Update: White House Halts ‘Grinch’ Christmas Tree Tax…For Now
- Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:09pm by
Liz Klimas
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Less than a day after the Obama administration announced a 15-cent tax on fresh Christmas trees to help “improve the image and marketing,” pulled back due to redicule.
Fox News reports Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., as one of many against the tax calling it a “Grinch”-like move. Fox has more:
White House spokesman Matt Lehrich told Fox News Wednesday afternoon that the administration is putting a stop to the proposal.
“I can tell you unequivocally that the Obama administration is not taxing Christmas trees. What’s being talked about here is an industry group deciding to impose fees on itself to fund a promotional campaign, similar to how the dairy producers have created the ‘Got Milk?’ campaign,” he said. “That said, USDA is going to delay implementation and revisit this action.”
[...]
Heritage Foundation Vice President David Addington, who first reported on the rule on his blog Tuesday evening, said there were two problems with the new fee. First, he said it’s likely the 15-cent fee would be passed on to consumers. Second, he said it’s inappropriate for the government to be putting its “thumb on the scale,” helping out the fresh-tree sellers and not the artificial-tree sellers.
“If it’s one thing I think the free market could handle, it’s letting people decide what kind of tree they want to buy for Christmas,” Addington told FoxNews.com.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture was set to begin the implementing this tax program today, with proceeds going to ” an industry-funded promotion, research, and information program for fresh cut Christmas trees,” according to the Federal Register. Under the order, those who sold fresh Christmas trees would have paid the initial tax.
Wonder if someone’s heart grew three sizes today.
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Comments (105)
garyM
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:45pmNot only is he a dictator, but a wishy-washy one!
Report Post »Heffe44
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:12pmDid you even read the artical? it was a tax they were imposing on themselves to fund a marketing campaign. You consistently say some the stupidest thing on The Blaze (and that’s saying something). Lemming.
Report Post »Bekrhed
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:46pmAccording to the National Christmas Tree Association there is no tax,
just an industry regulated fee used for marketing.
In other words it will help pay for a marketing campaign.
The only role the government has is one of oversight.
The fifteen cent fee goes to the private sector, not the government.
Uncle Sam doesn’t see a dime.
But hey, don’t let that spoil your fun…
OBAMA’S A MUSLIM…HE HATES CHRISTMAS AND CHRISTIANS …BLAH BLAH BLAH.
Oh and by the way, you morons do realize that the christmas tree
Report Post »(aka the Yule tree) was/is a pagan symbol…used by pagans…right?
Bekrhed
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:49pmPS:
This tax has been in “the works” since 2008…so it turns out it’s Dubya who hates Christmas.
What a bunch of Reactionaries.
Report Post »ninja
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 7:39pmA pagan festival turned into a celebration of the birth of Christ………how cool is that?!!! God rocks!!!!!
Report Post »Greenwood
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:17pm@HEFFE44……………The U.S. Department of Agriculture was set to begin the implementing this tax program today.
Report Post »Did you even read the artical?
Greenwood
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:45pm@NINJA……….A pagan festival turned into a celebration of the birth of Christ………how cool is that?!!! God rocks!!!!!
Report Post »Do origins matter ?
Paul wrote: “Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord” Ephesians 5: 10
“Touch nothing unclean” – Isaiah 52:11
So is it acceptable to God to celebrate any holiday that has it’s roots in pagan worship ?
ninja
Posted on November 10, 2011 at 9:26amJesus “hijacked” many common “pagan” phrases of his day.
Let us not forget that Paul also said “nothing is unclean of itself”
The meaning of scripture ( as a whole) is clear that anything good done out of love for God & mankind is right and proper & Godly…….no matter what day it is.
That a pagan celebration would be transformed into a thing of praise to God is only fitting ( God always wins in the end)
I’m sure the Pharisees would cringe at the thought of families gathering, interacting, loving & helping each other as well as strangers & the needy( pagans included!!) , all the while giving praise to God for the birth of our Savior on a day that might have been a pagan holiday. Maybe you do , too.I dont. I highly doubt God does.
Report Post »Greenwood
Posted on November 10, 2011 at 9:26pm@NINJA ..Keep on making sure …………….
Report Post »2 Corinthians 6: 14 – 16 Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Be’lial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever?
Greenwood
Posted on November 10, 2011 at 9:38pm@NINJA….”Jesus “hijacked” many common “pagan” phrases of his day. ”
Really? “hijacked” can you give an example………..
Report Post »Onesimus
Posted on December 22, 2011 at 6:26pmI wonder if that would come under “strange fire before the Lord”?
Report Post »dnewton
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:43pmI have heard that there are other taxes or fees like this to promote agricultural products. This is nothing but advertising like the “Got Milk?” commercial. My uncle grows Christmas trees but is not a big enough operation (hobby) to pay the tax. This is governmental mission creep. No one has enough time to monitor what the government is doing even if you watched CSPAN all day long. The idea that this tax will not add to the cost of the tree is nuts. It is not the cost of the tree that is at risk, it is the cost of government. I don’t think I need to watch any more commercials or see signs along the road.
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:41pmevita obama TAX n speech SOCIALIST wants to TAX christmas trees.. HELLO SALES TAX ON THEM ALREADY stupis ass. I swear here the DAMN SOCIALIST desires to KILL off any hope of REVENUE or A christmas for families but KILLING JOBS. now hes back tracked n say NO tax.. why?? CAUSE HE IS INEPT of running america n its a ELECTION year big news evita obama TAX n speech YOU LOSE NEXT YEAR 2012 yes DOOMS DAY for YOU n ALL your cronies your false gods soros n allah will LOSE as well.. you have apologized for america WHAT president EVER did that?? YOU caused a DOWN GRADE for th first time in US history .. YOU GAVE trillion to your CRONIES companies n they BAILED on you YOU FAILED in OS many ways its pathetic. you SUCK.. NEVER again will we elect one like you EVER. you want SOCIALISM MOVE TO THE USSR. you are a WASTE period…. FIRE OBAMA NOW save a tree n the usa
Report Post »Starla
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:39pmHonestly, has any administration (prior to THIS one) ever directed a tax at on religion or that one religion’s holiday? See any menorah taxes, or Ramadan prayer rug taxes??? How about Kwanza??? Ummmm….noperz! But let’s not forget that it was this SAME President who dissed the National Day of Prayer, yet observed Ramadan. ‘Nuff said!
Report Post »vehoae
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:27pmWith each passing day, it becomes depressingly clearer that the man in the Oval Office and all those associated with him really don’t have any core values. At least, none that I’m famliar with.
Lord, come quickly.
Report Post »riverdog1
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:38pmi was proposed by the christmas tree growers for increasing sales you idiots!
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:39pmWow…we are about to enter Great Depression 2.0…
…and the best that Obozo can do is mandate a passed-on to the ‘Christians’ a 15 cent surcharge for a Christmas Tree?
So when does the 15 cent candle surcharge come in? Maybe that can also go to offset the 4 Trillion he already blew, since being in OUR office of the Prez.
Report Post »rocker98
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:18pmriverdog1
“i was proposed by the christmas tree growers for increasing sales you idiots!”
Idiots? Really? So you think it’s OK if your business doing poorly to ask the Government to impose a TAX on your sales so they (the Government gets the money) can give you an excellent ad campaign. You would do this?
IDIOT!
Report Post »nowhereman
Posted on November 10, 2011 at 1:52pmThis was proposed by the Tree Growers three years ago during the Bush administration. Its all due to lagging sales by people buying more artificial trees. The growers thought if they could have a campaign like “got milk” or something like that they could improve sales of fresh trees. The the self imposed 15 cent a tree would go to fund that. I don’t see a problem. Their not asking for money from the government. Their just trying to compete in the land of free enterprise.
Report Post »PenaF
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:10pmI am surprised Big Government hasn’t banned harvest of this trees yet!
Report Post »scrapadapolis
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:07pmCut ur own or have a fake..******** Obama we will always find a way around you !!!
Report Post »Owt_Raged
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:05pmHere’s a news flash DC! The USDA is the government! I found it highly suspect that the government was going to impose fees to improve the image of a holiday they have been trying to wipe out in the US because it’s “religious”.
Tell me 50% or so, how did you connect Santa to the bible?
Those of us who celebrate the true meaning of the holiday, don’t need a tree to do it.
Report Post »mrmikejohnson
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:04pmIn the communist dictatorship that is the Obama presidency, you can expect them to go after the Drudge Report in some way. Anyone who speaks out against the central plan must be silenced.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:02pmOnly scum like the obama administration would come up with a tax on Christmas.
Report Post »simplygilly
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:02pmAw gee, I was looking forward to getting one of those million xmastree tax/monitor jobs.
Report Post »Mike N
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:01pmI hadn’t heard of this proposed tax until just now . . . what a bunch of dolts! Another friggin’ pipeline to offset their incompetence. Forget more revenue you beltway buffoons, just cut back on the stupid spending.
Report Post »jakartaman
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:58pmIT would have been a Tax on Christians
Report Post »Of course it would not bother our Muslim President – other than its close to election!!
encinom
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:07pmIt was a tax, requested by the Tree industry to set up a board similar to the Beef or Diary boards (the “tax” in simlar to the $1 surcharge per head of cattle to fund the Beef Association) to promote the industry and set standards. This surcharge of $0.15 per tree funded the board without tapping into tax dollars or adding to the debt. The Fringe Tea PArty and Conservatives’ out cry helped to kill a policy set up to help the industry.
Report Post »Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:40pm@ENCINOM This is a symptom of what is wrong with this country. Too many people feel entitled to demand that government provide them with funds out of the pockets of the public. As a result Washington grows bigger and bigger and thinks it should be involved in absolutely every aspect of life. This is not what our founders intended, nor do I think most Americans want it that way. If tree growers feel they need to promote their trees then they can contribute to the board from their own pockets. No need for Washington to be involved.
Report Post »TheBMT
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:00pmTo tax to create a private national board is big govt. There is nothing stopping tree farmers all coming together and creating their own national board with their own members without ANY govt influence at all. Somebody just wanted to have the power and the force of the govt to create a job for themselves.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:19pmTheBMT
Report Post »Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:00pm
To tax to create a private national board is big govt. There is nothing stopping tree farmers all coming together and creating their own national board with their own members without ANY govt influence at all. Somebody just wanted to have the power and the force of the govt to create a job for themselves.
____________________________________________
The Tree growers asked for it. This is how the Tree Growers were coming together to form a national board. Facts mean nothing to beckerheads.
Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:58pmIt was a small tax but that hardly matters. Its government levying a fee by fiat and distributing the money to someone they see as more deserving. If Washington ever enacts that tax I hope millions of Conservatives buy artificial trees and tell the government what they can do with their 15 cents.
Report Post »riverdog1
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:40pmread encinoms piece above and maybe you might learn something instead of being a glenn beck stooge.
Report Post »TheBMT
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:01pmwhat happens then is you hurt the live tree growers that exist who did nothing other then grow their trees.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:20pm@TheBMT
What part of “the tree growers requested this” don’t you understand?
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:37pmWhy don’t the tree growers pay for whatever the money is going for?
Report Post »encinom
Posted on November 10, 2011 at 12:03am@13th Idiot,
Report Post »The Tree Producers were going to pay the surcharge, like the Milk and Beef Producers pay for their respective boards. Basically, what happended is that the brain washed Beckerheads and Fox viewers are so programmed to hate Obama they killed a program that would have helped a industry.
MidWestMom
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:55pmWell darn….cancels the Occupy Christmas Tree Farms protests
Report Post »Founding Father2
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:53pm*** BREAKING NEWS ****
Did you see it, Rand Paul was on Hannity today and broke news that the Dems of the Supercommittee have now left the table. they are out of there and will not discuss any changes to their plan: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2011/nov/dems_walk_supercommittee.html
Report Post »phillipwgirard
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:51pmjust saw it, thank you
Report Post »rpp
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:53pmI guess by calling it a “fee” they can bypass Congress as the Constitution clearly says that only Congress can impose taxes. They will implement this later when they come up with something else to distract people and at a time of year (e.g. June or July) when people are not paying attention anyway.
Report Post »OneofMany
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:49pmhttp://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24&version=NIV …like the Crystal Gail song goes…” People get ready…..Jesus is coming….Soon we’ll be going home….”
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:45pmI know that the christmas trees is of pagan origins and Christ was not born on Dec 25. (See Jeremiah Chapter 10 on cutting a tree and bringing it to your house and decking a tree with gold and silver). This tax seems to target Christians as taxing tanning beds targeted white people.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:16pmAre you going to argue that there should be no tax on holiday decorations? The Tree is not religious and if anything counter to the bible. The fee was request by the industry to fund a board to help promote the industry and live trees over artificle. This is a now issue that Tea Partiers are foaming at the mouth about.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:45pmArtificle?? A R T I F I C L E ?? And you call us idiots?
Report Post »encinom
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:54pmYes, every Becker head here protesting a fee that would be paid by the industry is an idiot.
Report Post »Nolooters
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:43pmI keep typing something, then erasing it. I have concluded that I don’t have enough words to adequately describe how stupid our government officials are. They are either completely out of touch or purposely fueling the headlines with the dumbest decisions in the world. Beck always says “watch the other hand” We need to watch the other hand! Maybe he is trying to take the focus off the open mic debacle??
Report Post »YOUR NOT GETTING MY GUNS
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:43pm“revisit this action” right after they see who wins in 2012.
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:38pmOn one hand government officials are trying to wipe Christmas out of the public square and now the administration wants to tax fresh Christmas trees to promote the image of Chrismas trees. The world gets more bizarre every day.
Report Post »Linda
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:33pmThis means there are no taxes because Mr. Obama doesn’t believe in the Christmas Tree. He calls them HOLIDAY trees. Therefore whoever buys a “christmas tree” should not be taxed!!!!!
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:46pmThis Live Christmas Tree TAX, was supposedly going to the Tree Industry, It was a TAX to punish Christians. Just like any TAXES that go to that Sucking Hole, Washington, DC, They, The DC Lawyers would siphon off 50 percent to build up Barry’s “Screw America Four More Years Reelection Tour” and little would make it back to where they stole the money from.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:19pmThe $0.15 cents the industry was going to pay per tree is a real punishment. YOu guys are plain nuts. The industry asked for a board to be set-up and it was going to be funded by the industry. Idiots.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 7:10pm15cents per tree from everyone who buys one only to have the money do what exactly is the point ENAMA!
Are we not taxed enough and where is the representation for the citizens to say no to the tax except through the media today?
Report Post »encinom
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 8:09pmIdiots, the tax was going to be levied against the tree growers, as they requested. The problem in that you damn tea partiers are too stupid to think for yourselves and need Beck, Rush and Fox to think for you.
Report Post »NN047799
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:27pmyou have got to watch this guy’s video on You Tube. He’s got the right idea!
Report Post »http://youtu.be/9zYh0RsCXys
disenlightened
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:26pmOnly a Muslim would come up with this idea. They’d create a whole nation of dhimmis paying the jizyah in the form of a Christmas tree tax.
Report Post »1proud_Texan
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:34pmI’m glad they changed their mind. I was feeling disenfranchised as a Christian. (sarc)
Report Post »