No more taxes. Period!

The older I get, I find that the rules for being and doing good seem to be getting simpler by the day.  The problem of persuading others, however, has gotten to be increasingly difficult.  As Aziz Ansari says, “Everyone weighs in on everything. They don’t know anything. People don’t wanna just say, ‘I don’t know.’”  And the loud voices of idiots drown out the truth!

Today's exhibit: Tampons.

Yes, tampons. And sanitary pads. And, yes, real men talk about this too!

Almost three years ago, I blogged about the idiocy of taxing feminine hygiene products.  I wrote there:

To me, well, there is no argument here: the sales of tampons and sanitary napkins should not be taxed.  But then who listens to me anyway!

The rule is so simple, but persuading others is damn difficult.  Especially to us Rodney Dangerfields who thought our mothers had the best approach to life!

In responding to comments--yes, in those pre-trump years, there were commenters--I became blunter than I was in the blog-post:

Feminine sanitary products are necessities. I would argue that even birth control pills are necessities for that same reason--it is not like women *choose* to have periods and, therefore, it is a luxury. Unlike with shitting, which all of us do, it is a segment of the population that has to deal with menstruation. Which is why tampon tax is a remarkably stupid idea. I am surprised that it has continued this long--I am sure it is because politics is dominated by men, in the discussions and in the decision-making bodies.

This NY Times piece reports on the development in Australia, where from January 1st, tampons won't be taxed.  The report adds:

The fight over a tampon tax goes beyond Australia’s shores. In the United States, there is no tax in nine states for products like menstrual cups, pads and tampons. Five other states have no sales tax at all. Washington’s mayor signed an exemption into law last year. But 36 American states still tax sanitary products, according to the group Period Equity.

It is just bizarre that 36 states here continue to tax them.  (BTW, menstrual cups? What the hell is that?)

There are countries around the world that are a lot wiser compared to the US. Even the less "developed" countries:

Kenya was among the first countries to eliminate the tax on tampons and pads in 2004. India ended its 12 percent tax on sanitary products in July last year, and Canada abolished its goods and services tax completely in 2015.

It was a 12 percent tax in India?  Twelve percent?

Here in the US, politics is dominated by men, in the discussions and in the decision-making bodies, even more now compared to January 2016 when I blogged about tampon tax.  The outright misogyny surprises and shocks me.  As if to put the icing on the cake, the chairman of the all-male Republican membership of the Senate Judiciary Committee has this to say about why their group is all-male:

Even "intelligent" Republican women vote for such assholes!  I tell ya, persuading people about the truth is way more difficult than it should ever be.

Taxing tampons

An awesome feature of this country, which has been home for this argumentative Indian for nearly thirty years, is this--it is one arguing society.  The arguments challenge the status quo, some more revolutionary than others.

Consider this: most states have sales taxes.  But, almost all the states exempt some goods from sales tax.  While the list of exemptions vary across the states, the general idea is that some fundamental necessities will not be taxed.  No tax on bananas, for instance.

Which is when the debate begins. When does a good become a "necessity"?  

It is not easy answering that question, dear reader.  Which means we set ourselves up for a great deal of argument.  It is a fascinating country!

How about female hygiene products?  You know, sanitary napkins, tampons, ... are they necessities or luxuries?

If you are or know women, you know that menstruation is for most not an optional thing. Yet in the vast majority of states in the US, tampons and pads are subject to sales tax.

"Tampons (and similar products) are tax-exempt in only a handful of states"

Source

So, what might be a problem with freeing tampons from sales tax?

[The average] American spends less than half of his or her income on items subject to sales tax. In California, the sales tax is already narrower than the national average, applying to just 27 percent of state residents’ incomes.
Sales tax bases have shrunk over time partly because states have created new exemptions, partly because untaxed online sales have expanded, but most of all because the economy increasingly consists of services.

And when the economy does not do well?

Sales taxes that exclude necessities and services tend to end up relying heavily on restaurant meals and durables like electronics and furniture, which are categories of spending that consumers cut back on when the economy weakens. This makes sales tax receipts more volatile, worsening the budget crises that arise in recessions.

That's a tad convoluted for most people; in plain-speak, please:

That is, one advantage of keeping the sales tax on tampons is that people will buy them whether the economy is good or bad

What a horrible way to address menstruation!

At least in the US women have access to such hygiene products and at low prices.  In many developing countries, girls attending schools becomes a major problem, and providing them with these products does wonders not only for girls' education but for their self-esteem too.

To me, well, there is no argument here: the sales of tampons and sanitary napkins should not be taxed.  But then who listens to me anyway!