Written By : William Teach

Once again, we can see how Democratic business and tax policies, which, in their world, they think will be super! and help people, actually cause misery and problems

The sun hasn’t exactly set on Solar Planet, but anxiety over the fate of the Arlington tanning salon has been running high ever since a “tan tax” took effect Thursday.

One of the less publicized measures in the new health-care law, the tax imposes a 10 percent surcharge on the use of ultraviolet indoor tanning beds.

Less publicized? Where has the Washington Post writer been?

Supporters — including the Obama administration, congressional Democrats and dermatologists — have argued that the tax will raise an estimated $2.7 billion toward the cost of expanding health coverage to the uninsured, while discouraging a practice that increases the risk of skin cancer by as much as threefold in frequent users, according to scientific research.

Is it just me, or, do you also think that a policy designed to discourage a behavior but also raise tons of money is idiotic?

But outraged tanning salon owners worry that the levy could deal a death blow to an industry already reeling from the recession.

“In 26 years of business this is the worst I’ve seen it,” said Scott Shortnacy, owner of the Arlington Solar Planet as well as six other branches in the Washington area. “Normally for people who tan, it’s a part of their lifestyle. They keep doing it even in a recession. But everybody has been looking for ways to cut back on those areas. … Our sales are down 20 to 30 percent.”

A good chunk of the reduction is obviously due to the recession, which is not getting any better, thanks to Democrat policies and potential legislation. Just wait till the fall rolls around, and sales go down even more because people do not want to pay the tax.

According to the Indoor Tanning Association, an industry trade group, most of the nation’s 19,000 tanning salons are small businesses owned and staffed by women. Shortnacy said all but two of his several dozen employees are women. With business so slow, he opted against hiring the 10 to 15 seasonal workers he normally adds during the spring high season.

Why do Democrats hate women? When business drops even further, and, in some cases, the business gets shuttered, who suffers? That’s right, the women who work at those tanning salons.

What we are seeing is Democrat taxation, and economic, policy in a microcosm. They always feel that just a little extra tax won’t hurt. And time and time again they are proven wrong. And just wait till ObamaCare actually kicks in in full.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove. Follow me on Twitter @WilliamTeach

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