Texas politician proposes 100 percent game tax

[UPDATE] Republican primary candidate wants to eliminate property taxes by heavily taxing games the government deems "violent."

Though incumbent Governor Rick Perry is almost assured to win the Republican nomination for this year's gubernatorial election in Texas, he does face three long-shot challengers. One of them, Corpus Christi rancher Star Locke, has proposed eliminating property taxes in the Lone Star State with revenue from taxing three things he finds undesirable. Specifically, Locke is proposing a $10,000 per-abortion tax on medical clinics that perform abortions and a 50 percent tax on all soda that "contains added glucose, fructose, sucrose to the beverage for sale to humans."

[UPDATE] However, gamers will be especially alarmed by the third part of Locke's property-tax-relief proposal--a 100 percent tax on "violent video games." According to the candidate's official Web site, the candidate would impose "The Family Security & Protection Act" when elected. Section 4 of the act calls to "levy a 100 percent of price sales cost tax for the sale on ... any video game containing any form of human violence."

"I take the position that the Founding Fathers took: that the power to tax is the power to destroy," Locke told the Amarillo Globe News. "So our concept is that we need to tax things we don't want and you want to not tax things that you want to encourage."

However, in the unlikely event he is sent to the governor's mansion, Locke would create a 10-member board that would label games as violent. According to the Globe, the tax itself would be levied against the publishers of said games--and quickly. "Once it's reviewed, the tax would be levied swiftly," he said.

[UPDATE] Locke's other platform promises call for the repeal of all alcoholic beverage laws and a 50 percent "grease tax" on "all food prepared by deep-frying or cooking in any form of oil or grease for human consumption."

468 Comments

  • satrain18

    Posted Jun 12, 2006 4:03 am PT

    Fine words of wisdom, livinlegend8723. Besides, that Star Locke guy is just another money-hungry politician who wants to satisfy his craving for cold, hard cash at the expense of us gamers as well as the game makers themselves.

  • XtremePhsyco

    Posted Feb 8, 2006 4:45 pm PT

    Locke is the face of all evil in the world he must be stopped

  • XtremePhsyco

    Posted Feb 8, 2006 4:44 pm PT

    what a complete loser "I take the position that the Founding Fathers took: that the power to tax is the power to destroy," jeez i dont like this guy one bit

  • Killergunns06

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 2:12 pm PT

    Right lately they have taken Grand Theft Auto off the market to fix hot coffee
    I have a good mind to start a group to keep this kind of stuff in the future from happening. Somebody really need to teach these politican's a lesson.It time we start the revolution.

  • gokunj2

    Posted Feb 3, 2006 2:32 pm PT

    Dude I think that this Locke guy makes Thompson Tolerable.

  • Jtek

    Posted Feb 3, 2006 1:24 pm PT

    This is an excellent idea. Take away property takes!! A house and land are some of the absolute best investments you can ever make. Alleviating the option of the government taking away your land or house because you didn't pay taxes is profound.

    I'm all for taxing those things which are "luxury" so those things that are necessary such as shelter are more affordable.

    Those who oppose this need to think more cleary. As you get older you'll realize what's more important and it's not video games, least of all violent ones.

    Me? Half of my games are violent. If I lived in Texas sure I'd be a little worried that KOTOR 3 may cost me an arm or a leg but if it was good enough I'd spend the money.

    Look at it like this. If games cost more then perhaps the industry would start putting out better quality games that are FINISHED and require fewer patches since the consumer will be more discerning when spending their cash on a game.

    I think it's WIN-WIN.

  • RollMaster

    Posted Feb 1, 2006 8:01 pm PT

    right dude! seriously, this guy belongs in an insane asylume or in a morgue

  • deathshead023

    Posted Feb 1, 2006 11:54 am PT

    this guys is like a character from beavis and butthead. but just dumber

  • newman_zachary

    Posted Jan 31, 2006 1:04 pm PT

    This Tax would bring out the violence in children i would think, i am almost wanting to do something deconstructive right now

  • kmne11528

    Posted Jan 31, 2006 1:40 am PT

    I thought British politicians were stupid!! But this is CRAZY!!!! Glad I dont live in America.

  • Aura-Jin

    Posted Jan 30, 2006 8:33 pm PT

    First Republicans want to spy on Americans because they want to keep us "safe". Now they want to tell us what we can and can't play.

    Next they're going to say that Counter-Strike is a terrorist training game.

  • gordon_1

    Posted Jan 30, 2006 5:14 pm PT

    Wow that f***** is crazy, his website has really distubing videos something way more intense than what you would see in a videogame. so he is ok with taxing completely everything and induce ppl to join the army so they will get tax benefits. what a load of bs

  • Xanog1

    Posted Jan 30, 2006 1:52 pm PT

    Yeah, that's really effective.

    Let's tax a form of entertainment instead of houses, so that this way, when entertainment fails, and the economy starts to drop, we'll at least have the satisfaction of knowing that we don't have to pay as much money to live in a home.

    This is honestly very stupid, as we all know that they'll deem almost every popular series as violent, even if it isn't.

  • lordcarbo

    Posted Jan 30, 2006 1:29 pm PT

    Jack Thompson Jr. lol

  • Atmos42

    Posted Jan 29, 2006 8:28 pm PT

    What most people don't understand about Texas is that, unlike every other state that I am aware of, the governor here has almost no power. He can't legislate or introduce bills, he can only veto. He has to get house members to actually introduce anything that he wants. they of course can say no. He is, however, the only full time politician that the state really has, all other house and senate members only go into session once every two years, and only make about $7000 a year while the governor makes somewhere around $120,000. In college I was told by my government professor that the only reason anyone ran for governor was for the money. BTW, the most powerful position is the Lt. Gov. He makes about $9000 a year. He is the one with almost presidential powers. We like it this way so that we have a useless full timer and people who can only mess things up every two years.

  • mainewha

    Posted Jan 29, 2006 7:29 am PT

    What an idiot! there's no way in hell or in Texas that someone that ignorant and idiotic would be able to win an election with such a idiotic and economically destructive plan as that one. What party is he with? The Idiotic Econimic Killer party? God someone better make sure he doesnt ever get an idea that stupid ever again. (I shun the idiot for all of time)

  • Noijo

    Posted Jan 28, 2006 10:51 pm PT

    wyldcard6
    "This is actually a really good idea. "

    I don't see how this is a good idea for anybody. #1 you reduce the lawyers ability to make cheap money by going after video game companies for games in the possession of kids who should not have them. Ridding the parents of any responsibility in taking care of their children. #2 Your saying to those of us who are old enough and mentally stable enough to play these games for enjoyment and entertainment, your not going to get to play the games you love like everybody else, you have to pay more money to play the 'special' games. #3 Your going to put a lot of people out of business or force them to create more games like everybody else since they can no longer enjoy the rights of freedom of speech. #4 If you really think a tax like this will work, just watch the black-market and the droves of people driving across the state line to get the games. It is not a well thought out choice for limiting the chances of kids getting these games in their hands. Period.

  • wyldcard6

    Posted Jan 28, 2006 9:19 pm PT

    This is actually a really good idea.

  • physcodemon

    Posted Jan 28, 2006 7:51 pm PT

    *JACK TOMPSON WANNA BE *

  • BulletProof007

    Posted Jan 28, 2006 9:14 am PT

    PlaystationNoAi , I think Bob C. Comment was ment in a sarcastic way and I
    think most people reading it would agree. Leading to my comment.

  • PlaystationNoAi

    Posted Jan 28, 2006 8:06 am PT

    BulletProof007
    "I find this quote by Bob C. very interesting. Bob C I bet he also wants to withhold public funding to schools that teach evolution instead of Creationism. YEEHAWWWWWW!!!! This comment has nothing to do with video games at all but is rather a subtle attack and or slur aganist people who believe in creationism. For shame Bob C."

    BP - you got the quote right but look at it again. It's actually FOR creationism not a slur against them. Bob said "he wants to with withhold public funding to schools that teach evolution instead of creationism" meaning that the polititian would give the funding to schools that teach evolution. Bob is sarcastically showing the ignorance of the Texan representative. Boins.

  • PlaystationNoAi

    Posted Jan 28, 2006 7:57 am PT

    That's ridiculous! Those are like the only two things I consume in my life! SERIOUSLY! I WOULD TAKE LIKE A 75% INCOME HIT. Or something high like that. Oh well... at least I can drown my sorrows if alcohol becomes legal for under 21... wait... no I can't... I'll be broke.

  • RagnarokPhoenix

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 9:59 pm PT

    100 percent sales tax on violent games? That seems like something a homosexual would do. And this politician is indeed a homosexual.

  • Hippoboy

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 9:09 pm PT

    Any one got a gun?

  • Ryu

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 8:35 pm PT

    Wow... Want to talk about a self-righteous retard? This is the best example ever, right here. Tax "all food prepared by deep-frying or cooking in any form of oil or grease for human consumption?" That's even dumber than the video games portion. XD It's sad to me that such an ignoramus can even run for office.

  • Microsoft1234

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 8:17 pm PT

    well i have to say that kinda does stink, if anyting they should charge the tax on games that gives people ideas, gta, i know people would be mad but come on its texas, here in the real usa we dont go crazy

  • BulletProof007

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 5:29 pm PT

    I find this quote by Bob C. very interesting.

    Bob C
    I bet he also wants to withhold public funding to schools that teach evolution instead of Creationism. YEEHAWWWWWW!!!!

    This comment has nothing to do with video games at all but is rather
    a subtle attack and or slur aganist people who believe in creationism.
    For shame Bob C.

  • PossibleGamer

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 3:57 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • PossibleGamer

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 3:48 pm PT

    I mean i can see an abortion tax considering that it deals with lives, but now the government is trying to tell us what we can eat and drink? how many want to bet that that man has never touched a video game in his life? i mean, rule out all games that have "any form of human violence" and you're left with......funny, i can't think of anything...

  • MeisPoor

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 3:38 pm PT

    this f****** idiot. what crazy **** would repeal all laws on alcohol, tax soda and food, tax "violent games" essentially all games, and make a 10,000 dollar FINE for aborting a child, is he insane, good thing the chances of him actually getting into office are probably, non to none, as he may have some votes, but each one of his insane platforms contradicts the others. psychopath

  • tryx42

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 3:03 pm PT

    He wouldn't be a west texan would he??

  • -o-o-o-o-o-o-ox

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 2:54 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • hurleyskate284

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 1:46 pm PT

    Where's the 100% movie tax on the movies that depict questionable material?
    And the 100% music tax on the music that contains questionable lyrics?
    And the 100% clothing tax on the clothing that reveals questionable areas?

    And the 50% saturated fat tax?
    And the 50% trans fat tax?
    And the 50% "anything but steamed vegetables" tax?

    Oh wait, what about the 50% freedom tax?

  • tinkleberg

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 1:32 pm PT

    God bless America.

  • BugCatchingNet

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 12:32 pm PT

    Why does the media even report this type of story?. The sole purpose of this individual's claim is to garner more attention for his campaign. The guy is obviously an idiot, and it makes me sad to see the media pandering to his underlying desire for more press coverage.

  • chessemonger

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 11:58 am PT

    Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehawwwwww....... thats rednecks for ya..... whilst us here in Europe have our fair share of taxes (like our 360 games cost like $75) and stupid politicians, that really is something special. Texas, I congratulate you.

  • ghostpanther

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 11:12 am PT

    Makes me wonder if we are all living in the same country and century. I am sure this all makes perfect sense in his own little pocket universe in his head. Let's just hope when he does not get elected, that he doesn't start some fringe group on his ranch where they talk about taxing episodes of WWE Smack Down because of the violence on TV.

  • Talia_Starfire

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 11:08 am PT

    That's just absolutely insane. So insane that it's actually kind of funny...in a completely demented and terrifying way. If this guy manages to actually pass any of those laws, I would be absolutely shocked. (I would also quickly move to Europe.)

  • foogee345

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 9:54 am PT

    Citizen of Austin, Texas. It's sad that I'm not surprised by this.

  • jvd4life

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 9:48 am PT

    DEE DA DEE! Maybe we should hang that guy from a tree and line up to take shots at his nuts with a 100% taxed baseball bat!

  • Sabre1212

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 8:30 am PT

    Ahem. Long-shot. He ain't getting elected. The people of Texas are smarter than that.
    EDIT: Every once in awhile, we get a nut-job like this. They don't get elected, and even if they did, the government of Texas really can't do **** We set it up that way a little over a hundred years ago. And I saw someone saying something about guns...well...this is Texas. Every kid and his dog has gun. Good luck trying to take them away, it'll be the last mistake you ever made.

  • aliengroups

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 8:07 am PT

    I don't know btu has this guy ever played a "questionable game"? you already can't buy (or rent in some stores) a game that has been rated M until your at least 17 (a.k.a. audalthood or old enough to know whats right and wrong). but hey who am i to say? all's i know is that if this were to become true texas will never see a half- decent war, action, or (maybe even) RPG again!

  • sean4566

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 7:39 am PT

    Thats ****** up

  • WarhawK-harris

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 5:51 am PT

    I only read a little bit of his web site, but I could tell in an instant that this guy is not only a right-wing extremist but also an over-the-top evangelical. "as for me and my house, we serve the lord." That kinda goes against the separation of church and state.

  • friar_joe

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 4:56 am PT

    wow.........lots of free time

  • oblivion437

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 4:29 am PT

    "I take the position that the Founding Fathers took: that the power to tax is the power to destroy," Locke told the Amarillo Globe News. "So our concept is that we need to tax things we don't want and you want to not tax things that you want to encourage."

    Which founding fathers? Thomas Jefferson, who was a near-anarchist? George Washington, who disliked any expansion of government power? Maybe it was James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, after all, they supported tariffs to protect something.

    Seriously, this guy is such a neo-conservative that he's beyond help. There isn't much to say, except he and those like him were fine hard-charging Trotskyists back in their college days, but as soon as they wanted 'in' the establishment, they became pseudo-right wingers. Adopting much of the rhetoric but not understanding it or cynically reversing it to suit their in truth quasi-progressive attitudes. However, along the way like all establishment politicians, insiders and the like, he too became 'connected' just as he'd desired, but to stay connected, he had to sacrifice any beliefs he'd once held. Considering Neo-Conservative thinking is the most unprincipled political wing in America today, this is no surprise to me. Here's a man who clearly gets his news from frontpagemag, townhall and national review online...

    PS, it will skyrocket the piracy problem in Texas, not elsewhere. Where such a tax is not in place (or not enforced) piracy won't be an issue.

    PPS to Metro23, few points: 1, he's in texas, anti-gun legislation simply doesn't work in Texas. There are still people there who were raised by folks who felt the boot of military occupation. 2, gun control does not work. 3, a tax on firearms hasn't prevented crimes with them, the most profligate criminal abuser of power and violator of people's rights (the federal government) can still get away with whatever it wants, if you need proof, just look at how the assault on the Branch Davidian compound on Mount Carmel in Waco, Texas was handled. Would a tax on firearms have saved the lives of the people who were assaulted by their own government? 4, a firearm, like a videogame, automobile, bottle of booze, syringe full of Heroin, stick of dynamite, bunker buster bomb, knitting needle, hatchet, propaganda film, razor blade, political novel or shillelagh, is only as deadly as the person using it. A firearm cannot load, cock and fire itself. Such a device doesn't exist, and if it did, the only people who would possess such a device (or would want to, for that matter) are the military. If you leave a loaded firearm where a child not properly educated in firearms safety can get at it, it's your fault the child gets hurt or killed (or, as is often the case, a hole gets blasted through a wall in the house) as a result of what ensues. Videogames don't make serial killers, cars don't cause car accidents, booze doesn't create alcoholism, and guns don't cause shootings, they, like all others mentioned are a necessary implement of them. If you were to ban stimulating media, automobiles, alcohol and firearms, the potential problems they might cause could in theory be reduced, but consider the world you'd be forced to live in. I'd rather my neighbor was tuning up his M-60 than reporting me to the thought police. Or, I'd rather have pure liberty (market anarchy) than pure security (totalitarianism), if such a dichotomy exists, which I doubt it does. I'd be more secure from most threats and in my person if in a state of greater personal freedom.

  • cubedman990

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 3:08 am PT

    This guy's an idiot if he thinks a tax will fix it. Like others have said, this will skyrocket piracy...

  • PositiveFlow

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 2:47 am PT

    holy crap, wow.......good luck on getting the ball rolling on that.....100% game tax? no words to describe that.....oh i don't like hockey. So, i propose a 100% tax on ticket purchases to any hockey game. Also, i think the color brown is ugly, we should just eliminate it.

  • metro_23

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 2:20 am PT

    well after all it is texas... the state's legistator tried to make sodemy illegal and beastility legal. but i wouldn't be so worried he won't win. but what i don't understand is that he is trying to tax on objects that are harmful to children and yet in his proposal he didn't speak of any taxes on firearms.

  • WPack911

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 12:32 am PT

    And people always say that it's only the Democrats trying to bring video games down. Guess this proves them wrong Republicans seem to have a beef against video games to, and this one seems to want to eat game makers children (Mike Tyson style).

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