I really appreciate everyone's comments and links.  Completely missed Maggie Gallagher's NRO article from just a few days ago, much less the greater detail available at other spots.  

Thank goodness others have been fighting hard against this mess.  I see from googling that our state has dodged this bullet so far, so I haven't seen this junk cross the threshold.  And I'll be working to make sure it never does.

Two dinner scenes.

One, the original "The In-laws" where Peter Falk describes the challenges of his work in Latin America with Tsetse flies (if the link doesn't work just go to youtube and type in Falk and Tsetse flies).

Two, Ricky Bobby saying grace in "Talladega Nights" (not CoC compliant).

Very funny description of Peter's problem.  Definitely shows why Rob makes the big bucks.

A friend (Texas Dem of course) has purchased one and they enjoy it.  Range isn't an issue as his commute is short, but they were a bit surprised at the extent of (expensive) rewiring needed so their house could handle it.  They are typically people that hold cars for 10 years, so hopefully Ricochet will still be here for me to file a followup.

That said, given they are "luxury niche buyers", I was shocked when the wife actually said she was hesitant to discuss the car as so many friends were in the oil business.  When I asked her what she thought the electric company used to power the turbines that created the electricity to charge her battery, she just looked a me and said "oh, I guess you're okay then".

I'm fine with the electric car - it's the cheap grace that galls me.

And don't forget the special dividends that were all the rage last fall as well to beat the increased tax on dividend income.

Reminds me of how Japan in the 90's would announce an increase in the consumption tax, applaud the increased GDP (via consumer spending) in the quarter before the tax was implemented, and then lament the fall off in GDP/sales after the tax went into effect.  I notice that 15-20 years on they are still working on their moribund economy.

Of course, things will be different here....

It can't be too long.  Further to iWC's post the other day and Judith's lead line about the end being nigh, I "love" pulling up Ricochet or a news feed every day and learning that the ground has once again shifted out from under my feet.

Not sure when it started, but I know that I realized it was happening when a 30ish year old student at a pricey elite law school actually got traction by claiming I had to chip in for her birth control.  It's been down hill ever since,  with every week bringing another head shaking moment.  

So I am more than a little nervous about the next shoe to drop... because if we have learned nothing else, it will drop.

I'll have to take your word for it that it's as bad as it sounds - my parents warned me about links like those.

I second the motion!

You must not have seen the (guilty pleasure) film  "Starship Troopers" wherein they have coed showers for the coed space infantry.  Perhaps it's a case of progressive engineering to have life imitate art.

Surprised to see no one has posted, but I am supposing it's because no one really knows what to say... it's just so shocking.

Perhaps the American Life League should get into a very public fight with the newspapers into determining how "little" censoring they can get away with and still run the ads.   Billboards or web ads that do not show the ads but call attention to WaPo and NYT not running the ads.

CBS Marketwatch had a piece discussing the exemption as being for out of state on-line sales, so the guy in his basement seems safe.

That said, this mirrors the healthcare law as people will avoid growing their business to avoid the  hand of government.  

Practically, this law will line the pockets of software providers to track sales.  If a growth story ramps up sales so they pass $1mm in August I expect the taxman will expect his dough regardless of your yearly plan so you better have had the tracking software.  If sales cross $1m once but don't the next year you still need the tracking if only for audit defense when the states come calling.

It will be a case of "Ma, shut down the online store!" to avoid paying out the 8% or so on all online sales for that marginal $1 in revenue.   

Joseph - I did a poor job framing this, but my concern is less about this particular tax than it is about this concept of fairness and how it is going to continuing creeping through our lives.

The argument is it is unfair that people are not paying taxes and the community suffers.   My question is does this lay groundwork for the principal to extend when there are clearly other cases of the community suffering by people taking active measures to avoid paying taxes in their localities, e.g., crossing the state line to avoid higher gas taxes (c.f., Illinois) or sales taxes in part (NY) or in full (MA).  Will "the state" be justified in taking serious measures to force people to pay the high tax of where they live?  Will a Best Buy in New Hampshire be forced to treat every potential customer as a scofflaw?

The NRO article discusses initiatives going on right now in Ohio to attempt extending the tax base of an urban zone outside the urban zone to catch people they consider free riders.

I think these issues are just beginning with this act, not ending.  Just wondering what everyone else thinks...

"Hung my head" was written by Sting but owned by Johnny Cash

Wouldn't this discussion be moot if the family had just moved to a sanctuary city - you know, an enlightened town which thumbs its nose at the jackbooted thugs from immigration and welcomes all?  

Given they did not move to a sanctuary city, shouldn't their legal strategy just be to move into Boston public housing next to O's aunt, overstay their visa, and wait for the amnesty bill?

Patheos is making valid points about precedent and the rule of law, but the sympathy factor on the right stems completely from "the law" being applied so selectively.  People who try to claim persecution - let's have a discussion to check the validity of their claim and then go where the law leads us.  People who break the law either through illegal entry or overstaying their visa - at this point, what difference does it make?

Many have commented how the complexity and unwieldy nature of the healthcare law is a feature, not a bug.   These scams will be just be cited as more proof of the need for a single payer system.  No burdensome paperwork, no risk of scammers.  Just "free" healthcare - after a reasonable wait and review of your place in society of course.

Because nothing could be more fair than forcing a small business to be legally responsible for collecting and distributing sales taxes to 9600 jurisdictions... or forcing them to buy a service from Amazon or others to help them do it!