Live Free or Die Taxachusetts!

As promised, here is a follow-up to my earlier posting about the Town Fair Tire case with Massachusetts. Thank you Governor Lynch for doing what we pay you for. Now that there is no Interstate Commerce Commission, I guess we'll have to wait for this trial to be escalated to a U.S. Federal Court.

New England Cable News, Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:44 PM PST
NH gets involved in border tax battle
(Alison King, NECN) - The sales tax battle between Massachusetts and New Hampshire heated up today. Granite State Governor John Lynch is proposing legislation to protect New Hampshire businesses from collecting Massachusetts' five percent sales tax. The launch pad for all of this is a case involving Town Fair Tire Centers. And that case has reached the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial ...

The thing that amuses me the most out of this situation (and there are lots of amusing/irritating aspects to focus on) is that Massachusetts is basing its right to collect taxes on the tires purchased in NH on the fact that they will be used in Massachusetts (by the Massachusetts residents who purchased them).

Though I live in New Hampshire, I USE my tires primarily in Massachusetts since I work about thirty miles across the state line. Do I owe Massachusetts sales tax on MY tires?

Then again, I get to pay Massachusetts income tax because I earn my income in Massachusetts. A fact which I have adjusted to since I should pay something to 'enjoy' the services of the great state of Massachusetts while I work there (such as road maintenance, snow plowing, fire and safety services, etc.)

I usually buy my gas in Massachusetts since it's more convenient to do so, even though it is a little pricier than the station half a mile from my house (in the wrong direction for my commute). Considering the trend in Taxachusetts, I think I will stop buying gas (and a lot of other items) down there.

Gosh, I am REALLY starting to sound like a native skin-flint Yankee.

All hail the King!

Our younger cat, Boose, is very routine driven. Every morning as the three of us go through our morning shower routines, he loves to join us in the bathroom. There is something about the warm humid environment that he relishes. Whoever goes into the bathroom first puts the toilet seat down for him. He either enters the room and jumps up on his throne, or is placed there by one of his loyal subjects.

Taxachusetts needs to be stopped

Everyone is hurting including state and local governments. I get it. However, Massachusetts is going too far in their quest to dig up additional revenue.

Town Fair Tire is a CONNECTICUTT based company which operates in several New England states. Massachusetts is trying to make Town Fair Tire Centers collect MASSACHUSETTS state sales tax from Massachusetts residents who buy tires outside of Massachusetts.


Short version of the story

Longer version of the story

Town Fair Tire has a pretty good case. Massachusetts' order violates Federal Interstate Commerce code. I am surprised that New Hampshire is not jumping in on this suit (then again NH would have to be willing to spend a nickel to get involved).

Should Massachusetts win its ploy with Town Fair Tire, every state could force businesses to ascertain the legal residence of its customers in order to charge those customers appropriate home sales tax, in ADDITION to any local sales tax being charged.

Scenario: You live in Maryland. You drive into Philadelphia for the weekend. You notice a great deal on a stereo in a department store while there. The clerk at the counter is required to see your driver's license (or other valid photo ID) so they can collect both the Pennsylvania sales tax and the Maryland sales tax. So ... how likely are you to 'shop' while traveling?

In addition, do we really want to have to show identification every time we make a purchase? Do you smell Big Brother? I certainly do.

I will be following this case closely. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Finally, a new refridgerator

A few weeks ago I blogged about our dying fridge. Well, it came back to life for a bit. So, of course, we tried to pretend it would be alright. We knew better, but we just weren't willing to face the hassle.

We've kept the amount of food in the freezer down pretty low (no more than would fit in our large cooler). Then, Goblin got laid off. The Fates being the cruel witches that they are decided we needed to get a good taste of their whimsy. We woke up on Sunday morning to another large puddle in front of the freezer after all the ice in the ice maker had melted.

Goblin went to Sears today to check out their offerings. This evening we went to a local store, Fletchers Appliances. We found a large Fridgedaire floor model, without an ice maker, at a tolerable price ($600). And, since Goblin isn't working it's no problem for him to be home tomorrow afternoon when they deliver it. Plus, he'll have time to empty out the old one before they get her.

I'm all about looking on the bright side right now.

How old is too young to die?

We received the shocking news this morning that a friend from church had passed away a few days ago. He was only 62. His death was supposedly quick and painless, so it was probably a stroke or heart attack in his sleep.

My husband just spoke with Mike a week ago. He was his normal ruddy and jovial self at the time.

Even in my 20's and 30's I would have thought that 62 was an early death. Now that I'm in my late 40's I REALLY think it is.

The picture of Mike on the memorial site is relatively current. I didn't even know he was in his 60's. He was so vibrant and healthful, I always assumed he was in his early 50's.

I refuse to change my way of thinking. I will continue to be stunned by the deaths of friends and loved ones, regardless of their age, especially if they seem vibrant and healthy.

My own mother passed away at the age of 67 a little over twelve years ago. That wasn't too shocking. She had been a lifelong smoker and died from a quickly metastasized lung cancer. It was difficult, but I had a few weeks to get used to the idea that she was going to die.

I'm not sure which is better for the survivors, a period of getting used to the idea with time to say goodbye, or a sudden loss. Similarly, for the dying is it better to get a chance to say goodbye or to live your life fully and healthily up to the last moment, with no warning.

I guess it's not important to consider, since we really have little control over when death occurs. I suppose it is best to live life to the fullest and let people know that you care about them. Sometimes Death sends you non-refundable tickets in advance, sometimes he just shows up with the limo. (Pardon the irreverence, it's just how I'm wired.)

To all my friends out there, know that you are in my thoughts more often than I could possibly let you know (without coming across as a weirdo stalker). *HUGS*