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Article: A `Conspicuous Consumption Tax'
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- November 16, 1987
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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The Post asks in its Nov. 10 editorial "The Best Second-Best
Tax," "What tax capable of raising enough money do you like better"
than an increased gasoline tax, which is both regressive and an
additional burden on businesses struggling to become competitive with
foreign producers? A tax I like better is a "conspicuous consumption
tax."
Individuals and businesses often inflate their egos by engaging
in conspicuous consumption by purchasing excessively expensive items
and services, such as stretch limousines, large yachts and airplanes,
hotel suites, sumptuous meals, huge estates, expensive fur coats,
other clothing and jewelry and art works. These items have no
utilitarian value that ...