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Politech is the oldest Internet resource devoted to politics and technology. Launched in 1994 by Declan McCullagh, the mailing list has chronicled the growing intersection of culture, technology, politics, and law. Since 2000, so has the Politech web site.
http://news.com.com/2010-1071-960048.html?tag=politech Hands off of Net shopping By Declan McCullagh September 30, 2002, 6:45 AM PT WASHINGTON--Americans shopping on the Internet have an unlikely friend who is beginning to fight for lower prices on their behalf: Uncle Sam. It's easy to beat up on the federal government, and many criticisms are justified. But occasionally, once every few decades or so, the federal government does something worthwhile. And striving toward cheaper products and more efficient online markets is entirely praiseworthy. In this case, the federal government is fighting against tax-happy state legislators. The latter are becoming increasingly worried about their residents buying cheaper products over the Internet--and not paying state sales taxes or funneling purchases through local campaign-contributing businesses. Prohibitions vary, but products that can't be legally purchased online in some states include cars, fine wine, funeral caskets--and even contact lenses. Such prohibitions are just nuts. Local businesses should not have the right to prohibit customers from shopping online for better deals. Protectionist state politicos shouldn't interfere with the natural evolution of the free market, which brings additional choices, lower prices and far more competition. [...] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Like Politech? Make a donation here: http://www.politechbot.com/donate/ Recent CNET News.com articles: http://news.search.com/search?q=declan -------------------------------------------------------------------------