Tanning Tax Is Racist Against White People, Says Congressman Ted Yoho
The tanning tax is back in the news again and this time, Florida Republican congressman Ted Yoho has charged, albeit jokingly, that it is a racist tax against white people.
Addressing an audience at a town hall meeting earlier this month, Right Wing Watch reports that Yoho made it clear to the crowd that he isn't too happy that the tax only affects white people.
"I had a little fun with [John] Boehner and told him about the sun tanning tax. He goes, 'I didn't know it was in there,' and I said, 'Yes, it's a ten percent tax.' He goes, 'Well, that's not that big of a deal.' I said, 'It's a racist tax.' He goes, 'You know what, it is,'" said congressman Yoho.
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"I had an Indian doctor in our office the other day, very dark skin, with two non-dark skin people, and I asked this to him, I said, 'Have you ever been to a tanning booth?' and he goes, 'No, no need.' So therefore it's a racist tax and I thought I might need to get to a sun tanning booth so I can come out and say I've been disenfranchised because I got taxed because of the color of my skin. As crazy as that sounds, that's what the left does right. By God, if it works for them, it'll work for us," he quipped.
The tanning tax was, according to the Washington Post, known as the "Snooki" tax for a while after the Jersey Shore star, known for her trademark tan, voiced opposition to the 10 percent excise tax on tanning salons.
The tax is expected to raise about $21 billion under the new health care law that will cost a reported $1.3 trillion.
Under the new excise law, a tax is imposed on "any indoor tanning services equal to 10 percent of the amount paid."
It, however, doesn't apply to places that offer tanning services without a specific fee like gyms.
Video stores and some Laundromats that sometimes offer tanning services without a charge to attract customers are also exempt from the excise law.
