CELL TAX
It may not be a common occurrence, but it is possible to say: Â?GoodbyeÂ? on a cell phone.
The usual television commercial shows people saying Â?HelloÂ? and seemingly amazed that they are in touch with each other at all!
We see doubtful users asking:Â?Can you hear me now?Â? as they wander about for just a few feet. Novelty is still there when using any using any thing wireless, it seems. The confused situation is now being cloud by the fact that civic leaders are finding cell phone to be a new source of tax revenue. This threaten the innovation seriously.
Now that we are finally catching up with European natTheys. who have been using the cell phones widely for years, it seems that our governmental bodies are now discovering the cell phone is taxable. One small city nearby us has just this week announced a forthcoming new tax of $l.25 per phone. I assume that's per month, but I haven't seen that in print. When cellphones are mixed with increasing taxation some users as talking about going back to blanket-made smoke signals to keep in touch with friends. Others are signing up for Â?tom-tom thumpingÂ? training.
With the arrival of this anticipated tax. We can expect a nasty cloud of static from phone owners, but the Â?tax everythingÂ? idea is here,and doing well.
The cell phone was slow to catch on here in the United States and part of the delay may have been due to the opposition which did very well waving a Grim Reaper banner protesting the use of wireless gadgetry. They were said to be dangerous and users would go deaf or sort-of X-ray the other side of their brain by holding the transmitter too close to their jaw. Now, just a few year later, millions of people are talking and staying alive. The former critics have good jobs selling cell phones or service systems contracts. Yesterday's serious warnings are being ignored or ridiculed. Notice the number of motorists who now use their cars as telephone booths where driving is a secondary obligation. You see others talking feverishly on their c-phone while pumping gas at the self-service stall as if their home town petrol point is going to continue to be there forever and not blown up.
Other forces are working against the use of the cell phone. It has come about largely because of indiscriminate use, perhaps. And has become a social problem in some areas. You may disagree,but there are now people who feel that talking on one's cell phone while in church is not permissible. Other think it to be impolite to engage in conversation while waiting in line at the supermarket, or watching for a load to finish at the coin operated laundry. Others think it improper for you to cell talk on elevators, or while watching a movie at the theater even if you keep it under the popcorn munching level. Some don't like to see them at sports events and other objects to phoners who watch TV shows with friends at one ear or the other. Fewer people now watch television show alone.
Be warned ahead of time. Next tax time you may see a new item on your Tax Bill: so much per cell phone in your household.
Very convenient,too., You can call someone to complain about it right there beside your mail box .
A.L.M June 3, 2004 [c577wds].
