Santa To Skip California This Year

Santa To Skip California This Year

The children of California don’t have to worry- Christmas will come this year. Whatever toys and presents their parents and family can afford and the festivities in and out of their home will provide them with a merry Christmas. However as of now, Santa Claus will have to take a pass on bringing any presents or goodies into the state. The reason is that Gov. Schwarzenegger wants Santa to pay sales tax on everything he brings into the state in addition to DMV license fees on his sled to help balance the state’s budget. Also the sled and reindeer don’t meet California’s pollution and emission requirements for vehicles and the governor is demanding a vehicle that uses clean natural gas. Santa argued that he couldn’t pay the tax because he doesn’t have any money, just glad tidings and goodwill to all men. He also claimed he was a delivery man, like UPS, but he just happens to dress in red because it’s such a more festive color that goes with his sled and besides, UPS doesn’t pay the sales tax. He asked, “Is this red suit to the tax collector like a red car is to the highway patrol?” In addition, California loses out because nobody pays sales tax on internet purchases from out of state. Plus, if the governor passes the proposed increase in sales tax, people will be driving to Oregon in droves, where they pay no sales tax, to buy things there instead of in California. Gov. Schwarzenegger said this was just another of the special interests he’s taking on, specifically Santa’s clients (He threatened, “Don’t you dare publish that they are children.”) The governor might let Santa off the hook if he provides an itemized list of all his deliveries so that he can charge the recipients or their parents the tax. But once again we have to take a break from all of these daily concerns and remind everyone to remember that Christmas is based on love and the willingness to give of ourselves to others. Merry Christmas!

©2008 Eric Stamets