Texas Gubernatorial candidate wants 50% tax on "violent games"
by Ross Miller 
{ Jan 25th 2006 at 3:30PM }
Are you a Texan gamer? You might
want to watch this carefully. The positive spin of Republican gubernatorial candidate Star Locke's proposal is the
elimination of property taxes. However, as any Economics professor will tell you (much to the chagrin of his or her
students), there is no such thing as a free lunch - so what's the catch?According to the Amarillo (registration required), Locke would propose a 10-percent tax on soft drinks, a $10,000-per-abortion tax, and a 50-percent tax on violent video games. Of course, violent games is a very subjective term - that's why he proposes a 10-member board that will determine which game is violent enough. "Once it's reviewed," Locke says, "the tax would be levied swiftly."
In other words, this committee can tax any game it wants, just so long as they can all agree (can't be that hard to find 10 like-minded non-gamers). Locke is very clear about his intentions: "we need to tax things we don't want and...not tax things that you want to encourage." He has seen violent game legislation fail repeatedly, so now he is attempting to do away with violent games using simple economics - pretty clever, to be honest.
Locke is running against incumbent Rick Perry for the GOP nomination and the chances of him winning the primary are slim. Still, Texan gamers, you've been warned: now, go register to vote.
[via 1up]
[Update: Added a line explaining the possibilities of Mr. Locke being elected. Also, you may notice your comment disappear - I hid about half of the submitted comments so far because they either 1) were completely off topic (discussing politics and what-not) or 2) flamed Texas or another Joystiq reader. This is a large issue, but let's focus on the gaming aspect and on being civil.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
joe orland @ Feb 26th 2006 7:25AM
hi I live in Malta an island very far from the U.S as I am a gamer when I here people thinking like this they want to ban video games tax this tax that etc
I think either they have a few nuts loose from there mind or they want to dictate what other people should enjoy or be there hobby for your own sake do not vote for this guy because today will be videogames and soft drink and another will be something else
oh and what kind of name is that star did he got it from an episode of star trek
MeatFarley @ Jan 25th 2006 3:40PM
Better yet...MOVE OUT OF TEXAS!
jackson @ Jan 25th 2006 3:41PM
This is stupid. These ideas have so many ideas that he will be a laughingstock by morning. Clearly he is not a serious candidate. He wants to get rid of all City governments? Great idea.
And taxes on abortions means rich people get safe abortions in hospitals and poor people have to go down an alley and risk infection and death. Not fair.
He is going to tell us what we can drink? Because companies aren't going to make sodas that aren't profitable. That's not American.
He is going to outlaw violent video games? Cause companies don't make unprofitable games by choice.
This guy is a typical rich white oil man from texas. He doesn't think and he likes to talk shite.
m3mnoch @ Jan 25th 2006 3:41PM
all i have to say is: oh. my. god.
http://www.starovertexas.com/
m3mnoch.
Steve @ Jan 25th 2006 3:42PM
Why would you want to tax soft drinks? How can this guy claim that people don't want soft drinks, or that they are a bane on society? There are dozens of soft drinks that have 0 calories, 0 sugar, and 0 sodium. They're good for you. This guy's proposals are laughable, and I would never vote for him.
SickNic @ Jan 25th 2006 3:48PM
If they did that in my state, it just might cause me to start shooting people randomly. Where else would all my pent up agression go?
unreal mccoy @ Jan 25th 2006 3:50PM
I live in Texas. I'm a republican. I'm a gamer. And I'm not nervous. Wanna know why?
Locke has NO chance in hell. Rick Perry has it tied up. End of story.
pete @ Jan 25th 2006 3:51PM
As your resident federalist/constitutional scholar, I can tell you that this hifalutin chatter about "RUNNIN' GAMES, DEMS, AND ABORTIONISTS OUTTA' TEXAS" is typical of the Lone Star state. However, whether it's constitutional is a whole other matter - the abortion thing is almost surely unconstitutional (at least till we have a Justice Sam Alito). The games & soft drinks tax is a little tougher, but with good lawyering (and hard lobbying), would likely also be rendered unconstitutional. Still, definitely cause for concern and ALL the more reason for Texans to rock the vote or die for liberty.
Ryan @ Jan 25th 2006 3:53PM
#1, Texas rocks. Why would I ever leave? And Locke is not a serious candidate, as he is running against the incumbent Rick Perry (although Perry is not considered a state favorite, he will more than likely secure the Republican candidacy). The guy to watch, however, is Independent Kinky Friedman.
worai @ Jan 25th 2006 3:55PM
Are they trying to promote illegal download of ISO games in a way?
Who will buy a game with 50% more tax to it?
The next thing they will tax are internet contents/information,
I guess (p0rn?) haha
Steve @ Jan 25th 2006 3:58PM
I know I'll get crap for this, but I think he's got the right means to achieve his desired end. Of course, whether this gets through is another story. I think this would stop a lot of underage gaming simply because (most) kids can't afford that kind of investment in a game.
On the other hand, it will drive most adult business to the web to avoid it.
Bryan @ Jan 25th 2006 3:58PM
This guy is just saying crazy things to get attention, because the current governor of Texas IS a Republican, so barring any weirdness he will obviously be the Republican candidate when the actual election rolls around. Anyone taking this guy seriously is probably 12 years old. I would LIKE for Joystiq to report that the current governor, Rick Perry, is a Republican, and so this guy is just some nobody in the party who'll do anything to get attention.
Justin Nolan @ Jan 25th 2006 4:00PM
Steve, you opinions aren't included in what "they" want. Didn't you hear? Other people tell us what we need and want now.
pennywise969 @ Jan 25th 2006 4:06PM
I have to agree, it is highly inprobable that this guy could win. The two primary candidates are incombant Rick Perry and state comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn(who is a republican, but will run as an independant to avoid getting knocked out when Perry wins the Republican primary.) The dark horse candidate is Kinky Friedman. Kinky Friedman deserves the vote for lots of reasons, one of which being that his name is Kinky? How awesome would that be? Gov. Kinky?
worai @ Jan 25th 2006 4:06PM
I think this would stop a lot of underage gaming simply because (most) kids can't afford that kind of investment in a game.
Does that mean they can just sell guns/smokes at higher price and kids won't be able to affort it and consider the problem solved?
NO!
Andy Grey @ Jan 25th 2006 4:08PM
I'm actually pretty cool with this since it wouldn't apply to online purchases. So if someone wanted it enought they could get it at a fair price online and if they were kids they would now definitely need their parents to purchase it since it is an online purchase.
For adult gamers it would mean they would be forced to purchase online and children it would mean that they would need to parental consent to buy violent games.
doubtful @ Jan 25th 2006 4:13PM
See, this is what happens when a politician opens their mouth.
Something stupid comes out.
MiThRaZoR @ Jan 25th 2006 4:13PM
^^^ You better be right, because if this does go through, I'm a go crazy... This guy could suck my DI*K.
Why is it that people hate games? Your own fault you didn't get a Atari back in your days. They don't know what they've been missing out on. The gaming is one of the biggest industries. And it creates many jobs. With all this stuff going on, YOU SHOULD BE GLAD WE'RE CREATING JOBS!!!!
Shawn @ Jan 25th 2006 4:13PM
I'd go to the polls if they didn't keep purging my freakin' vote.
0 for 2 TX elections that I've attempted to vote in at this point...
sigh.
portorikan @ Jan 25th 2006 4:14PM
Seriously, I really dislike this state and can't wait to move back to Florida, although it may be a while.
Texas sucks and the DOT are a bunch of idiots creating bottlenecking all over the place (not the mention the idiocy that are turnarounds).
Having just glimpsed at that website, I don't think this guy's going anywere.
unreal mccoy @ Jan 25th 2006 4:39PM
What irritates me is that this headline could very easily read "California Gubernatorial candidate wants 50% tax on 'violent games'" or "Vermont Gubernatorial candidate wants 50% tax on 'violent games'" and people wouldn't say one negative thing about those states.
I don't get it...
Vice Lexington @ Jan 25th 2006 4:44PM
I'm a proud Texan, and obviously a gamer if I read Joystiq. Personally, and though you all may flame me for it, I endorse this plan. Most of the games I own are probably considered "violent" and one would think that'd a tax would anger me, but most of you are probably too young to realize that completely dropping property taxes is far more important than anything concerning video games. Furthermore, there's no way he'd pass a 50% tax anyway- that'd raise the price of some games to $75. If anything, it'll be half that. Sure, dedicated gamers would still shell out the dough, and younger gamers with lighter pockets probably wouldn't and that'd keep violent game sales up with the intended age range, but 50% is still way too high, and he knows that. But if he gets elected, he'll probably still pursue a tax of some sort, so get ready. There's more to life than video games, folks, but if you're passionate about gaming like me, a paying few extra bucks shouldn't bother you much.
Steve @ Jan 25th 2006 4:46PM
Quote: "Does that mean they can just sell guns/smokes at higher price and kids won't be able to affort it and consider the problem solved?
NO!"
Kids can't go out and buy guns. There are age requirements, as well as background checks. And as for cigarettes, nicotine is a proven addictive substance. While I'm sure many of us would say that games too are "addictive", they aren't in the same category. Plus, comparing a $90 dollar game ($60 for next gen 50% tax) is a lot different than a few bucks for a pack of cigarettes.
Thus my point remaining that it will keep most kids from BUYING these violent video games. I never said anything about them having the means to PLAY them.
Oh, and that other Steve who said the thing about soda being good for you...not me. Some other crazy. Soda isn't good for you just because some have almost no calories or sodium.
Todd H. @ Jan 25th 2006 4:46PM
Do rate "R" movies or music with "Parental Advisory" warnings get taxed?
I don't think any are fair, but if the two previous mentioned are taxed than I could see Video Games being added to this list.
Either way its BS and another form of censorship in my book
san @ Jan 25th 2006 5:10PM
"What irritates me is that this headline could very easily read "California Gubernatorial candidate wants 50% tax on 'violent games'" or "Vermont Gubernatorial candidate wants 50% tax on 'violent games'" and people wouldn't say one negative thing about those states."
McCoy, yeah they would: those granola-lovin' freaks in California. Bunch of sap-heads in Vermont. Etc. No escaping that kind of ad hominem attack. The case with Texas is that Texas -- yes, I live here -- has a reputation for being staunchly socially conservative, and social conservatives have a reputation for passing their values and lifestyle restrictions onto everyone else. That's an onerous proposition; it annoys people and they lash out.
Nothing wrong with Texas per se.
Lutraphobic @ Jan 25th 2006 5:21PM
All you gamers who live in TX, get out there and vote, and tell all your friends the same. And good job on deleting some offtopic comments, no need to start flame wars over this. Who cares what "side" he is on, its obviously not OUR side.
mofomojo @ Jan 25th 2006 5:40PM
Comment moderation?
"1) were completely off topic (discussing politics and what-not)"
Wait, what? This appears like a politics thread to me.
How hypocritical, I mean, you even tell people to go out and ... guess what.. vote!
Besides the ridiculous comment moderation, my opinion here is that this is just another loony traditionalist conservative candidate.
He wants every thing to stay "Good and Old" and cringes on the ideas of modernism, acceptance and reasonable inferences (i.e. Violent Movies do not make people violent, seeing violence does not encourage violence, etc.)
Well, the only thing that could come of this is a new trend of conservative persecution, which, for the love of god, does not occur. Now that we have a conservative gov't in Canada I'm scared shitless of what ridiculous laws they might pass.
So, go out Texans, go out and vote against this loony!
AssemblyLineHuman @ Jan 25th 2006 5:46PM
@anyone who thinks that this is googd idea because kids wouldn't be able to afford them: there are numberous problems with that theory, but I can think of three off the top of my head.
1. It's not that hard to get stuff off the Internet.
2. Not all adults would be able to afford to pay 50% more for their violent video games anway. Why should Texan adults have to pay extra because they want to buy games that they are okay for them to have?
3. Not all parents want to stop their kids from playing violent video games. I know, to an extent, my parents don't mind if I play fairly violent games because they know I know the difference between fantasy and reality.
Ryan @ Jan 25th 2006 6:10PM
Okay, Ross, my response to #19 was not a flame and I'm a little confused as to why it was removed and portorikan's post saying Texas sucks is still up.
Texas is a great state with a rich history and culture. There was no validity to portorikan's statement whatsoever. (I will yield that TXDOT does have...problems, especially with planning, but that doesn't mean the whole state sucks)
[Ross responds: The deletion of your response was a slip-up, and it will now be reprinted here below this comment]
#20, Texas is a great state with great people. I'm sorry that you feel that way. I could, by the way, come up with some equally compelling reasons why Florida sucks. But I won't, because I respect your opinion.
Ross Miller @ Jan 25th 2006 6:23PM
@mofomojo (currently #26)
This is a political piece, I agree, but this is first and foremost a video game blog. This post was created due to the ramifications of the consumer and industry that cares about video games. So yes, if someone spends 75% of their post talking about abortion rights, plugging any candidates whatsoever, or just trash talking (vulgarity and profanity, name-calling, anti-Texas remarks, etc.) - deleted without hesitation. I have no problem with people encouraging voting; it's people encouraging voting of one candidate or another, or people citing every negative Texas stereotype they know, or using the 'f' word 20 times - that's the stuff I'm deleting.
If you want to discuss politics, walk outside your door, go find a chat room - there are millions of people who will discuss politics. I want this post to remain focused on the video game portion of his proposal only.
Ryan @ Jan 25th 2006 6:38PM
Thank you, Ross.
Fortyseven @ Jan 25th 2006 6:43PM
Mmm...ignorance.
kevin @ Jan 25th 2006 6:56PM
(...comment moderation? oh, gods...'tevers... figured i'd just poke some fun at texas, but apparently that's taboo... ah wells...)
the guy's an idiot, thinking taxing the hell out of games would solve anything... all it'd do is 'cause gaming stores to fire hardworking texans due to the decrease in revenue... because people aren't gonna buy 90 dollar games. (anyone that would needs to have his head examined)...
...if anything, this is just all the more evidence that the people in charge are bereft of ideas and, even moreso, intellectual honesty... they ~know~ it's the parents' job to moderate what their kids see and when... they just don't want to take the risk of telling the parents that... and that's coming from all sides, really... lib or conserv... nobody wants to risk pissing off john q public by telling him that johnny jr. is really just a screw-up... much easier to wink and nod and start railing against movies/music/comics/games...
JustS @ Jan 25th 2006 6:58PM
Monetary censorship, what a bunch of thugs republicans are. I feel sorry for any free thinking idividuals living in Texas, I know you hate to be cast in the same lot as these ignornat self-righteous blowhards.
Matt @ Jan 25th 2006 7:13PM
Well he's not getting my vote. I think the "one tough grandma" will win. Screw Rick Perry.
1TLRMS @ Jan 25th 2006 8:01PM
Just another chip off the old freedom block. Sure you can still buy the game, but we (in our infinate wisdom of what is right and wrong) are gonna charge you out the ass if you choose "teh evil" games. Special taxes = political version of shock thearpy.
People in this state are so f%#$@ing stupid... atleast 2/3rds are.
Alex K. @ Jan 25th 2006 9:16PM
a tax would be the perfect way to eliminate violent games. and the truth is, games are getting more and more violent and there's no real reason for them to be.
making new ratings systems stops no one. but taxing, that's what can really decrease sales. no one is going to pay $75 + existing sales tax for the next grand theft auto game.
i dont like his soft drink tax though.
jakk of guildofIV @ Jan 25th 2006 9:38PM
he says that we should tax things we dont want this raises a few questions...
1. who is we?
2. people dont buy things they dont want. so why do they need to be taxed?
3. wtf is he smoking?
4. is it good?
5. if so, can i have some?
jakk @ Jan 25th 2006 9:49PM
this guy is like the demon lovechild of jack thompson and hillary clinton.
Chris @ Jan 25th 2006 9:52PM
I can't speak for all Texans, but I don't mind that at all. If the game is good, I'm willing to pay. And fewer parents are likely to buy a $75 25 to life for their young'ns.
Bryan @ Jan 26th 2006 1:17AM
Kudos to whoever updated this post to point out that this guy is running against incumbent governor Rick Perry for the Republican nomination.
And to all the haters, let's just say that without Texas there would be no Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake, Ultima, Metroid Prime, etc etc. No Willie Nelson, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Bun-B, etc etc. Give Texas its props.
MrEvil @ Jan 26th 2006 6:13PM
Star Locke won't make it past the primaries. And Friedman's got a strong showing in the polls (20% last I remember) and mind you that's 20% of just those that voted back in '02. Only some 30-40% of eligible voters in Texas bothered to show up. I am of the strong feeling that Texas' next governor will in fact be a Jewish Cowboy.
lxile @ Jan 27th 2006 1:08PM
Does this guy honestly believe that his constituents would just stand by and pay $70 for a $50 game when they could easily fed ex it overnight from any other state in the union, and most countries, and still get it cheaper? There was a lot more to this post but the powers that be found that actually discussing political matters such as the feasablity of other aspects of this man's taxation plan was just not the kind of sordid discussion that belongs in the pristine joystiq discussion panel.
NAME @ Jan 29th 2006 1:39AM
Games are about to cost over $59-$89 each like the snes and n64 days. Adding 50% tax to violent games which is the mainstream of 90% of the next generation games (at least xbox 360 and PS3) would be insane.
It would boost pirating, over-state shipping, used game purchasing (ooh publishers won't like that) and it would harm the gaming inudstry at least in texas.
This bill wouldn't be able to take effect because there is more negative which will ultimately come out of it then positive. I don't live in Texas, nor do I know anything about current texan politics but I can tell you that this bill will not be passed without controvosy and flops.
Adam Saunders @ Jan 30th 2006 4:24PM
ID software and all the other Texas based game shops would probably want to find new digs. You guys are always welcome in New York City, if it gets too hot for ya down in Texas.