Should Internet Sales be Taxed?
Abstract
For years, the regulatory body of the internet, ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), has been fighting to keep the internet free from taxes and regulation. Recent efforts have been made to try and take over internet control. Stares and the Federal Government have made efforts to try and tax the sales of internet commerce. The sales tax is a way to collect revenue to for those states that need the income stream. The internet is a powerful tool to disburse information and allow free choice for goods, services and sources of information. Any burden that can stifle this system is not good for the economy.

Should Internet Sales be Taxed?
Policy Analysis
There is a process to solving problems in public policy that require policy makers to follow certain steps. According to Kraft and Furlong, one of those processes identified is the” rational-comprehensive approach” (Kraft & Furlong, 2013). To summarize this, the rational decision making model will be used; 1. The problem is identified or defined (what are the issues causing the problem), 2. What are the goals and/or objectives that are trying to be obtained? 3. Identify a various other alternatives that can be used, 4. Analyze the alternatives for expected impact, 5. Rank the alternatives for the best possible policy solution.
Each step in the policy analysis process follows a set of guidelines or criteria. According to Kraft and Furlong, there are steps in the analysis process and each step has a set of conditions (Kraft & Furlong, 2013, p. 119). Step one in the process deals with whom or what is affected by the problem? How attainable is the goal through one mean or another? “The goals and objectives of the intervention”, whether it’s a private or government solution, whether it’s clear to all concerned (Kraft & Furlong, 2013, p. 119). Asking the questions seek to create new ideas and solutions to problems. Sometimes, a policy issue is only vaguely understood but part of the job that analyst have is to create an outline that puts the problem in writing.
Step 2 is to the most creative part of the analysis process. This step requires that policy makers dig deeper into the solutions and develop creative approaches to public issues. Using different ideas or approaches of the same problem provides and alternative. Other ways to address issues is the use of the private sector to solve an issue. This step is one that requires that policy makers look creatively at both the government and at outside sources.
Step 3 comes after creating a list of policy alternatives; the next step is to evaluate these alternatives for the best solution. The likelihood of a policies success of the proposals in solving the problem at hand, the cost and efficiency of proposals and the implication for social equal (Kraft & Furlong, 2013, p. 122). The personal experience of the policy maker and the data gathered and used to analyze the problem as well. These would be considered pilot programs and provide valuable information as to the possible effectiveness of the solution.
Step 4 assesses the strongest of the list of possible alternatives. Once the list is drawn down to few strong candidates, the policy is then further scrutinized to determine how well the “option fits in relation to the most relevant criteria” (Kraft & Furlong, 2013, p. 124). Assessment can be evaluated using different tools to the best fit. Data analysis or some kind of cost benefit analysis would be an example of this phase of the step.
Step 5 is the conclusion to the analysis process. This step reaches a conclusion based on the possible outcomes from the other steps in the process. The approach used is a result of multiple conclusions that either policymakers or the public will decide which one/s will be implemented (Kraft & Furlong, 2013, p. 125)
Policy Issue
The policy issue concerning the tax of a new revenue stream brings to light certain economic and