Pinboard Links

Flap’s Links and Comments for March 10th on 14:55

These are my links for March 10th from 14:55 to 15:21:

  • The Amazon Tax: Repeated attempts to boost sales tax collections hurt California’s economy, cost jobs – They’re at it again.
    Lawmakers in California, in a desperate attempt to generate revenues are again seeking to force out-of-state retailers to collect taxes for online purchases made by California shoppers. If they are successful in passing this legislation, not only will they fail to raise even one more nickel in tax revenue, they will cost the state thousands of jobs.
    It’s a bit complicated, but allow me to explain: California has a cutting edge industry of Internet entrepreneurs called “affiliates.” You’ve seen “affiliates” while surfing the web: blogs and Websites that provide “click through” ads to online retailers. If you click through and make a purchase, the affiliate gets a small percentage in payment from the retailer.
    According to the Performance Marketing Association, there are nearly 25,000 California-based affiliate businesses that provide information to California consumers and improve the ease and thrift of their shopping experience online or with remote retailers and their catalogs.
    One example of a successful California affiliate is Ebates, a company based in San Francisco. Without affiliate relationships, Internet entrepreneurs like Ebates will face a painful choice: Cut jobs to keep costs in line with reduced revenue or move out of California to more welcoming states. Either way, California will lose jobs and taxes.
    Affiliates like Ebates can conduct business from any state in the country, but they are choosing to make California home. Likewise, online retailers choose to market their products through affiliates like Ebates because they help make the shopping experience for their customers easier.

    =======

    Read it all.

  • Untitled (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-turn/2011/03/presidential_candidates_staffi.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter) – President 2012: Presidential candidates staffing up in Iowa
  • So unfav: Palin’s poll plunge – Andy Barr – POLITICO.com – So unfav? Sarah Palin's poll plunge – Bloomberg Poll is Crap
  • YouTube
    – sara evans headliner 2
    – I liked a YouTube video — sara evans headliner 2