The business of Congress is serious- and, certainly, the talk of tariffs and taxes are of the utmost importance, but I have to admit the e-mail alert I got today announcing Congresswoman Nancy Boyda's support of Affordable Footwear Act of 2007 (H.R. 3934) made me chuckle.
The release, from the American Apparel & Footwear Association, thanks Congresswoman Boyda and two of her colleagues, Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Kevin Brady (R-TX), for introducing legislation to "eliminates the import tariffs, collectively known as the shoe tax, on all lower- to moderately-priced footwear as well as all children’s shoes, or about 60 percent of all shoes sold in the United States."
The "shoe tax" was originally applied to protect domestic shoemakers, but, according to the AAFA, now 99% of all footwear sold in the United States is imported.
"The regressive shoe tax on footwear imports is highest – as much as 67 percent – on the least expensive shoes. The cost is necessarily passed on to consumers at the cash register as a hidden, regressive shoe tax that can be nearly 40 percent of the price of a pair of shoes. That extra 40 percent can add up quickly for a family."
Commonsense tax relief for low income Americans tied with the elimination of a useless tax- good job, Nancy!
13 comments:
Both Ryun and Jenkins are anti-shoe. However, the majority of 2nd district voters are quite pro-shoe. I'm glad to see that Boyda has the courage to stand up for the pro-shoe cause. I've also heard that Boyda has become somewhat of a hero in the purse/handbag industry.
Does anybody know where Boyda stands on suspenders? I'm opposed to suspenders, so I can only support Boyda if she takes a strong anti-suspender position.
that was a wonderful comment- i actually did laugh out loud!
This is a Payless issue. While it's good that Boyda wants to support local business, had she done her research she would've found that it frees up capital money for Payless to move even more of their jobs out of Topeka to their new distribution center in California.
Way to give away good paying UNION (the workers in the Topeka distribution center are Teamsters)jobs to another state. Boyda is a real champion of the people.
In response to the Boyda announcement, the right-wing "National Family Footwear Association (NFFA)" has issued an endorsement of Jim Ryun.
The NFFA is the pro-family, free-market counterpart to the American Apparel & Footweat Assoc (AAFA).
The NFFA represents those traditional family shoe cobblers who object to the AAFA's liberalism. They praise Jim Ryun's continued support for faith-based footwear policies and shoe tax-credits for homeschoolers.
The Affordable Footwear Act of 2007 needs to be amended to exclude those shoe companies that have health care plans that cover family planning services and extend benefits to domestic partners.
Be ashamed, Boyda! This is just another kickback to the abortion industy that undermines the sacred union of marriage between one man and one woman.
Here's her quandry. She can't stand up to BIG SHOE without good shoes. But she can't afford good shoes, without caving to BIG SHOE.
Why does Nancy Boyda think that George Tiller shouldn't have to pay taxes on his moderately-priced footwear purchases?
This stinks. I think something corrupt is happening here. I recommend that Phill Kline convene a grand jury to look into this matter.
gosh, i have some wonderfully creative readers....
Nancy Boyda and the BIG SHOE oligarchs are destroying this country.
Lynn Jenkins gets her shoes at the county fair. They're pink and yellow with lots of bows, and they're handmade by Kansas 4H kids.
Jim Ryun buys his shoes (running shoes, of course) at Fellowship of Christian Athlete events. A portion of the proceeds goes to finance intelligent design advocacy.
Sam Brownback buys shoes that are dipped in holy water and crafted by cloistered nuns. Opus Dei determines when and where he can buy shoes.
Does the bill require these companies to lower their prices on these shoes once this tax is removed?
Not on your life ...... the money will go into the pockets of shareholders NOT low income Americans.
This bill is such a farce, it doesn't help anyone but the shoe company.
....supply side economics should mean absolutely the price will go down...
That is a good one ..... it will not lower the price of shoes to consumers ..... if you believe that I have a Chinese shoe factory I'll sell you
And if you buy it ..... I am sure Hillary Clinton wil be visiting to hit up your employees for campaign contributions. I know that would be illegal but since when has illegal campaign contributions from the Chinese stopped the Clinton's.
This Bill will weaken our position to implement trade agreements with other countries (if our products are duty free why negotiate) and will only make the importers more money. If you think they will pass the savings to the consumers you are living in a fantasy world. Again benefiting the especial interest groups.
Ways to go Boyda
Post a Comment