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    benjaminalloverAllie Jones
    2/10/16 9:49am

    For tampons, it’s a small amount of money saved over a year, but it’s the fucking principle. For diapers? That is a significant cost for poor parents and it’s just silly that they’re taxed at all.

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      PoimanentlyPuckeredbenjaminallover
      2/10/16 10:36am

      Can’t afford to feed and clothe a baby? Have a baby anyway!!

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      benjaminalloverPoimanentlyPuckered
      2/10/16 10:44am

      Only the rich should be allowed to reproduce.

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    CatdogWhispererAllie Jones
    2/10/16 9:52am

    Fine but I say we eliminate taxes on things only men buy as well, like condoms, wine in a can, Tapout clothing, and rohypnol.

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      VtDkDudeCatdogWhisperer
      2/10/16 9:59am

      Wine in a can? Is that an actual thing?

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      CatdogWhispererVtDkDude
      2/10/16 10:01am

      Feast your eyes upon the Mancan!

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    CajodAllie Jones
    2/10/16 10:33am

    I’m a little torn on this issue. I think I agree with the end result but I completely disagree with the idea that ‘disposable sanitary napkins’ are a necessity, they are not. There other products which are far cheaper in the long run, but are just far less convenient, that assist with the sanitary disposal of a woman’s menses. Yes, it is 100% a necessity for women to address menstruation, but the disposable sanitary napkin itself is a modern convenience. Women have lived without them for billions of years and even today billions of women the world over use other methods to deal with their menstrual flow. Saying that the tax is unfair because these products are necessities just doesn’t work for me.

    Whether I would be in favor of dropping the taxes on these products ultimately comes down to the minutia of the local tax codes. How do they define necessary items? Low level pain killers aren’t really necessary either, how does the local tax code treat those? How should it?

    It is a difficult discussion to have and remain objective in regards to gender equality. There isn’t a comparable product only used by men to use as a comparison for discussion but I would argue that toilet paper represents a gender neutral product that can serve in that role. Both products assist in the sanitary disposal of waste products from the body. Both products are a recently invent convenience (relative to human history). There are cheaper alternatives used by billions of people the world over. So do we consider toilet paper a necessity? Do we tax that at a lower rate than other products? Should we? In addressing this issue should we consider the environmental impact of these products? Both products generate billions of tons of waste every year. Waste that is technically unnecessary.

    If you want to define a non-disposable product as a ‘medical device’ and not tax that item (or tax it at the lowest rate allowed by the local tax codes) then I’m 100% on board. But I can’t say I’m on board with the reduction or elimination of these taxes for disposable sanitary napkins (or toilet paper) because they truly do represent a modern convenience. There are alternatives, if we choose not to use those alternatives for the sake of convenience then we choose to pay that elevated tax.

    Let the flames begin!

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      AnnieBodyCajod
      2/10/16 10:42am

      What alternatives? Those cups you shove up there and empty out? Straight up rags? Rags have to be washed which then requires a lot of water, energy to heat the water, and soap (also likely bleach). So that requires more investment of time, energy and $.

      I’m not being snarky, genuinely asking what you consider non-convenience alternatives to tampons and maxi-pads. And for that matter toilet paper. What’s the non-convenience alternative to toilet paper? Leaves? Your hand? It seems like there could be hygiene implications for that route. Same with the use of reusable rags and Diva cups.

      ETA: I don't have particularly strong opinions about taxing tampons. It's an interesting debate.

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      walter waitCajod
      2/10/16 10:45am

      This is a strange take on what is otherwise a very interesting point about the purpose of our tax system.

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    bourbon.p.millerAllie Jones
    2/10/16 9:43am

    Why remove the tax? If women are bleeding, that means they aren't pregnant and how are they going to get in heaven without a progeny?

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      Ianbourbon.p.miller
      2/10/16 9:46am

      Intriguing point. *smokes pipe*

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      Boudicabourbon.p.miller
      2/10/16 10:13am

      And, shouldn’t they be out in a hut somewhere when not pregnant during “that time?”

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    dvdoffAllie Jones
    2/10/16 9:40am

    If men bled,tampons would be free.

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      benjaminalloverdvdoff
      2/10/16 9:46am

      And drive-thru abortions.

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      Youarenaturesgreatestmonsterdvdoff
      2/10/16 9:51am

      If men had vaginas they would be women.

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    $kaycogAllie Jones
    2/10/16 9:49am

    Tampons should not be taxed. Period.

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      ncoliphant$kaycog
      2/10/16 10:51am

      What should be taxed? Shampoo? Razors? There’s sales tax on my haircut but my employer has a dress code, should that be taxed? Seems like an interesting place to draw the line at tampons.

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      Niconcoliphant
      2/10/16 12:48pm

      Well, if you're a poor cashier they probably don’t care if you have longer hair, if you are a poor cashier you still get your period.

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    Mike_TOAllie Jones
    2/10/16 9:50am

    Why not just eliminate taxes on necessities, like deodorant, toothpaste, medications, tampons, condoms, food, diapers, medical devices... you know, stuff everyone should be able to afford? Why just feminine products?

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      a seahorseMike_TO
      2/10/16 10:12am

      Do you consider diapers feminine products? I’m curious

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      ErzhikMike_TO
      2/10/16 10:28am

      You eliminate tax on that, what the hell do you tax then?

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    Jewish OkoyeAllie Jones
    2/10/16 11:10am

    Gonna be an asshole “Actually”er for a moment, but the headline implies there currently isn’t a tax on tampons and these Mormen want to impose one, vs. keeping the tax or removing it.

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      KittyReavenJewish Okoye
      2/10/16 12:00pm

      That’s one of those linguistic things that media can use to manipulate public sentiment while still not technically being false.

      You could spin the title as “Utah congress to decide whether to be 6th state to eliminate tampon tax” and suddenly Utah sounds like a bastion of liberalism for even considering it.

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      DJ DozierJewish Okoye
      2/10/16 12:35pm

      Which means a group of men are taking the initiative to at least consider removing the tax, so I’m not sure why they’re being criticized.

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    HarvestMoonAllie Jones
    2/10/16 9:41am
    All in all, it would save the average taxpayer about $30 a year

    But would be a much bigger savings to two very cash strapped groups, new parents and the elderly.

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08…

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      OldcabbageheadAllie Jones
      2/10/16 10:18am

      Jesus what a fucking waste of time for the people who came up with the bill and committee who has to vote on it. Is $30/year for the average tax payer or $1M to the state going to make any difference to either? If it’s just based on principle, then why isn't the discussion about all human basic needs? I need food to eat and a roof to live under, why am I taxed for those?!?! :,(

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        CllprmpOldcabbagehead
        2/10/16 10:39am

        You aren’t taxed on food.

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        OldcabbageheadCllprmp
        2/10/16 10:46am

        You may not be but I am. It is 1% for unprepared and the normal 6% for prepared.

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