Remember a few weeks ago when the news broke that the health-insurance reform bill included a "Bo-Tax," a levy on cosmetic surgical procedures? Well, in the current version of the Senate bill, that proposed tax has been eliminated, thanks to lobbying by the American Medical Association, which objected to the provision. (Goddam doctors might lose some income!)
Well, ever devoted to protecting government revenues, the good doctors suggested that a better idea would be to add a 10 percent tax tax on tanning services. The president of the Indoor Tanning Association noted: "We do have a lobbying presence in Washington, but not to the extent of the medical industry." Ha. That's for sure.
So, if this passes, all my narcissistic students who regularly hie themselves off to tanning salons will be contributing more to the public treasury. Who says this isn't a wonderful world?
UPDATE: More on this here.