symbols will be next…
taxing christmas trees,what next,air……!!!
Why should we cut down fresh Christmas Trees anyways, trees take more then a year to grow.
This is probably a good thing. The "Got Milk?" ad campaign was funded through a similar arrangement and helped to drive additional dairy sales. A huge benefit to the dairy industry.
There is approximately 112,000,000 house holds in the US which only less than 1/2 will use a real tree. The socialist administration will collect approximatley 16.8 million to promote fresh cut trees. I am 33 years old I have never seen a Christmas tree commerical from the Government. A perfect example of this admin trying to control where we spend our money.
Absolutely unbelievable! All I want for Christmas is a fiscally responsible federal government that fulfills its constitutional responsibilities through the departments of Defense, Justice, State and Treasury while minimizing everything else that can’t be ceded back to the States.
Why would anyone be surprised with this government in power?
The top 1% should pay 25 cents, they can afford it.
It's a ploy to get people not to buy or cut down fresh trees but instead buy fake trees made in China- therefore supporting the EPA/tree higgers- read between the lines- money for better image of Christmas with this administration-YGBSM ( you got to be S–ting Me)
This is something the National Christmas Tree Association has been pushing for since 2009. From what I read, their motivation is to benefit from campaigns similar to the "Got milk?" that helped the dairy industry. I wrote them a letter basically stating that they made a wrong turn trying to do that through governmental channels. Most of that 15 cents will be eaten up by another useless government office that pushes papers. They'd have faired better if they had created their own grassroots promotional program, funded by donations and such. I'll bet we never see a shred of benefit to the average tree farmer.
What do they mean the President has the authority to impose a tax. Where does the Constitution give him that authority? It says that Congress can lay and collect taxes. I still say that about 95% of everything the gov't does is unconstitutional but we the people can't stop them. How sad.
Remember the last big Christmas present we all got? Yup bogus Healthcare reform and now this…The libs have to be blind to continue to support this guy…
Let me get thus right, the new TAX is to enhance the image of Christmas trees in the marketplace? I wasn't aware the Christmas tree had competition, maybe he is afraid people will start lighting Menorahs.
The Christmas tree tax will go right into the Obama campaign fund.
"It's ONLY 15 CENTS! What's wrong with you people? Uh, er, wait a minute Mr. President, I only have 10 cents left… Will that be enough?"
It's never enough with these people. Politician = thief! They have destroyed the most powerful, the most free, the most envied nation the world has ever seen. Not only should they be ashamed, they should be thrown in jail and the keys thrown away! Revolution! The tree of liberty requires the blood of patriots to flourish!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, now the grinch wants to steal christmas! What next, a tax on raindeer food?
I wonder what the tree-huggers have to say about this. Remember this the next time O bashes Republicans on the envrionment…. headline should read "OBAMA NEW FEDRAL PROGRAM TO PROMOTE KILLING TREES".
If you read the article and others like it , the tax was proposed by the dept of Agriculture, to help advertise that the trees that are being cut down are being replaced with new trees and are not contributing to deforestation blah blah because people have been buying fewer real trees in an effort to "be green." This image has been hurting the X-mas tree industry which actually plants more trees than it harvests, and contributes greatly to the holiday economy. The President did NOT propose this tax. This particular author is referring to it as "Obama's Dept of Agriculture." The last time I looked, it belonged to the American people and not any particular President. We need to read the articles and not just the headlines, and be able to spot a reporter with an agenda. Merry Christmas, everyone.
Hmmm. Isn't this an establishment of religion? Where is the ACLU when you need them? (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
The government knows nothing about marketing….and we are paying these clowns how much per year on average to come up with this crap ? What a bunch of idiots….they couldn't last 10 minutes in the private sector.
Haha, yesss!
"Well, little Timmy, unlike the mighty oak tree that loses its leaves every fall, the evergreen keeps its green all year. It's a simbol of the eternal life provided by Jesus' sacrifice. That's why, every year, many American families go out and kill one and put it in their living room."
Can you imagine the reaction when Obama hears about this?
Stand by for cartoons with Obama in a Grinch costume.
I guess Christmas trees have a bad image, and not many people have heard about them.
There already attempting to tax us based on how many miles we commute, whats next? A requirement to install a meter on our toilets to count flushes? it's no wonder people , by and large, are disgusted by big government. Governments sole purpose it seems is to invent new schemes daily to relieve us of our money.
If you read the article and others like it , the tax was proposed by the head of the Dept of Agriculture, to help advertise that the trees that are being cut down, are being replaced and do not contribute to deforestation. Sales of X-mas trees have dropped over the last few years as people have been buying fewer real trees in an effort to "be green." The truth is that the X-mas tree industry plants more trees than it harvests, and is a major part of the holiday economy. The President did NOT propose this tax. This particular author is referring to it as "Obama's Dept of Agriculture." The last time I looked, it belonged to the American people and not any particular President. We need to read the articles and not just the headlines. and be able to recognize a reporter with a personal agenda. Merry Christmas, Everyone.
REALLY? REALLY! REALLY??? SO, WHAT'S NEXT??
I thought the feds weren't supposed to use the term "Christmas" since it might offend someone? I also thought all taxes were supposed to be approved by Congress?? Oh, that's right, this is just a "fee" and not acutally a "tax". Whose bright idea was it that Christmas trees needed to have a special marketing effort?? I will bet that the President receives a healthy campaign donation as soon as this "fee" is implemented. Is it any wonder why so many Americans are beginning to realize that our federal government is a bloated monster that needs to dramatically reduced in size.
This is so normal for the president. What's next for Christians?? Merry Taxmas to you.
Just when I thought he might make a good choice about something …………………….
Really???? Who approves this activity? Who approves using tax dollars to support a market activity such as selling Christmas trees? Why do we have to market Christmas trees?
Irresponsible, not grounded in reality, waste, joke, unbelievable.
Isn't there just something wrong with the Federal government promoting an industry based on Christian beliefs? In every other aspect of our lives, the government is trying to drive out the practice of our faith in any public sector, but … now they want to tax it to promote it? Unreal. This said by a practicing Catholic.
"Christmas Tree Tax—TO SUPPORT A NEW FEDERAL PROGRAM to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees."
Private businesses create jobs to produce or sell more products in order to increase profits. Government creates jobs in order to provide an income to a worker whether that worker is needed or not. This is a primary reason a socialist government eventually collapses the country into bankruptcy.
A tax that targets one religion….how can this be?
Ridiculous!!! Guess I'll keep using mysilver artificial tree. It's just as beautiful. and as many pine or cedar trees around, a couple of needle branches will bring in that familiar, lovable odor!!! SO THERE, OBAMA!!!
I am the 30 year owner of a Choose and Cut Christmas Tree farm with sales under 500 trees/year. (FYI, the large growers finished cutting 2011 trees several weeks ago for shipment across the U.S.) These trees, in the hands of the home owner are very dead on arrival (DOA) after Thanksgiving when we start our tree sales. DOA trees contribute to the poor image of pre-cut trees and the after cutting handling. I told NCTA by phone during its fund solicitations I would not support their efforts to lower prices below my costs via big box sales of poor quality trees that push more people to artificial trees and decorations. Their answer, a per tree assessment to support advertising for remote site , large production tree farms.
And this is why the Fed Govt keeps on growing with stupid programs like this. Take money from working stiffs and give it to a government board for something that does not even need doing. I wonder which donnor/donnors got this big favor.
I won't complain about a .15 cent tax on a Christmas tree in order to provide a program to improve the Christmas tree industry right here in America. Lots of Christmas tree farmers could benefit from research and marketing strategies provided by a program like that and I'm all for self-supported research programs that will benefit American farmers, and for the record, Obama doesn't own the United States Department of Agriculture. It's a vital government agency that does important work with or without Obama. The fact that this blogger had to twist this issue, over a little .15 cent 'tax' on a flippin' Christmas tree says it all…
I can't believe that you think it is OK for the Feds to be involved in any industry at all. I suppose it will be OK next year when they pay tree farmers not to plant trees. These things always get out of control and consume more and more tax dollars.
I was unaware that Christmas trees had an image problem. I have always had a fresh tree….Will there be a tax for the Obama Administration to improve their image. . . it will cost more that 15cents . . .
Promoting the live Christmas tree industry keeps jobs in this country, as opposed to China, or wherever else the synthetic counterpart is produced. And it's only 15 cents, people, get over it!
That tax, er, "fee" will increase over time. Just like all government taxes, er, "fees," do. Just watch.
Well, thanks God that I have an artificial tree!
Whew! I got out of that tax!
Honestly I am so fed up with this administration….they are the worst of the worst in the categories entitled
"snakes and sneaks". They are intolerable! No one needs any education on the meaning of Christmas or its trees.
Can't right wingnuts read? This is a fee imposed on the industry at their request to pay for promotion. Happens in many industries and you won't see it at the retail level. Not anti-Christmas at all, it promotes Christmas trees!!!
Think "Got Milk?" or "Where's the Beef". Leave it to Heritage to make something out of absolutely nothing.
I think I'm gonna chop down my lemon tree this year and shin a green light on it.
Merry xmas OB.
Everybody is so quick to judge. What's the last time any of you guys had the responsibility of running a nation. ? Q
It must be very dark where he puts his head and a bit smelly, this guy is unreal. That lump of coal is to good for this jerk!
What happened to separation of church and state? Where is the ACLU on this one?
So what would happen if no one bought a live tree this year?
As someone who actually works in the nursery seed industry and who sells seed to Christmas tree growers, let me be the first to say that you are totally full of sap on this issue. This was an idea that the industry wanted implemented as a way to fund the promotion of our own industry. It is no different from the Chamber of Commerce promoting a lodging tax to raise money to promote regional tourism. But, you already know that and this was a cheap propaganda shot. But, the fact of the matter is that Obama had nothing whatsoever to do with this and the only connection with Obama is that he happens to be sitting president. You claim to represent the interests of the "job creators," but you really don't seem to have much of a grasp of who we are or what we want.
And guess what folks, those needles that have the nerve to fall off the tree have to vacuumed up by coal-fired electricity!! Christmas trees cause pollution from fossil-fuel generated electricity!! Plus all those needles are clogging up the landfills!
15 cents/tree and all of these people are whining like babies.
This certainly is wrong-headed. Somebody somewhere wants a nice fat contract for this promotion. Since when do Christmas trees need an image enhancement? Shame, shame, shame on you Mr. Obama.
GOOD NEWS! It's been 'DELAYED" lol what a joke. I don't care how long they delay it, no one's going for this crap.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/11/obam…
Before you all continue with your misguided, poorly informed comments, you should read this: "The live tree industry is advocating for this fee so that they can compete against imported cheap artificial trees, “Keeping the Real Tree industry viable in the face of imported fake trees is the challenge. A National marketing program with increased funding available for industry research is promising. If not through a Checkoff Program, then how?”
The industry is starting their own fund for research and marketing. The only role the government has is one of oversight. The fifteen cent fee goes to the private sector, not the government. Uncle Sam doesn’t see a dime. By smearing this fee, the right is attacking one of the traditional symbols of the holiday that they claim the left is out to destroy. Right wing media is willing to hurt one of their beloved private sector (holiday) job creators in order to attack Obama.
The right is apparently opposed to a private sector industry being allowed to set their own fees and prices so that they may compete with foreign imports. What is most interesting about this is that discussions about the Christmas tree checkoff program began in February 2008 during the presidency of George W. Bush.
In summary, Obama’s Christmas tree tax is not really a tax at all. The government doesn’t get any revenue from it. It is a private sector program like the “Got Milk?” campaign, which has its roots in the time period when Republican George W. Bush was president." http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-christmas-tr…
Perhaps, the government ought to stay out of the free market, if the growers want to charge extra, then the consumer will decide if they want a "live" tree, or not…. OH wait they still will, and more and more people will purchase "fake" trees.
Furthermore, they're actually quoting from the November 8 2010 Federal Register, not 2011 – so they're a year behind in even reporting the sotry. Here's the link to the Register: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-28038…
Thank you for your well written comments. Nice to see some people are informed here and are willing to look a little deeper into these storeis.
Actually, Mr. Addington, that would be a blatant bald-faced lie.
Much like the pork checkoff (Remember the "America's Other White Meat" ads), the milk checkoff ("Got Milk?") and the beef checkoff (Beef: It's What's For Dinner), this is a fee imposed on the Christmas tree industry by the Christmas tree industry itself to p. Growers have been working on ramping this up for three years … in other words, when George W. Bush was still president.
And it's not 15 cents per tree added on. It's 15 cents per tree taken off the top of the growers' gross revenues. The consumer's price doesn't change. The growers have come a long way — when they first discussed this back in the 1980s, there were death threats involved.
A quick check with Rick Dungey of the National Christmas Tree Association could have cleared up your confusion. Or you could have popped over to their website and read this document: http://www.christmastree.org//checkoff.pdf
It's called "research," sir. Next time, do some.
Actually, Mr. Addington, that would be a blatant bald-faced lie.
Much like the pork checkoff (Remember the "America's Other White Meat" ads), the milk checkoff ("Got Milk?") and the beef checkoff (Beef: It's What's For Dinner), this is a fee imposed on the Christmas tree industry by the Christmas tree industry itself to p. Growers have been working on ramping this up for three years … in other words, when George W. Bush was still president.
And it's not 15 cents per tree added on. It's 15 cents per tree taken off the top of the growers' gross revenues. The consumer's price doesn't change. The growers have come a long way — when they first discussed this back in the 1980s, there were death threats involved.
A quick check with Rick Dungey of the National Christmas Tree Association could have cleared up your confusion. Or you could have popped over to their website and read this document: http://www.christmastree.org//checkoff.pdf
It's called "research," sir. Next time, do some.
IF all 35,000,000 natural trees harvested each year are taxed successfully (and all are actually sold), there wouold be an intake of only ~ $5,250,000. With this you'll set up a mechanism (well staffed) to collect this tax, administer the tax, figure out what to do with the tax, and DO something? Riiiiight. Gimme a break! They will accomplish nothing (which, of course, is what needs to be accomplished), but NEXT year they will raise the tax so they can actually do something… like create an enforcement agency to make sure all the tax is collected…
Why is Obama promoting global warming by wanting more trees destroyed? I thought we were trying to save the trees.
This was a plan voted on and approved by the Christmas Tree growers, their own industry is self-regulating in hopes of growing it. Guess what? They get to change their minds if they don't like.
….going back a few years where Taxation without representation could get one in a real pickle…there was once upon a time when a tea tax was imposed…tea went into the harbor and we know where that story led; Goodbye British hello America. Maybe this is the tree Party as to was their tea party!
The "tax" has been delayed.
There are already several similar tax-based programs in place for various agricultural commodities– “Got Milk?” and “Beef, It’s what’s for dinner.” All these programs are wasteful but they have very powerful supporters in Washington. Just like the beef association and others, the National Christmas Tree Association (claiming 5,000 members) requested the tax becuase they could not get thier members to pay for it.
After he sinks Obama, I can not wait to see David go after the uber-powerful Cattlemen's Beef Board and National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
Yeah, wow 15 cents is going to make all you loser broke.
Tanning booths and Christmas Trees. And how many of you have a bad image of a Christmas Tree? Because of this 15 cents I for one won't be purchasing a Christmas tree, which if everyone does, unfortunately will put more people out of work. For a lousy 15 cents. Why not have all federal workers taxed 15 cents so we will have a better image of them??
How about TAX FREE Christmas Trees – that would promote them!!
What r u people crying about? He's gotta pay for George's bushs' manhunts and mess ups somehow? No more Husseins, Bin Ladens, Gaddaffis. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Shut up and pay the bill.
How pathetic… This is what our government has become! How can we create happy lobbyist, and suck more money from the people!
I somehow don't think this is gonna help with the federal deficit, which is EXACTLY what our federal government ought to be dealing with.
Mr. President (and congress), stop with the BS, and get our country out of this financial mess,
After reading this article and then googling to get the facts, I now understand why conservatives are such ill-informed knee-jerk reactionaries.
Um… and 15 cents extra on your Christmas tree is really going to kill you. Come on people, be outraged about something worth being outraged about…
How are Americans struggling with whether unemployment benefits will be extended, lack of access to healthcare, looming cuts to food stamps, and all of the other "help" that Republicans are threatening going to come up with this extra fifteen cents to cover the cost of a live Christmas tree if these fees are in fact passed on?
I mean, wow. The Republican Party managed to pay for two simultaneous wars by cutting taxes to the tune of $2 trillion. Democrats get in power, and they can't even promote Christmas trees without finding some way to pay for it. Incredible.
Since justice has gone missing along with the Constitution, guess it will now be Christmas going away.
My question is was this tax made law after the tree was cut for W.H.? Because that was one HUGE tree and I think the tax should be 30% for cutting it down.
Who needs Christmas anyway? The kids. The kids who will have to pay off all of this out of control govt debt so they better get used to it now.
Do some research. A check-off program is a self-inposed surcharge that the growers impose on the themselves for marketing and research. The USDA gets involved to help administrer the program – it's done for a variety of commodities. Think, "Beef, it's what's for dinner". It's nice that many people here think Christmas trees don't need any help, but growers feel they are losing the battle to imported fake trees from China – that's why THEY decided they needed the needed a check – off. OK – enough facts getting in the way. Back your ranting….
This is awesome. An industry decides that it wants to change itself by adding a self-imposed fee, and y'all go bonkers. Hello? Free markets anyone? If an industry decides it wants to fund a partnership with government by taxing itself, that's perfectly legitimate. To suggest otherwise is to suggest that free markets can only do the things you and your friends like. Which, you know, is precisely the opposite of what the word "free" actually means!
Here's how the Association described the program:
“This program was requested by the industry in 2009 and has gone through two industrywide comment periods during which 565 comments were submitted from interested parties…The program is designed to benefit the industry and will be funded by the growers at a rate of 15 cents per tree sold…The program is not expected to have any impact on the final price consumers pay for their Christmas tree.”
Oh Please. Is this the best Heritage can do? Just more "slam the prez" propaganda. Must be getting really desparate.
If this is all the President has to do…tax Christmas trees…I know a smart nine-year old child who could do a better job than Obama. Mr. Obama, you're not getting my vote!!
ALL WE wanted was a "Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing which tells time", MR PRESIDENT!!!!
Oh well! I thought the Democrats were sincere in THEIR Separation of Church and State. When taxes and whatever your medium of exchange might be, forget the separation.
This is right up there with the money-changers in the Temple. You who do not believe have no part in this celebration we call Christmas. So when did Congress meet and vote on this tax? I didn't see the vote on the open government activity on CSPAN as we were promised. It must be another unconstitutional Executive Order.
If it seems so crazy it can't be true, maybe it's because it's not true. Turns out it's the industry itself that wants to do this as a response to artificial trees: http://checkoffstudy.blogspot.com/2008/03/industr…
This is the kind of thing my older relatives send me chain emails about. Thanks for adding fuel to that particular fire.
My goodness I thought the Grinch That Stole Christmas was just a children's story . Oh well welcome to storyland USA Obama style text right here!
good idea, how about a new tax tax, the tax money collected from the tax on all taxes can go toward a new program aimed at improving the image of taxes.
It's Not A Tax, It's Another Irritant, Let Warren Buffet Pay Mine For Me. Cheers Semper Fi
Thank God , it isn't $15.00!!
Not yet!
If, and I mean if, the industry started this, do they really think an additional tax is going to cause people to flock to real tree operations?? Sounds like even more business to the artificial tree suppliers. If this came from obama, it is laughable since he and his comrades have been trying to destroy Christmas for years.
My god what an ignorant article. 15 pennies per tree to fund a self-promotion board. The tree industry asked for this to help their industry. This is not the President's initiative. To try to paint the picture this article so poorly attempts the pinnacle of desperation! Give us a break and maybe talk about real issues. What a monumental waste of time!
Will all due respect to opinion, I have to say something on this subject. But first let me say that the idea of this tax does at first seem ridiculous. I mean, a tax on a Christmas tree?? But consider this.
The tax is $.15 and its a Christmas tree. Christmas is once a year. Thats $.15 cents a year. Most folks probably loose 5 times that much money in their couch every year. I dont know any American, regardless of income, who cant afford that. If you can afford a Christmas tree you can afford this tax. Thats logical right? Now lets consider the positive side for a second.
This campaign is designed to boost the Christmas tree industry in the US. And its only on large sellers (500+ trees per season) so the smaller Christmas tree farmers are exempt from this tax. Ultimately, it could reduce sales of more crappy, artificial tree manufacturers from China, as reportedly 85 percent of artificial trees are imported from China. Thats less money we send to them the more money we invest in the US. If you consider the estimates that 100,00 Americans are employed by the Christmas tree industry in the US thats a significant amount of jobs that could also grow as the tree industry grows.
The environmental impact is debated, but I've always liked a real tree best myself. The real trees absorb CO2, produce oxygen, decompose naturally and they dont take any petroleum based plastics or release any noxious gases when they're made. God makes them the good old fashioned way. Plus they are not imported from thousands of miles away. And they smell nice too. Who doesn't like them really? Besides you are still free to cut your own, and not pay the $.15 or buy a fake one. Its still your choice. This article sheds some light on the pros and cons of "real" trees and the Christmas tree industry.
http://earth911.com/news/2010/11/29/real-vs-artif…
OK I just got it. This is to evaluate the NEED for Christmas trees so next year the committee will say,
There will no marketing for the trees since they destroy trees that we need for the environment, there will be no need for the trees since they fill up the landfills too much, — and more reasons?? Then the next year there won't be any fake ones either because of some environmental reason they won't be on the market. Maybe they'll give us rattlesnakes to decorate with instead!
PLEASE GOD HELP US!!!!
Fee levels are established by industry — not government — and commodity growers frequently partner with the USDA for marketing and research checkoffs:
"Milk Does a Body Good" and "Got Milk." "Pork: the Other White Meat," "Beef: It's What's for Dinner" and "The Incredible Edible Egg" are recognizable slogans developed and funded by Checkoff programs." But gotta love it — and it's all over my News Feed today — a program voluntarily agreed to by the tree growers in hopes of increasing sales translates into: "Barack Obama hates Christians!"
Sure glad I have an artifical tree!
This article twists the announcement of a industry-supported marketing program into a tax. Unless farmers tax each other, this is not a tax.
Christmas tree growers from across the country have been working voluntarily for four or five years to figure out the details of this checkoff program. This will fund national and regional marketing campaigns. This is a fulfillment of a request from the growers and a cause for celebration! Once it gets off the ground, these funds will be distributed by a board of industry representatives to Christmas tree associations, universities, and other entities that will compete to conduct Christmas tree research or marketing.
Where only a small percentage of growers contributed to voluntary marketing efforts in the past, now all growers will contribute according to their share of the market. The Christmas tree industry follows in the path of more than a dozen other commodities that have improved their markets including beef, watermelons, and blueberries.
This is a great example of government helping farmers to work together to create something that would be impossible without the highest level of cooperation.
Jeff Owen, Area Christmas Tree Specialist, NC State University
Dear Grace Smith: If my comments are misguided it's because the article is misguided.
The live tree industry wants to be promoted, it needs to be promoted by the members. Why should there be a government oversite? Your being a Democrat might explain that answer. I haven 't used a real tree since 1970 when I bought a plastic tree because I can't see killing a little tree for a Non-Scriptural event. No sacrifice required because we don't live under a law requiring such. I believe in Christ but show me a scripture which promotes this event called Christmas. I have gone along with the season for the happy times it brings but Christmas is an event started and promoted by a particular group for a ficticious day. The govenment as such should have no part in this event considered a religious day, especially when the Separation of Curch and State Democrats are running it.
Really?
This was initially implemented in 1965 and has decreased by 6% since them. This is nothing new and it is nothing Obama did. The act was introduced to help reproduce new tree's and keep the agriculture growing instead of depleting. Some people just don't do all their homework.
"It's taken off the top of the growers' gross revenues."
Yes, because businesses never pass operating costs onto the consumer.
Just what we need, a new federal bureaucracy just for Christmas trees, and, of course, a new tax. I can hear the conversation that got this whole thing started: "Hey, guys, what's the stupidest idea for a new bureaucracy to make more useless government jobs you can think of?" "I know, I know…a new department for Christmas tree promotion!" "Ok, what do you bet I can get Obama to do it and pass a tax to support it?"
Wouldn't this be considered some form of discrimination towards Christians for are the only ones it will be affecting?
"The National Christmas Tree Assn., based in Chesterfield, Mo., says that the program was requested by the industry, not the Obama administration." Oh…. oops. Never mind.
Another clear example of this administration believing that it knows what is best for us, even if we don't need it, don't ask for it, and don't want it. How rediculous!
Just what we need…another roomful of federal government marketing geniuses helping out private industry.
Christmas trees: they're not just for Christians anymore!
How much of this .15 is going to go into the coffers of the USDA? This is wrong! I don't think the Christmas tree folks need help improving their image especially from the fed government.
Oh my god! Seriously why lets just tax air
Mr Addington, is this the best you can do? The growers asked for this fee which they are paying to promote natural trees vs the faux versions. FIFTEEN CENTS per tree (not 15% as you misspoke) is hardly comparable to the Grinch who stole Christmas. What is really disconcerting is all of these comments that swaloow whole hog your complete misrepresentation.
It's coming down to christmas tree tax , then we'll have tax on every tooth that has to be extracted out of your mouth. This is nonsense, Government grow up be accountable and listen to what we want. Jobs, factories, inflate our GNP, and regulate campaign contibutions, regualte banking, regulate insurance companies, regulate all lobbyists-in fact put a stop to lobbying. If there's no extra food the lion won't wait to be fed. Cut government, cut government spending. Pay teachers what they deserve. Most of all apologize to the american people by making the big banks, and mortgage servicers that buried everyone in robo-signing. Give us back our credit & down payments on every house that they double dipped on. and sold false securities on.
"The Obama administration is backing a plan requiring U.S. Christmas tree growers to pay 15 cents per natural tree sold; imported producers will pay 20 cents per tree. The revenue would go exclusively toward a program that will research and promote fresh-cut Christmas trees in the United States.
The Christmas tree farmers sought the levy. They have been hit by the increase in popularity of artificial and plastic trees over the past several decades, and they want to find a way to keep their businesses — mostly small family farms — going."
Source – http://cnnmon.ie/vOrIW4
To reiterate: "The Christmas tree farmers sought the levy"
"The Christmas tree farmers sought the levy" Should I repeat it one more time?
To quote one of Reagan's famous phrases: "Trust, but verify"
Looks like you fools don't know how to verify.
Why don't they raise the price of the trees?
Thank you! I posted a link earlier from the Federal Register that stated the same thing. What's more, the only reason this is the governments responsibility is because of an Act passed in 1996 regarding the promotion of agricultural businesses.
I didn't know that Charlie Brown did so much damage to the Christmas tree industry's image, I always thought Charles Schultz was trying to get across the point that, the material things about Christmas isn't what matters. Maybe We're way off base and the President is right?
Do you really think the Pres cooked up an evil plan to support the growers by socking them with fifteen pennies on each tree? Do you really think he was somehow involved in this? Really?
I think the idea is a good….that being a centralized marketing campaign for the Christmas Tree growers of America, but the execution is wrong and our government should not be leading this type of effort.
.
Before you decide that this is the first time … It is not! it happens ALL THE TIME, especially in Agriculture. Every citrus farmer is forced to pay a "marketing assessment" of XX cents per box of fruit that he sells. The money, just like the Christmas tree "Tax", goes to a government board to pay for promotion of citrus. The same thing happens to Egg farmers, Beef ranchers, cotton farmers, pecan growers, lettuce growers, etc. etc. etc. Each pays a special tax on every unit of product that they sell. and the government controls that money to "Help" the industry. Big brother has been screwing the producers in this country for years and years. Obama is just the latest I-know-how-to-spend-your-money-better-than-you do, to do it.
Let's look at priorities – Our armed forces are fighting in Afganistan and Iraq, people are going to bed hungry every night, the number of homeless people fighting for places to sleep and eat is escalating faster than we can count, illegal aliens are over-running our borders and stealing services from our citizens, and what is the President spending his time on? Putting together a tax on the safe, well-loved, tradition of putting up a Christmas tree to help celebrate a season of love and giving. Makes perfect sense to "take out the garbage" come next November before we get another tax on holiday fruitcake or hanging Christmas lights.
This may be the stupidest thing I have ever seen
I wonder what the money is going to be used for… really used for???
Acting Administrator Shipman had the temerity to say the 15-cent mandatory Christmas tree fee “is not a tax…"
LIARS. Fees, Licenses, Usage Fees, etc., ALL A TAX.
He needs to be impeached. He does not know what it means to stop spending. Oh, I just forgot that doesn't apply to him.
I can see the editorial cartoons right now! …… Obama, the Grinch, the Christmads tree and, of course, the obligatory snide remark…… A real public relations SNAFU that this administration doesn't need. ….. WAY TO GO AG SECRETARY …. its even better than the foot_in_mouth_republicans.
Another government agency? and more federal/government jobs. This president has cost the taxpayers more than any other president in history. He's a Joke
David Addington, you're an idiot. The National Christmas Tree Association, a trade group of Christmas tree growers, proposed the fee so they can afford to advertise. They face competition from artifical Christmas tree manufacturers. This is not an Obama tax, it won't benefit the government in any way. So how about you blog truthfully and fairly for a change?
Car companies charge all their dealers advertising fees on every car they sell. They do NOT ask the government to collect it. And we, the customer pay even if we do not know. I'm sorry, but I have to blame the leader of our country for allowing more government employees to do non-government work.
Guess I've never heard of such a stupid thing. But then again what does one expect when the government gets involved??? We certainly don't need another tax!!
Next it will be 15cents per foot then 15 cents per branch,and then 15 cents per needle. Finally there will be recognition tax on Christmas .Then on Jan 1st the dead tree tax. The dead tree recycling tax. The new tax for the New year will be the seedling tax with a adjustable potting soil tax.
Maybe we should just use the new found ability of the congress to mandate purchase of goods and services (healthcare anyone?) and apply it to christmas trees. That should make the christmas tree industry happy.
Will "Tax 'm 'til They Drop" Obama pay an extra 15 cents for the White House Christmas tree shipped from California?
wow I didn"t know Christmas Trees had an Image problem!
This makes no sense.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been noticing how much people hate Christmas trees, and how their image has suffered so. Why, just the other day I was discussing how traumatic it was when I was a kid and Thanksgiving would roll around. I’d sit there and weep while the tree went up, and then every time I looked at it over the next month or so, I would fall into a depressive funk. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when January came and we could finally put that whole “Christmas” thing in the rear view mirror for the next year…
And don't even get me STARTED on how much we hated the singing, and the calls for peace and joy, and the free toys that showed up, and the great food, and the egg nog, and…
Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree we promote you with a Federal Fee, ( now all sing along together…) Oh Christmas tree Oh Chritmas tree i'll cut mine in the woods for free. Promotion DEEEEnied.
Um, you all realize that it was Republican legislation that set this up, right?
http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/gop-fingerpri…
Co-sponsored by Pat Roberts and John Boehner.
If the Christmas tree growers want to promote fresh trees, terrific. They can all chip in some $ to do so, although they've tried this and it didn't work for them(selves). If they can't promote their OWN industry, too bad for them – they have only themselves to blame.
However, it's NOT the role of government to promote Christmas tree growers…or the milk, pork or other producers for whom similar programs have been run by the gov't (even if the gov't claims that these programs were "successful") ESPECIALLY if the industry can't even promote itself. Come on, this isn't the gov't helping to "jump start" some fledgling new industry that of critical national importance to our future economic viability!
This is a GREAT example of where the gov't could reduce headcount (yes, actually fire some unnecessary employees!) to save on our deficit!
wouldnt this tax just hurt the poor even more?
Tom in Montana · 50 minutes ago
It's not a tax, never was and never will be.
Much like the pork checkoff (Remember the "America's Other White Meat"
ads), the milk checkoff ("Got Milk?") and the beef checkoff ("Beef: It's
What's For Dinner"), this is a fee imposed on the Christmas tree
industry by the Christmas tree industry itself to promote its product.
Growers have been working on ramping this up for three years … in
other words, when George W. Bush was still president.
And it's not 15 cents per tree added on. It's 15 cents per tree taken
off the top of the growers' gross revenues. The consumer's price doesn't
change. The growers have come a long way — when they first discussed
this back in the 1980s, there were death threats involved.
A quick check with Rick Dungey of the National Christmas Tree
Association could have cleared up your confusion. Or you could have
popped over to their website and read this document: http://www.christmastree.org//checkoff.pdf
It's called "research," sir. Next time, do some.
what to america now? even a christmas tree has a tax? i only bloom there with no tax why pay for having it as christmas tree? wow great huh
The power to tax is the power to destroy!
I've seen a considerable amount of effort by liberals to debunk this story, and yet, the author specifically provides citations to the federal register which establishes this tax. Everyone can go and read the federal register on November 8th. The department of agriculture clearly creates a .15 tax on Christmas trees. Mind boggling how people can read this article and then claim it's all made up.
This sickens me so much… He can't be bothered with Occupy XXX yet he passes something like this…
[…] Foundation Vice President David Addington, who first reported on the rule on his blog Tuesday evening, said there were two problems with the new fee. First, he said, it’s likely […]
A new Christmas Tree Promotion Board is being established to hopefully save or create jobs for 10 elves – unfortunately, only one part of this statement is not true…
Commodities that already have an assessment: dairy, beef, eggs, pork, honey, mohair, watermelon, popcorn, peanut, mushrooms, potatoes, and soybeans
I find it interesting that the programs this was modeled on (Beef – It's whats for dinner, and Got Milk), never received this type of scrutiny. Those programs are much larger in scope. Perhaps it only depends on who is in office at the time, implementing the tax? Why not take Bush to task about those more expensively taxed programs?
What do we need with a new Federal Christmas tree image improvement and marketing program? Don't people who are into Christmas already know all about Christmas trees?
"the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees."
Isn't this like taxing the sale of new cars to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of new cars????
OH wait…..they already do that…..so what's the bitch? Or are the religiously oriented just mad about this bill because they feel their beliefs are being "mocked and picked on"? Since, on the average, I don't bother putting up a Christmas tree, this won't effect me.
Those of us who purchase fresh Christmas trees do it because they hold a special place in our holiday tradition. We already love them
and we don't need a government agency to help promote Christmas trees. If this is true it is absolutley, totally disgusting!
I am a Christian tree grower here in NH. I thought it was Congress that imposed taxes. Since when can taxes be imposed by the department of Ag. I am embarrassed that my industry is asking for the creation of a NEW TAX.The idea that we must have this "corporate subsidy " or the sky is going to fall is just what is bankrupting America. The Christmas tree industry can and must promote its self. Interestingly, today the NH Executive Council, refused a federal taxpayer funded grant to run TV ads to promote real Christmas trees. If we are going to balance the federal budget people who can are going to have to stop putting their hands out for grants and invest in their own industry and put their hands in their OWN pockets.
I guess this is what you call a green job. Lets all get together in November 2012 and make Washington green by sending Obama home to wherever he came fro
i heard he already cancelled it? too bad, he was going to make a lot of people angry and more people aware of how incompetent he really is. that right there was worth the extra 15 cents. lol.
Why is it always the president that dunnit! Every time something goes on its touted as coming from the white house! Hello …government policies come from policy makers sitting in big fat chairs who do not necessarily have to inform Mr president … get real! the economic problems we are facing were caused by a 3 trillion dollar war, recklessness of the banks and an ailing balance of trade!
I am a Christmas Tree Grower in Texas and am totally against this law. This law would require me to pay a tax of 15 cents per tree sold in order to fund a national advertising campaign. With the passage of this law I am no longer in control of what promotional message I would actually fund. According to a June 2001 Supreme Court Decision when the advertisements from these type of programs were considered to be industries message to the public they were declared unconstitutional because they violated an individual's first amendment rights of being forced to pay for speech with which they may not agree. In May 2005 the Supreme Court once again presided over another of these cases and at that time they declared these programs where in accordance with the Constitution because the government declared that these were not in fact industries message to the public, but were in fact "government speech" and thus in effect nullifying an individual's first amendment rights. Oh the freedoms we will give away when we perceive we might stand to profit and all of this goes unnoticed by the general public who know nothing about and are not involved in Agricultural Commodity Promotion and Research Programs.
Ah. So let me get this straight.
There is now going to be a tax on Christmas trees.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Am I understanding this correctly?? The US government is accepting responsibility for collecting money for an advertising company? While they have no clue as to how to stabilize our economy and put people back to work. GIVE ME A BREAK !
Unless the House of Representatives has authorized the tax it is unconstitutional. And taking this administrations word about a law is dangerous. They regularly lie and deceive.
I really love how everyone likes to blame Obama for any and everything. This "tax" was proposed by the USDA, Obama had nothing to do with it. This promotion is like the "got Milk" and "beef, it's what's for dinner" promotions already in place. BTW there is an additional tax on beef for that promo. The point of this tax/promotion is to spur people to buy fresh cut trees to support that industry because the sales of real trees has gone down over the years. The tax is to be paid by the growers and may or may not be passed on to consumers. And wow guess what? It's a whopping 15 cents per tree. So, rather than complaining and saying your buying fake trees, pay the 15 cents and support an American business!!
OK, maybe I am not understanding something here. This a 15 CENT tax on christmas trees. Is that extra 15 cents really going to deter people from buying??
Why not just accept this and move on. If you don't want to pay an extra 15 cents on a $30 tree, then I think you may be a tad too concerned about your money, and far too willing to jump up and attack the government. Suck it up. If you really oppose the tax, don't buy a tree.
Has CBO or OBM scored this brilliant proposal yet? Did Christmas tree sellers ask for the Government's help in promoting their the sale of trees? Is this part of Obama's jobs plan? Does Homeland know about this .Does the Justice Department know about this? Why aren't the larger trees paying more than 15 cents.? Dorset this call for a "Occupy Christmas Tree" protest? Are sellers in Chicago exempt? If you sell these trees as "Holiday" trees do you still have to pay the 15 cents?
Maybe The Xmas tree companies should through in together and hire a marketing firm (if they feel tree sales are down). Why does the Gov get involved?… Oh wait. this is Obamas way of creating 2 new jobs.
Yes Virginia, there is a christmas tree tax.
This really has to be a joke, right?
So every Tree farmer should open 2 farms . Sell 499 trees each. OR HEY let's all just go out plant our own on the property of the farmers…and THEN the farmer won't be SELLING the tree .. just leasing the spot for it…. LOL
Pure genius. Looks like a political payoff to me. I wonder who got appointed to head the new dept.
This is not a creation of the Obama Administration– its something that has been in the works for awhile.
"Beef, its what's for Dinner"
"Pork ,the other white meat"
Ring a bell? Its called a USDA checkoff program and that's what this tax intended to support. The checkoff programs have been widely successful for the beef and cattle industries. I don't think anyone can deny that.
I offer no predictions on how well this program will work for our growers, but our real Christmas tree industry has been losing ground to plastic trees from China for a long time. So it needs something. Of course the eco-nazi's are not helping either, twisting the facts and trying to say how plastic trees are "more green". I imagine a lot of people are deciding to not even buy a tree at all.
I personally know many tree farmers. Many, probably MOST are hurting right now, some losing their farms and businesses altogether due to the weak demand and over supply. Many are harvesting entire farms of trees at a loss which has been devastating– and lowing the price for every other farmer at the same time. All the while, retail prices have held steady. The cost of growing a tree has skyrocketed too, given cost of herbicides, fertilizers and diesel have gone up. Keep in mind it takes 8-10 years to grow a tree from a seedling to a marketable tree– a huge investment of time and money.
Please understand that there is more to the story besides your 15 cents.
Say What????? Oh christmas tree oh christmas tree.
Christmas tree growers REQUESTED this .
I just don't get it. We are in such a financial mess & millions of children are going to bed hungry. So many have lost theirjobs and homes and Obama is worried about adding a tax to support a new federal program which would improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees? Does he realize how many people won't have a tree, not because they don't want one but because they no longer have a home to place them or just can't afford it. I didn't realize that Christnas trees even needed to be imaged or marketed. They have always been a family tradition.
Oh come on… you should be embarassed. If you have a real issue to go after Obama with, then do that. But this is a made-up tempest.
This whole thing is done as an Agricultural Marketing Order, by which all the producers of a certain product can vote on whether they want to tax themselves to promote their product. It's been part of the agricultural system for years, the best example is probably the "Got Milk" campagin.
It's not a tax, and the President had nothing to do with it. If you don't like marketing orders, then have Congress change the system.
I assume that since it's now clear that this is an industry group which has decided to do collective promotion similar to "Got Milk," "Cotton: the fabric of our lives" and "Beef: it's what's for dinner," the writer of the above nonsense will issue a retraction and an apology.
Also, the last line, no doubt intended as a zinger, is actually incorrect: real tree sales have been falling due to competition from artificial trees. This is what the tree industry association (NOT the Obama administration) is trying to counter, using the traditional free-market means of advertising.
After reading this I had to make sure I wasn't on The Onion.
Yes improving the Christmas tree's image should solve our problems !
It's 15 cents per tree and the trees will eventually be left on the curb for public sanitation to pick up. Maybe we should just charge to haul them away. I pay for trash pick up like everyone else and I don't have Christmas trees. Sharing costs is part of being in a civilized society.
And this from the man who wants them renamed 'Holiday Tree'! Is that helping their 'image'?!
It's like Obama is saying "Hey all you voters out there, I may be running for President again, but I don't really want to win… Let me screw up the economy even more so I can make sure that I lose!"
Maybe we should organize a "tree party" to protest the new tax ;)
So glade the president is helping this country with more important things like creating jobs.
The National Christmas Tree Association asked for this! The program – similar to familiar industry campaigns like "Got Milk?" "Beef: It's What's For Dinner" and "The Incredible Edible Egg" – would have been fully funded by fees on the industry at 15 cents per Christmas tree sold. The industry had asked the USDA to set up the program. We are talking 15 freaking pennies – not 15% of the sale.
This article is written in such a way that it implies president Obama came up with this. He did not. This tax was requested by the National Christmas Tree Association in 2009 to fund a campaign to help bolster sales. Other news outlets give the facts without slanting them. I'm sure this won't make it through the moderator, but I had to give it a try.
Did this bright idea come from the National Christmas Tree Growers Association? If so I can't drop my membership fast enough. What a stupid idea.
for an update on this issue see: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/09/merry-… In short, the implementation has been delayed because of outcry. What ticks me off is that SOME Christmas tree growers want this MANDATORY tax to promote their industry because other Christmas tree growers don't want to VOLUNTARILY give enough money to keep a promotion program going. I see no reason why the federal government should be involved in taxing producers who do not want to be included in these industry promotion programs (i.e. Got Milk?) These programs should be COMPLETELY VOLUNTARY with opt-in membership, not the current MANDATORY programs that occasionally have paperwork-laden opt-outs.
Open mike slams a long term valued friend with another idiot. Daily violates our Country's founding documents. Has department heads that are just that "Heads" especially HLS, Justice, Health, DOT, oh the hell with it all of them. Money to bundlers scam projects that were known to fail before they got the money the first or second time, go figure? Debt from here to close to infinity and this is a tax that only congress can approach is no surprise. November 2012 cannot come fast enough. Go Herman
Oooh! Sheer ecstasy! How wonderful it is to see that Britain did not have the monopoly on totally stupid ideas with Blair & Gang!
Omg. And this helps to create new jobs how???????
Don't forget the Christmas present tax….oh…I forgot.. we're already paying that…all this tax money headed straight up a wild hog's buttocks…as Linus put it best in the Pumpkin Patch….we are all doomed…say ur prayers the end is not near it's already here…
Found an article in the Chicago Tribune about this. Seems like the Christmas tree growers association asked for this. It's similar to programs used in the cotton and beef industries, and has produced very good results for them. According to growers, people are buying fake trees more often and the revenue from this program could help their promotional needs. Of course not every grower is on board, but so far the majority seem to be.
Never happened.
It does serve to temporarily remove attention from Obamacare, the Freddie & Fannie mess, the unsecure southern border, Solyndra etc.
Increase taxes detering people from giving the tax revenue to the government , Because we all know its really going to them. is going to increase cristmas tree sales? Obviously this is not for what they say it is intended for. What program are the gonna make next, the underwear tax? Keeping underwear cleaner and more attractive.
we have a $1.00 Beef Check Off fee on each cow or calf sold in Texas. It is used or supposed to be used to promote the consumption of beef. What is the difference?
Permit me to present an alternative view. Live American Christmas trees are threatened by imports of petroleum based artificial trees from China. If this money paid for by the growers (not the taxpayers) helps Americans change their buying habits back to real Christmas trees helping American farmers and away from Chinese imports, then I don't see a problem with it.
MY goodness…..there is ONE sane person on here. Congratulations Vince you are the only one to have a clue.
This is not a joke, I just read about it on Snopes.com and all I can say is WOW our government really has it's priorities straight. Apparently on Nov 9th they decided NOT to implement the program but, still why would they waste their time on Christmas Trees?!!
maybe the industry needs reparations after the Obama's White House tree sported its infamous "Mao" ornament.
And people wanted this man for president…. Next youll be charge to use every public bathroom ans so forth
It's a good thing that I don't believe in killing trees just for a holiday.
Oh, you people are largley fools. Has anyone stopped to ask "How do Christmas tree sellers feel about this?" Well, this is NOT an "Obama tax". It is a program designed and requested by the National Christmas Tree Association itself! They pitched it to the DOA 2 years ago. But, being a right-wing pile of doody with little regard for fairness and balance, this article conveniently omitted that little fact. Yes, this is a program promoted by PRIVATE INDUSTRY to promote more BUSINESS. It is not a tax that goes into the Federal budget and it is not "wasteful spending" @bobc74. Furthermore, it amounts to roughly .5% of a $30 tree. Big deal. Funny how y'all were so quiet when Cheney was inviting Big Oil to come on in for drinks and write the nation's energy policy. Remember that? I'd say that was a little bigger in the grand scheme. So much for your conservative "principles".
Not to worry people he won't serve another term. He has done nothing. Just like Bush.
And obama creates more jobs at taxpayer expense, now we have a "Christmas tree czar" along with added Christmas tree bureaucrats!
And obama creates more jobs at taxpayer expence
Ok- Here's what we all do, Send the anointed one 15 pennies and a lump of coal
I thought it was a joke also; however, with all the replies, I cannot help but laugh…or is it a laughable piece of news? Since apparently, it seems they are serious. Well after all Obama is running for President again, so any and everything even something as ridiculous as this is his priority. Someone needs to tell him the Priorities are the economy, jobs, health care, foreign relations and a myraid of other issues that are more important than another tax. We are taxed to death already and for those of you who are about to start SS, do you realize that you are going to pay income taxes on the money you put into the coffers?
On the eve before Veterans Day, we should take one moment and give thanks to those who have served and to the Brave men and woman still serving today. And do not forget each and every family member who provided support 24/7 365 days of the year.
Now if we can have the American people stand up, and make their voices heard as they are on wall street and all of our nation. TO SUPPORT OUR SERVICE MEMBERS, every time tough decision has to be made on Capital Hill it starts with benefits for the armed forces? Maybe the cuts should start at te top, does the Senate leadership need $193.400 or the speaker of the house need $223,500 a year?? I don't know maybe they do. But when you have the power to vote on your own raise and vote not to accept OBMA care, that's when I start t have a problem.But each of us has the right to voice our own opinion, THANKS to those who defend our Constitution 24/7 365! I thank each and every one of you, and salute your families.
He couldn't fit in his own stocking….
Pro-life for Christmas Trees
..
Idiots in Washington
I'm trying to get into the Navy and have been stonewalled because they have no money for new commissions right now. I'll bet there's money for at least one in this program.
This has nothing to do with the administration. This is all the work of a bunch of bozos running the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA). They have been at this for 30 years now and were defeated by their own members and the growers at least once before. They finally found a loophole and got this 15 cent a tree deal through without a vote of the constituents. Well I say bozos, maybe they are really, really smart in laying their hands on about $4 million a year to have themselves and their friends in the advertising world a wonderful Christmas from here on out. I know this stuff, I have been growing Christmas trees for over 30 years. The only reason I am not a member of the NCTA is exactly this issue.
He's going to promote the tree by making it more expensive??? That's a new one for marketing 101.
They will probably want to charge us for having Christmas parties, New Years. Maybe there will be a turkey tax too or a pumpkin pie tax. Maybe there will be a tax on using the Internet. There are endless possibilities to bleed the working person dry.
I understand President Obama is reconsidering this tax. But to even consider it in this economy, a tax on a fresh Christmas tree. This is totally ridiculous and showing how far government is overreaching and why 2012 can't come soon enough!
Good thing I've been diagnosed with allergies and won't ever be able to have a live tree in my home again. Saves me 20 bucks in my life time of another of his redundant taxes.
Obama ran on "Change" to get elected…he realy wanted all your change from your pockets. Dont be fooled next time.
Man. You are all eejits. Especially the person who wrote this pile of unresearched trash. It is not a tax and not Obama's idea, but local farms trying to help themselves. Grow up for goodness sake.
I wonder if this is a foot in the door to get government involved in the sale of Christian merchandise so it can be completely eliminated from the United States through some future tax or law. This man scares me. I certainly hope the vast majority of voting citizens are as outraged as I and the other posters here. If the popular vote is too close the electoral college may take precedence. We cannot allow this man to remain in the White House. He shouldn't have been allowed in in the first place (not a natural born citizen, etc.)
The National Christmas Tree Association petitioned for this – the Administration is only doing what the group representing the growers asked for. The NCTA was looking for a "equitable" way to raise revenue to promote live trees after steadily losing market share to artificial trees. The money will be spent on promotion by a board of tree growers.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/christmastre…
What a joke, growing and cutting these trees is a colossal WASTE of natural resources for a stupid holiday where they get used for a couple of weeks and then THROWN AWAY to produce more pollution and waste of fossil fuels to deal with coming and going.
At a time when our forests are under immense seige from acid rain/pollution, massive wildfires, massive insect infestations, deforestation for lumber and land clearning and on and on it goes- we need EVERY tree that is planted to be planted in the FOREST- not squandered on some insane holiday!
You spend $50 or $100 for a damn tree and you are all upset about a 15 CENT tax??? geez, you people will spend 20 times that in SALES TAX on just one TOY- made in CHINA no less.
Get real
NewsBusters: Ad Age Writer Blames 'Grinch' Drudge for Demise/Delay of 'Christmas Tree Tax' http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2011/11/1…
you didnt know how good you had it buy a smaller tree voter
Wow that was something….
I just hope that the amount collected will be really allotted to a good cause…
I really liked Xmas tree that is why i am agreeing to this :)
***
Visit Crumblrr.com
Have you never head of the "beef, it's what's for dinner" or "got milk?" campaigns? This "tax" is to raise funding for industry-wide promotion and support, which is common practice in quite a few industries. The money is going to support tree farmers. If you're going to complain about this, you better be ready to disagree with the far more expensive and unnecessary practice of nationwide farm subsidies – paid for by actual taxes
Now we know who the Grinch who Stole Christmas is!
If Mr. Addington was attempting to rile up his readers by portraying this issue as "another Obama tax", then he was very successful (I'm reading the comments. But, if he was intending to accurately communicate information (truth), he utterly failed. While I am not a Christmas tree grower myself, I am a grower and industry leader in another "specialty crop" that is attempting to establish a similar "National Research and Promotion Program" through the same "mechanism" that the NCTA used. While these programs are created through the USDA, they do not cost the taxpayers anything: nor do they bring any funds into the National Treasury. All the costs, and they are significant, are born by the initiating entity or industry group. Believe me, fellow conservatives, given the upfront cost to the initiating agricultural industry group, these deals are not entered into lightly. But if, after much thought(agonizing) and discussion, that industry decides it makes good sense to "grow their market" through promotion efforts such as these, and that industry is willing to bear the whole cost themselves, who am I to stand in their way? (part 1 of my comment)
Part 2-
These types of actions are totally driven by the private agricultural industry group. It is just so unfortunate and sad that so many writers and "talkers" on our conservative team do not take "due diligence" in how they portray issues such as this one. This great country now seems filled with ideologues, on both the left and the right, that seek only to demonize the other side, as Mr. Addington"s piece illustrates. And the collateral damage in this case are those domestic agricultural industries that have worked with USDA for many years to implement a program that they believe will help them remain profitable and in business here in this country. I speak from first-hand experience.
I hate what the Left, and the Obama administration are doing to this country, but that gives me no excuse to play "fast and loose" with the facts. Those that do, like this writer, seem to have convinced themselves that "the ends justify the means". I really had expected a much higher standard at the Heritage Foundation.
Where are the truth-seekers? Where are the truth-speakers?
why don't we Americans, Christians, ( only those born here since 1776 !) put a one million dollar per minute tax on obama for stupidity!!! It would be perpetural since you can't fix stupid !.
I'll gladly pay the extra 15 cents, so that I may stuff a fresh pine in this idiot's arse. For an extra 15 cents, please sell me a match to light said pine. Nothing says "Christmas" quite like numbnuts roasting on an open fire!
Unbelievable. We're asked to "sacrifice" while the govt continues to make up new Boards and Committees as if they missed their turn in their on-going board game of "How Else Can I Screw The American Public". And I'm sure the new Board members are being rewarded with a nice healthy income, thanks to their 15 cent tax – which is exactly what it is – while so many of our citizens still stand in unemployment lines. That's a real show of cost cutting! But, hey, on a positive note, with all this new critical care and attention given to our meek, poorly imaged Christmas trees, i assume we'll be allowed to bring them back to our public squares, court houses, post offices and classrooms! Yeh, right.
Do Christmas trees come with a born on date , or a use by code ? If I cut it down and wait 2 days is it still a fresh Christmas tree ? What is a Christmas Tree ? There are Blue Spruce , a bunch of Fir trees , all kinds of different Pines , the only "Christmas Tree " I have seen come in boxes , are labeled Christmas Tree , are made plastic or whatever , and are are sure not fresh !
This whole idea wreaks of a government brain fart ! Let's see , It's a light absorbing , erosion control , oxygen producing , Conifer type ( ie : Tree ) used in the celebration of the Christen holiday pronounced " Christmas " ( English ) I could go on but I think you get my point , the description of a fresh Christmas Tree could go in a whole bunch of different directions some taxable , some not ! The government dosen't stand a chance with this . No , I sold the tree's to be held till the end of December so they would be dry enough to make paper for you write your next stupid idea on !!!
The whole thing is toooooo easy to get around with a little though!
O , and a Merry Christmas to you and your pet Conifer, light suspending , recyclable, glass ball display .
Whaa?
I'm just thankful they arent taxing my festivus pole
This is just stupid! But I'm not surprised, everything this man does is pretty much ridiculous. Why don't we focus on the returning soilders remains that have gone missing or on things like education fees going down? For goodness sake people there are worst things going on in this world than the appearance of Christmas trees!!!!
article.I.section.8. of the constitution.The Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes,duties,imposts and excises,to pay the dept and provide and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the united states; but all duties,imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the united states;
Tax on Christmas trees, that is ludacris!!!!!
What's next, Philidelphia cheese steaks, in order to improve the imageo Philidelphia? REDICULUS
Does everyone realize this tax was requested by the National Christmas Tree Association? The industry requested this tax in 2009 to promote the industry. It is no different than the “Got Milk?” campaign and, “Beef. It's what's for dinner.” campaign. Those associations requested funding to promote their agricultural commodities. Im not an Obama lover, but you have to research these things for yourself and decide whats what.
Did any of you bother to research this? It's not a tax imposed by the government. It was requested by the National Christmas Tree Association, 15 cents per tree, to be paid by Christmas tree growers, in order to pay for a "Got Milk?" type ad campaign. It has been requested since 2009 and this is the first year it was finally allowed to go forth. It is a fee by the CTA, imposed only on themselves, and only on the big growers.
The only truth to this article is that it is a bold faced lie in order to garner hate and disgust for the Obama administration. Anyone who readily believes this garbage needs to take a good hard look at themselves and ask the mirror: "Do I really want to be a mindless follower? Or do I want to learn how to read a real news source?"
Ok the question is what are we going to do about this crap?? And I don't mean camping on city steps! Lets get it together people, time to make a stand.
This is something that Christmas tree producers wanted and lobbied for. Obama is *not* pushing this on anyone. He is simply getting out of the way while the free market does its work.
TRUTH !!!
This so-called “tax” is a self-imposed fee of 15 cents per tree proposed by the very industry that would pay it.
After watching the share of natural Christmas tree sales fall to artificial ones over the past decade, a group of tree farmers petitioned the USDA in 2009 to start the process of approving a promotional board to help the industry sell its goods. The National Christmas Tree Association supported the petition.
Such boards are authorized by a law Congress passed in 1996. Two of the Senate co-sponsors of that law were Missouri Republicans John Ashcroft and Christopher “Kit” Bond.
The law specifically directed the USDA to create new promotion boards for popcorn, kiwi and canola oil. This is the same program that brought us the beef checkoff promotion (“Beef, it’s what’s for dinner”) and the “Got Milk” promotion.
These programs exist not because of government intervention, but because specific industries wanted to pool their resources to work hand-in-hand with the government to — wait for it — create jobs.
That’s not quite the story reverberating in the right-wing echo chamber more fixated on fabricating conspiracy theories to discredit Obama than seeking the truth. That’s why Rich Dungey, who does public relations for the tree association, is inundated with calls and emails this week wondering why he’s the Grinch who taxed Christmas.
What fool could possibly come up with a Christmas tax – REALLY !!!!! At least he's limiting the tax to only the big sellers, but what crazy foolishness. King Bahama just keeps at it…. It'll cost more than 15 cents per tree to pay for the program – and what program???? We are going to borrow money from the FEDS to pay for marketing CHRISTMAS TREES!!!!! The American people do not deserve this! My tree farmers make very little profit as it is!
I am at a loss for words!!
You people are morons if you believe this nonsense.
Read the actual facts, which Addington surely knows but twists in a way to get you to believe Obama hates Christmas. The 15 cents per tree fee was requested by the Christmas Tree industry in 2009, before your boogieman president took office, as a way to promote the industry so people would be real trees. After two years of working with the Agriculture Department, the vast majority of respondents believed it was a good thing for the industry to do–just like the "Got Milk" campaign or "Beef, it's what's for dinner." It was sponsored by the industry, paid for by the industry, and benefits the industry. It is not, repeat NOT, a tax on Christmas Trees.
And once again, you've been duped by fools who love it when you demonize the president.
For those that don't already know, this was a plan which was created under Bush's presidency (so it wasn't Obama's fault for creating it), AND Obama has already scrapped the idea.
The Blogger should perhaps consider an addendum to the post, reflecting this?
Hmmmmm- I wonder if the sellers will be able to get around the tax by calling them "Holiday Trees" – and, isn't that what the anti-Christian administration really wants, and the 15 cents is just a smoke screen?
Please God please let November 2012 get here twelve months early. A-men
"Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996" ???
Where is that in the US. Constitution? This beast has gotten WAY out of control.
And by "beast," I mean the Federal Government.
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
Where is it in the Constitution? See Preamble part about how government shall " … promote the general welfare." Just like it did when it helped pave the way for the nation's first canals, railroads, highways, more-reliable commercial river traffic, soil and water (Ever hear of the Dust Bowl Days?) conservation, the EPA, Interstate Highway System = all parts of a powerful, wealthy, industrialized and modern Democracy. We also have a Supreme Court (created as a competing branch of government by the founders — a balancing power against the Executive and Legislative Branches of government) to DECIDE what's "constitutional" and what is not. Know your country and its history … or pay the price, please.
This jerk has gone way too far. It is time for some patriot step to the plate and end this madness.
JFK was "Taken out" for a whole lot less.
Why shouldn't Christmas tree growers have access to the same programs that other commodities have? Please review the follow: http://www.christmastree.org/11_PR9.pdf http://www2.wataugademocrat.com/News/story/Christ… http://ashemountaintimes.com/News/story/Growers-f…
I am a christmas grower, also I am not fan of president Obama but David Addington should get his story right to maintain any credibility. The true story is, the National Christmas Tree Association with its members voted to impose a 15 cent fee on each tree cut to promote Real Trees. The majority of the members said yes. The government only gives its blessing. Obama has nothing to do with the fee but story went out that it was a tax by Obama. Because of politics, the governmenst with drew its blessing.
The Christmas Tree industry asked for this fee to be imposed. They need a promotional campaign (which is where the 15 cents would have gone) to help offset the $ lost due to artificial trees.
Thanks to the uproar by conservatives (like you), the administration pulled back and the Christmas Tree growers will not have this resource to help them sell more trees.
Read the whole thing here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/christmastre…
Maybe president Obama will tax apple pies next
"shovel ready"
What a biased article. 'is that the best Obama can do?'… right… like that's all he's doing. If you checked the news last night he layed out stipulations that will help save 2.2 trillion in the next few years since the supercommittee failed to reach an agreement (numbers may not be exact). Like you say there are more important issues at hand for our President, I say there are more important stories to cover than to slam him for this. For those that simply read the tagline and rushed to the boards: it's to help the industry.. and it's only for those that carry 500 trees or more, so i'm sure $.15 per tree won't make a dent. At least you'll know most likely that the money being put in is going directly to the industry that employs you.
Mr. Addington, stop the insane falsifying of the facts. The National Christmas Tree Association petitioned the USDA to allow the growers to impose a 15 cent fee per tree sold to pay for a promotional campaign that The National Christmas Tree Association wanted (There are a small minority of growers who are against such a program). How convenient to leave out the most important facts, just to support your point of view. The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) reported the true facts in its November 10, 2011 publication. And the AJC has a "Truth-O-Meter" and in your case found your "Pants On Fire". Where is your integrity? Your integrity appears to be non-existent like Bernie Madoff, Mr. Fastow of Enron, and Rupert Murdock the wire tapper who gained personal information for his London tabloid. We need integrity in America, not twisted accounts of public or private programs. Come on!
OK. Now that that's taken care of, lets institute a Hanukah tax. How about a nickel for each candle you buy for Hanukah. Then the next step would be to re-institute the Temple tax. Hey, the end is close you know. Only one more year.
what a shame — this president is so out of touch with america—
New ideas about taxation never end! Any new worlds to discover?
I was forwarded to this article from another that I read but I have no interest in reading it. Its sad that so many people believe this, but then again its the authors responsibility to present FACTS. For examle how this isn't a tax on the american people, but one that one specific organization decided to impose on themselves. If your not following me then this means that christmas tree growers throughout the country agreed upon charging the growers who sell over a certain amount of trees a 15 cent fee per tree to help advertise real trees. Funny how lack of research, or the lack of drive to put an honest article out there could ruin an entire industrys plan on advertising to compete with the bottomless wallets that advertise fake trees.
http://bangordailynews.com/2011/11/25/business/is…
Unfortunately many "Americans" on this board would much rather see an increase in sales of Chinese molded plastic Christmas trees (or real Canadian trees) sold at Wal-Mart than to buy a real tree from a real American Farmer. Hard for farmers to compete with huge companies without national marketing. Bummer that too many people got so caught up in their own ridiculous politics, so much so that they'd hurt American farmers by keeping them from spending their OWN MONEY on marketing. Bummer for us – we're our own worst enemy.
oh, ok mr. obama. so if the growers and cutters have to pay a 15 cent tax on the cut trees, what happens when families goe to the xmas tree farms to cut their own trees? do they have to pay 15 cents as a cutter and harvester too? Or if the family goes to the national forests to cut the family xmas tree, do they have to pay the 15 cent fee for the national forest tree also? where does it end mr. prez. signed, Abdon of so. Calif.
This is that hope and change you could believe in, remember? LOL Something says he just don't want the job anymore.
Take a look at this!
Suspicious that this might be another case of "misinformation" (Heritage? sure), I checked Politifact and, following a full page of information, the final conclusion was "Setting that eye-of-the-beholder issue aside, the claim that Obama was behind the tree charge suggests he came up with the scheme. That's not correct; the idea originated with the industry before he became president. We rate the statement Mostly False." Anything this absurd means that someone takes a kernel of truth and turns it into a major – mostly false – piece of propaganda.
Get honest. Obama didn't ask for the tax. The industry wanted it.
This story is a lie. These tree growers created this advertisement pool. Just like the 'Got Milk' campaign.
http://michiganradio.org/post/politics-messes-chr…
This is how all great government tax plans start – 15 cents this year for each new tree. Next year it will be 15 cents for each light on the tree and call it an "energy tax".
Yes, Mark, you are correct it. It was Obama implementing a tax on the growers who lobbied for it .
Our federal government should not be administering industry programs for businesses. Much of business is in bed with the politicians – like Buffet who convinced the gov't to lean on the banks to take his money and give him Preferred stock so he could make a killing, and like many of the Congress who went to Washington 20-30 years ago with little wealth and now they are worth millions.
It all stinks. The founders tried to prevent such, but there has not been a literal interpretation of the Constitution for a long, long time. If Congress doesn't have to follow the Supreme law of the land, you wonder why they expect us to follow laws (regulations) made up by OutOfControl Bureaucrats.
Just when you thought Obama couldn't get any dumber He goes and surprises us ! Wow
i think we should give him a d– award for the walk of shame.
we should also come out with are new award called ( the jurk award)
just one more way to put a thorn in the farmers
The 15 cents would not be "passed on" to consumers. It is just a confiscation of profits from the seller. While I do agree that promoting Christmas trees could (might) increase the price of a tree, this function should be done by the tree peddlers. I wonder if this has something to do with an increasing sale of plastic trees?
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It's not a tax if he says so… I'm so gullible. And have no insurance, pay a fine, that's not a tax. But some how goes straight to the IRS.
and .19 cents will go to illegals with no need of documentation to get on the dole..
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