Oklahoma Gamers to be Taxed to help fund programs for fat kids and wusses.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

A new tax? Proposed by a Democrat? Who's not surprised here...

---------

http://www.gamespot.com/news/oklahama-state-rep-wants-violent-game-tax-6349668#335136370

The price to play video games rated Teen, Mature, and Adults-Only in Oklahoma might be on the rise. An Oklahoma state representative has introduced a new bill that would charge a 1 percent excise tax on "violent" video games.

As reported by Oklahoma news outlet KFOR, state representative Will Fourkiller (D. 86th District) last month introduced House Bill 2696 to the state's legislature. If the bill is signed into law by Republican governor Mary Fallin, all games sold in the state rated Teen, Mature, and Adults-Only would be charged a 1 percent excise tax beginning as early as July 1.

The money collected from the tax, according to the bill, would be given to Oklahoma's obesity-fighting Childhood Outdoor Education Revolving Fund and the Bullying Prevention Revolving Fund.

Fourkiller said he was inspired to draft the bill because he had witnessed obesity, violence, and bullying throughout his time as a teacher, coach, and registered nurse.

"A gentleman shot a police officer and stole his car," Fourkiller said. "He had been playing Grand Theft Auto. Not everybody is going to react the same, but I believe after hours and hours of watching the screen, playing the video game, being that person and taking on that role, people get desensitized."

Fourkiller specifically called out Rockstar Games' Bully, an open-world title that casts players as an adolescent wreaking havoc in a school setting. Fourkiller told the news site he was particularly surprised such a game exists, because bullying is what happens to many kids who play games like it, he said.

Fourkiller said the aim of HB 2696 is not to bring down the video game industry, or to eradicate Teen, Mature, and Adults-Only titles. He said the initiative is an effort to bring awareness to the matter of violence in video games.

According to the Oklahoma State Legislature information page regarding HB 2696, the bill will be read before the House on Monday, February 6.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

If there is a problem of any sort, the government answer is "tax it"

Yet somehow they forget this when the "problem" is illegal aliens being exploited by US employers for profit.

[slim 1,530]

This one kind of makes sense. Except for the fact that ALL games should be taxed, not just the ones he thinks desensitize people. If the aim is to combat obesity and bullying (which I know that's not really the aim) then every video game should be taxed equally. (And they might want to think about more than 1% since medical care is pretty expensive and bullying isn't a quantifiable subject.)

[Andy-n-Maricar 6]

Another tax? Shop at Amazon; no sales taxes and free shipping.

[SMR 368]

Another tax? Shop at Amazon; no sales taxes and free shipping.

Unless you live in Washington or New York. Then there is sales tax.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Another tax? Shop at Amazon; no sales taxes and free shipping.

Unless you live in Washington or New York. Then there is sales tax.

Actually Amazon is only required to collect sales tax in those states. Whether or not you actually pay sales tax is a different issue.

[john_and_marlene 162]

While they are at it, here a some additional items that could have an extra tax added to combat obesity:

Movie tickets

fast food

bacon

whole milk

internet usage

books

beer, wine, liquor

soft drinks

rice

potatoes

bread

cruise ship tickets

butter

sugar

hammocks

reclining furniture and any furniture designed for the patio

electric can openers, blenders, mixers

[slim 1,530]

Welfare should be taxed as well since people on welfare are fat.

[john_and_marlene 162]

Welfare should be taxed as well since people on welfare are fat.

... and lazy

[Darnell 8,479]

John - I read a book ages past that covered just that - see 'Farmer in the Sky' by R A Heinlein.

Was a basic premise for outworld migration.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

While they are at it, here a some additional items that could have an extra tax added to combat obesity:

Movie tickets

fast food

bacon

whole milk

internet usage

books

beer, wine, liquor

soft drinks

rice

potatoes

bread

cruise ship tickets

butter

sugar

hammocks

reclining furniture and any furniture designed for the patio

electric can openers, blenders, mixers

Whoa, wait a minute. You're trying to mess with my beer and bacon? Shame on you!

[TiklingGuy 211]

My father is a state senator here in oklahoma, i am looking forward to seeing if this bill makes it to the senate.