Schwarzenegger proposes approx. 10% tax on "golf services" in California

[flanagan]

The economic assumption is, as with gas, cigarettes, etc., that the loss in revenue from any consumers who buy less "golf" will be offset by the gain in revenue from "golf" at higher prices. If the demand for "golf" is more elastic than Arnold thinks it is (if that's been considered) it will fail as a revenue-raising proposal. Presumably someone has studied this, or now will. Hard to believe the way trends have shown for private clubs and rounds played in general the last couple of years that this would prove to be a good tax strategy (not even considering the PR aspect).

That being said, this is too political for golf talk, so I'm begging off any further comment on this one --- don't want to get carried away.

[Shindig]

Nice try, but your previous post was whining about the Republicans, blaming this on the Republicans and threatening to register Democrat over something that the Democrats would have to pass. The Republican members in the Senate and Assembly are not the problem (unless they are out there supporting this, then go get 'em). You think Arnold will veto his own bill? Please. Your blaming this on the California Republicans is silly.

Let's compare your claim to what I said:

Between them and some things the national GOP has done this year, I seriously think there's a major effort within the GOP to get me to re-register as a Democrat.

What's an honest interpretation of what I said? It's that if I'm going to get behavior like this out of the Republicans, I might as well vote for the "real thing."

A Republican governor proposes a bill that other Republicans can stop and will likely choose not to stop. Just because the Democrats are doing the dirty work doesn't make it a Democrat bill.

[HytrewQasdfg]

+1

The classic example is the boat luxury tax enacted during the first year of the Clinton administration. It cause boat sales to drop 93%, nearly killed the boating industry, and put over 19,000 people out of work (link:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...20/ai_11184186 ). Now California is trying the same thing with golf. Do people have no memory? Do they not learn from experience?

[PEZGolf]

Unbelieveable.....

Let's throw the politicians in first!

[flanagan]

Let's compare your claim to what I said:

I've already provided not an interpretation, but a criticism of exactly what you did say in your entire post, including the one sentence you now focus on. Read your own newspapers. Republicans have been fighting against any new taxes for months, only now are some, because of the budget crisis (in part due to the policies of Davis - which got Arnold elected - whom now you claim irrationally to pine for) talking compromise. The base is mobilizing against for the upcoming convention. Read, learn.

[PEZGolf]

he probably doesn't golf or is a horrible golfer

You are undoubtedly correct. Most people who have been weight lifters do not make good golfers because of the flexibility the game requires. He probably hates golfers since they can play the game for a lifetime, and he cannot play it at all. In other words, he is jealous!

[Ben]

No golf tax for California. Little blurb from SCPGA.com (Southern Ca. PGA)

http://southerncal.pga.com/index.cfm...openitem=3549#

[uttexas]

I have very little sympathy for California. That state was flush with cash from high property taxes on homes five times their worth up until three years ago. They wasted it all on pet projects and new office furniture. California sucks up natural resources at an alarming rate

Did you know that a subway system was built below LA. It was fully operational, then bought out by Firestone, GM, and other multinationals. Some critical parts of the track were filled with concrete. California also killed the electric car via GM in the late '90s.

http://houstonwade.com/blog/?s=los+angeles+subway

Is the LA subway system filled with concrete urban myth? or true?

[Ben]

Urban myth. I've used it a handful of times in the past months.

[HytrewQasdfg]

Is the LA subway system filled with concrete urban myth? or true?

Given that LA is in an earthquake zone, I don't think subways would be such a good idea.

There is a river running under the Atlanta airport. Not a myth, actually true.

[zeg]

Yeah, too many earthquakes... that's why Tokyo doesn't have a subway... oh wait!

LA is not laid out well for public transit, and there's enormous resistance within the population to actually use it. It's a catch-22 of sorts-- until the transit system is large and reliable enough, relatively few people will use it. Until people are using it, it'll be perceived as a waste of resources...

[uttexas]

Looks like LAs metro system is pretty good
http://www.westworld.com/~elson/larail/red.html

and
http://www.metro.net/default.asp

and
http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/default.htm

and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Ang...nty_Metro_Rail

[Ben]

I've had experience with Tokyo's public transportation and L.A.'s. Both are nothing like the other. In Tokyo if you miss a train, another will be by within minutes. In L.A., you're waiting at least 10-15. My friends just moved downtown near Staples Center, and I'm pretty close to a Metro station. But, It takes me the same amount of time to drive as it does waiting for transfers. But, I do enjoy riding the trains. A good way to get out and be with people.

[Pat007]

if this tax gets implemented, it will assure : "I won't be back..." (Arnold voice).

[Shindig]

if this tax gets implemented, it will assure : "I won't be back..." (Arnold voice).

Well, since he's term limited, he won't be back. But you may or may not be glad to know that this didn't pass.