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Internet Freedom Initiative

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  1. tibby99 tibby99 is offline

    Posts: 199
    Joined: May 05

    Jun 6th, 2006 (6/6/2006 12:13am)

    In Washington State there is an initiative process for putting laws on the books without government approval. The State Of Washington hates the initiative process.

    ITS TIME FOR A STATE INTERNET FREEDOM ACT

    This initiative would mandate the state to put to a popular vote ( imagine that letting the people vote ) any tax, or any law that would restrict the availability of the Internet to state residents. The law would exclude child pornography which is already illegal but would specifically repeal the ban on online gambling.

    There would have to be a majority vote to tax the internet ( which the state so desparately wants to do ) or restrict things like online music or have a state approved internet website list ( don't laugh state government is filled with people who only want you to visit web sites the state deems as OK ).

    If we do not do this you can expect a tax on internet usage and increased control; in essence a state approved internet for washingont residents that is differnent then the normal internet.

    Who wants to help get this initiative off the ground - I think it would pass not because there is sympathy for online gambling but that the residents know of the increasing desire to pass an excise tax on the internet that the state would love to have.

    -------------------------------------------------
    For example a couple of years ago there was an initiative to limit the vehicle excise tax to $30 per year. Vehicle license fees had reached the levels where even soccer moms in mini-vans where paying 700 to 1K a year in license fees. This tax was out of control and the state turned a deaf ear to the public over and over again.

    The politicians screamed bloody murder when it passed - they hated the fact that people had taken matters into their own hands insted of trusting the state government to wisely govern. They claimed the state would be bankrupt and there would be no more police or fire services. They painted an alarmist picture of anarchy if the initiative passed. None of the horor stories form the state manifested when the initiative was overwhelmingly passed by state residents over the hollering of the legislature and governor about how evil the initiative process was.
  2. BigTex BigTex is offline

    Posts: 20
    Joined: Jul 05

    Jun 7th, 2006 (6/7/2006 4:54am) in reply to tibby99

    I think this is an excellent idea. We need an attorney here in state to give us some guidance on the words. And we'll need volunteers to help us put it together, and some folks that wish to fund our efforts. Anybody out there want to help?
  3. Dolphan1385 Dolphan1385 is offline

    Posts: 3
    Joined: Jul 05

    Jun 8th, 2006 (6/8/2006 12:35am) in reply to BigTex

    I would be happy to volunteer. I know I could collect some signatures if nothing else. This is ridiculous. I have never felt unfree as an American, until now. I have never broken any laws and now I am in danger of being a felon because of my hobby.
  4. BigTex BigTex is offline

    Posts: 20
    Joined: Jul 05

    Jun 9th, 2006 (6/9/2006 4:36am) in reply to Dolphan1385

    I'm ready to help too. We have to keep building this thread so that we have some critical mass of names... enough people to get this rolling.

    There's a LOT more Washington State PocketFivers out there.... c'mon folks.
  5. Lenny Lenny is offline lail henny!

    Nashville, TN
    United States

    Posts: 8,790
    Joined: Nov 05

    Jun 9th, 2006 (6/9/2006 4:46am) in reply to tibby99

    Very nice, if I were in Washington State I'd be up in arms! I live in Tennessee and I am outraged.

    We are definitely paying attention to these developments and look for some big moves over the next week for Pocketfivers to take action on this issue (on a National leve) and anything we can do to help our friends in Wash. State, let us know!
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