By John-Henry Westen
ROME, December 9, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Italian ANSA news agency reported yesterday that a tax on pornography was introduced into the 2006 Budget bill which must be approved this month. The new 20 percent tax will be placed on the sale and rental of pornography, including porn on the internet or pay-TV. The proposal was put forward by MP Daniela Santanché of the National Alliance party.
According to ANSA, the pornography industry in the country brings in 1.1 billion euros every year.
A similar measure was proposed in the United States in October. Kansas State Representative Shari Weber said a 10% tax on pornography was justifiable because of the increase in sex crimes associated with increased access and viewing of pornography. Lawyers for sex shops argued that there was no connection between viewing porn and violent sex-related crime. However, nationally renowned homicide investigator, retired NYPD Lieutenant Commander Vernon Geberth, disagreed vehemently.
In a 2003 book titled Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation, Geberth argued that the internet is fuelling sex-related crime. Acting now as a consultant to police, he stated in his book, “The sex-related cases I am encountering today are more frequent, vicious and despicable than what I ever experienced as a homicide cop. There are more serial killers today. In my opinion, we have had a proliferation in serial murder events, as well as sex-related homicides.”
Beyond crime, internet pornography is costing businesses and governments millions of dollars in lost productivity of workers, as a result of surfing for pornography during work hours.
The National Post reported yesterday that forensic computer specialist Dave Ivorson pornography found on company computers is so pervasive he is shocked if he doesn’t find it. Speaking of internet use that can drastically reduce employee productivity Ivorson cited porn as the number one offender.“The waste of man hours spent looking at inappropriate material is unbelievable,” he said.