Much has been written about the Colorado state legislature’s ‘dirty dozen’ tax bills that were signed into law in recent weeks.  HB 10-1193 has proven to be the most contentious, particularly after the bill forced Amazon to pull the plug on its affiliate program in Colorado. 

Democrats of course are aghast at the thought that their progressive and harmful tax policies would cause a business to do such a thing.  As always, they fail to understand that actions have consequences and if you aren’t prepared to face them, you better not do the deed. 

Top among those crying is John Morse, Colorado State Senate Majority Leader from Senate District 11 in Colorado Springs.  Morse released a rambling ‘rant’ on YouTube that takes on Amazon for daring to protect its interests (watch the video below).

The Democratic senator says he has “not seen such tyranny, such egregiousness, such retaliation.”  He is apparently shocked to find out that his and his colleagues’ actions had consequences.  Holding his Amazon Kindle, Morse says he has been a ‘great customer’ of Amazon and describes the company’s moves as ‘unconscionable.’

The action then carries over to the comments section of the YouTube video.  Morse continued the battle saying of Amazon that “they engage in immoral, unethical, reprehensible behavior.” 

He further takes to attacking Colorado taxpayers saying that those that don’t pay tax on their online purchases are evading their obligations.  “Why should we permit people to evade paying their taxes when the rest of us pay? Why do I have to pay tax at the shops on main street while you evade the tax that you legally owe in cyberspace?” he says.

Two days ago I left a comment on the video issuing a challenge to Senator Morse but he has failed to respond so I re-issue it here – hopefully he will take action. 

Morse says he is “probably one of their best customers” which of course leads one to believe that he has spent a good bit of money with Amazon.  He also claims he pays the use tax when he buys online (i.e. “the rest of us pay”). 

I therefore challenge Senator Morse to post his state income tax returns showing where he has paid the use tax on his past online purchases.

Certainly since he feels so strongly about it and accuses others of evading taxes, he has performed his moral and civic duty by paying his fair share to the state on his own purchases.  To have not done so would of course make the senator’s actions and accusations ‘immoral,’ ‘unethical’ and ‘unconscionable’ – just like those of Amazon and his constituents. 

Just to ensure this isn’t the first year he has paid, I ask the senator to please be sure to post returns from years prior to 2009 otherwise folks will say he only paid them recently because of this legislation.  I am confident that the good senator will be anxious to show that he is entirely above-board when he demands his fellow Coloradoans and Amazon assume the burden this measure puts on them.

If you believe Senator Morse should take this challenge and prove that he has a leg to stand on, contact him at john.morse.senate@state.co.us or 303-866-6364. 

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