4.0602 Misc: MacConcordance; Bibliography & Warts; Taxes (3/133)
Elaine Brennan & Allen Renear (EDITORS@BROWNVM.BITNET)
Wed, 17 Oct 90 22:12:11 EDT
Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 4, No. 0602. Wednesday, 17 Oct 1990.
(1) Date: Mon, 15 Oct 90 22:50:52 EDT (10 lines)
From: Stephen Clausing <SCLAUS@YALEVM>
Subject: MacConcordance
(2) Date: Tue, 16 Oct 90 09:08:58 EDT (17 lines)
From: Sarah Horton <HORTON@YALEVM>
Subject: Re: 4.0574
(3) Date: Tue, 16 Oct 90 09:51:13 -0700 (106 lines)
From: ruhleder@cray1.ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: taxing computers as luxuries
(1) --------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 90 22:50:52 EDT
From: Stephen Clausing <SCLAUS@YALEVM>
Subject: MacConcordance
I just sent copies of my MacConcordance program to everyone who had
requested it from me. If I missed anybody, or if there is anyone else
who would like to beta test this, please write to me. When I know the
program is bug free, I will post it on the Humanist listserv. This is a
simple program and not without its shortcomings, but it can compile
concordances or indexes alphabetically or by word frequency.
(2) --------------------------------------------------------------22----
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 90 09:08:58 EDT
From: Sarah Horton <HORTON@YALEVM>
Subject: Re: 4.0574
Nicholas Morgan has requested a warty bibliography on computers in
teaching. I am compiling this bibliography to answer the question "Why
would I use a computer in the classroom?" or, in the best case, "How
would I use a computer in the classroom?" The third question, "Why am I
not using computers in the classroom?"--the one your warts defend--has
been pretty much covered. For that reason I requested texts in favor of
computers in teaching, for I will use these text expressly to encourage
that activity.
Your point that bibliographies should bear warts is well taken;
nonetheless, in this instance I really do need beauty marks.
Sarah Horton
(3) --------------------------------------------------------------132---
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 90 09:51:13 -0700
From: ruhleder@cray1.ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: taxing computers as luxuries
Subject: FWD: Luxury tax on computers likely
..........
BACKGROUND ON NEW COMPUTER LUXURY TAX
In Washington, members of the Bush Administration, the House of
Representatives and Senate have been meeting in a budget summit to
negotiate a bipartisan plan to reduce the deficit. They have been
considering various proposals to raise new taxes as part of package.
One item that should be of concern to the computing community is a
luxury tax on electronics products. While most of us in the computer
industry originally believed that the tax was aimed at high end TV's,
VCR's, Camcorders, and other consumer electronic entertainment
products, it appears that computers have been included as taxable
products.
HOW THE TAX WOULD WORK
The luxury tax is a 10% tax assessed on the value of the following
luxury items over the following threshholds:
Cars over $30,000
Furs over $500
Jewelry over $5,000
ELECTRONICS over $1,000
For example, if you purchase a personal computer that costs you $3,000,
you will have to pay a 10% luxury tax on the amount over $1,000.
Hence, in this example, you will pay $200 (10% of ($3,000-1,000)) in
addition to the sales tax when you purchase the computer at the
register.
APPLE'S POSITION
We at Apple Computer feel that extending this tax to cover personal
computers is preposterous. Computers increase the productivity of
workers, teachers and students. It is inappropriate to impose a
"luxury" tax on the tools which can boost American productivity. As a
nation, we must be prepared to manage our affairs in the Information
Age--an age in which computer equipment is not a luxury but a
necessity. Yet, the Congress and the Administration seem to be unable
to recognize the critical role computers now play in the lives of
millions of Americans.
In addition, the threshhold for computers is rediculously low. Only
high-end car models are over $30,000. Only a small percentage of
jewelry purchased is over $5,000. But for computers, $1,000 is the low
end of the market. Most computers sold exceed this amount. It makes
little sense to impose a luxury tax on a college student's investment
in a personal computer while exempting the purchase of a $5,000 Rolex
wrist watch.
GAME PLAN
If anybody is concerned about this proposal, telephone calls to
Congressional representatives and senators could be a critical help.
Interested persons should do the following:
- call their congressional representative's local office to
register their opposition to the proposed luxury tax on computers.
- ask their representative to voice their concerns to the
legislators who are negotiating in the budget summit.
- call members of the budget summit in Washington, D.C. to register
their opposition to the luxury tax:
Capitol Hill Senate: (202) 224-3121
Capitol Hill House: (202) 225-3121
White House: (202) 456-1414
PARTICIPANTS IN THE BUDGET SUMMIT
Rep. Tom Foley (D-WA)
Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO)
Rep. Leon Panetta (D-CA)
Rep. Robert Michel (R-IL)
Rep. Bill Frenzel (R-MN)
Rep. Bill Archer (R-TX)
Sen. George Mitchell (D-ME)
Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS)
Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX)
Sen. Bob Packwood (R-OR)
Sen. Jim Sasser (D-TN)
Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM)
Sen. Wyche Fowler, Jr. (D-GA)
Richard Darman (Director, Office of Management and Budget)
Nicholas Brady (Secretary of the Treasury)
John Sununu (White House Chief of Staff)
Roger Pounu (White House Chief oresident)
If people are interested in helping to beat back this proposal, time is
of the essence. It could be a matter of days, not weeks. A luxury tax
is very likely to be enacted. The question is whether or not it will
be extended to computers.
UUCP: crash!pro-sol!mdavis AOL, BIX: mdavis
ARPA: crash!pro-sol!mdavis@nosc.mil GEnie: m.davis42
INET: mdavis@pro-sol.cts.com ProLine: mdavis@pro-sol