*Sigh* Connecticut representative asking for taxes/warnings on M-Rated video games. - Polidicks

[quote][B]Connecticut State Representative DebraLee Hovey says "countless studies" have proven that violent video games provoke aggressive and violent behavior, particularly among children and teenagers. [/B] Last year, in the wake of the mass murder at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, State Representative DebraLee Hovey [URL="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/121926-Connecticut-Considers-Violent-Videogame-Tax"]proposed a new tax[/URL] on all M-rated video games. The surcharge, a whopping ten percent, would go to the state's Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, "to educate families on the warning signs of video game addiction and antisocial behavior." The proposed law was not passed, but Hovey isn't giving up. In a recently-penned opinion piece posted on the Connecticut House Republicans website, she wrote that making it harder to buy guns and high-capacity magazines won't change the "endemic culture of violence" in the U.S., and said that mandating warning labels on M-rated games and applying extra taxes to them is the "obvious" way to protect society from violence. "Countless studies, including a recent 2014 piece out of Iowa State University, have attributed the playing of violent video games with noticeable increases - in both frequency and severity - of aggressive behavior. This is true particularly among children and teens. According to that same study, more than 90% of video games rated E10+ or higher contain violent content, which is often justified and portrayed as 'fun'," she wrote. "Moreover, it is now common knowledge that Adam Lanza was known to play these violent video games for hours a day. If we can educate consumers about mature video games as violent behavior triggers, and put more resources into researching contributing factors of violent behavior, why wouldn't we?" [url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/134202-Connecticut-Lawmaker-Calls-For-Taxes-Warning-Labels-On-M-Rated-Games]Source.[/url][/quote] I swear, some of the politicians in my state are just plain backwards.

I encourage everyone who lives in that state to write a letter to their representatives and tell them to vote this down.

and violent tv, movies, and books will go on without this because people are fucking retarded

I wouldn't mind less kids spamming voice chat.

[QUOTE=Charades;44713729]I wouldn't mind less kids spamming voice chat.[/QUOTE] a 10% tax wouldn't stop kids from getting it, they aren't paying for the games in most cases anyways

[QUOTE=Ninja Gnome;44713712]and violent tv, movies, and books will go on without this because people are fucking retarded[/QUOTE] No, they go unnoticed because that war's already been lost. Video games are the new kid on the block, so they're getting the same treatment that comic books and music got years ago.

[QUOTE=Ninja Gnome;44713746]a 10% tax wouldn't stop kids from getting it, they aren't paying for the games in most cases anyways[/QUOTE] We should put voice recognition software in video games, that'll solve everyone's problems. On second thought, it might be hard to differentiate the kids from the women.

I feel like a small detail, like his mothers gun safe being unlocked in a home with someone they knew was unstable, is infinitely more important than what video games he played.

[QUOTE=Charades;44713784]We should put voice recognition software in video games, that'll solve everyone's problems. On second thought, it might be hard to differentiate the kids from the women.[/QUOTE] Better yet to overcome such issues, why not make it text to speech and have [I]that[/I] go through voice recognition? Wait. [video=youtube;Hv6RbEOlqRo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv6RbEOlqRo[/video] AEIO- [I]User was kicked from server - Reason: TTS spam)[/I]

There is a warning against children playing violent video games. It's in the bottom left corner and it says "MATURE 17".

Ban Shakespeare for the countless stabbings/poisonings/underage sex/etc.

Aren't new games up by 10% already? Most new releases cost $70 now.

[QUOTE=TurtleeyFP;44713943]There is a warning against children playing violent video games. It's in the bottom left corner and it says "MATURE 17".[/QUOTE] But that would mean parents need to accept more responsibility :( In all seriousness though, after working at Gamestop for 4+ years, it's [I]staggering[/I] how many parents/guardians just straight up don't care or have given up.

[QUOTE=Explosions;44713945]Ban Shakespeare for the countless stabbings/poisonings/underage sex/etc.[/QUOTE] Also, [URL="http://www.nosweatshakespeare.com/resources/shakespeare-insults/"]that dude was mean as shit. [/URL] :v: [QUOTE]“Thou art as fat as butter.”[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]“Peace, ye fat guts!”[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]“Your virginity breeds mites, much like a cheese.”[/QUOTE]

I was gonna say that if it passes it should encompass all violent media, but then I realized that's just as bad and doesn't accomplish anything other than making a point. Yeah, this guy is a moron.

[QUOTE=RichyZ;44713962]add another tax on top of that also online purchases generally don't reach 70 (unless its amazon and you need to pay for shipping)[/QUOTE] When buying a physical copy, it seems to be $70 for us [url]http://www.ebgames.ca/[/url] , look at most anticipated. Maybe it's just Canada

[quote]The surcharge, a whopping ten percent, would go to the state's Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, "to educate families on the warning signs of video game addiction and antisocial behavior."[/quote] Are you some form of retard? There's practically no link between cause and effect to the playing of violent vidya and mass murder of any kind. Everybody just likes to conveniently ignore the other elephants in the room that led to the incidents in the first place (bullying, social ostracism, and the like) and say "durr they played GTA, Doom, that's what caused it, ban all violent games!!!1" Knee-jerk reactions aren't going to help matters. It's as simple as that. But unfortunately, the people in power simply cannot or will not try to understand the exact underpinnings of cause and effect when it comes to anything, not just this, so I really have no idea when we'll see any change to the contrary. In any case, I wonder if they'll start introducing huge statutory warning labels on video game boxes like they did for cigarettes.

Even if you look at sources linking video games to aggression (which are dubious at best), you still haven't made the leap to violence. Football causes children to be aggressive. Playing tag causes aggression. Hell, playing poker with grandma can cause aggression. There's no reason to single out video games.

[QUOTE=Zonesylvania;44714040]Are you some form of retard? There's practically no link between cause and effect to the playing of violent vidya and mass murder of any kind. Everybody just likes to conveniently ignore the other elephants in the room that led to the incidents in the first place (bullying, social ostracism, and the like) and say "durr they played GTA, Doom, that's what caused it, ban all violent games!!!1" Knee-jerk reactions aren't going to help matters. It's as simple as that. But unfortunately, the people in power simply cannot or will not try to understand the exact underpinnings of cause and effect when it comes to anything, not just this, so I really have no idea when we'll see any change to the contrary. In any case, I wonder if they'll start introducing huge statutory warning labels on video game boxes like they did for cigarettes.[/QUOTE] Honestly, knowing how this state spends money (There's a bathroom at Hammonasset State Park that cost upwards of $1,000,000) it's a giant red flag when this woman is saying that violent videogames should be taxed extra. Just makes me think they're looking for more money and videogames are a convenient scapegoat to do so.

[QUOTE=JeanLuc761;44714078]Honestly, knowing how this state spends money (There's a bathroom at Hammonasset State Park that cost upwards of $1,000,000) it's a giant red flag when this woman is saying that violent videogames should be taxed extra. Just makes me think they're looking for more money and videogames are a convenient scapegoat to do so.[/QUOTE] 10 cents says that 90% of it was pinched for 'other uses' and the bill was completely altered to reflect that fact. Wouldn't be the first time it's happened and probably not going to be the last, even with inflation going the way it's been these days.

Legalize weed, tax it, BOOM, you've just taxed nearly half the gamer population and the legal weed will keep them calm and non-violent.

[QUOTE=JeanLuc761;44714078]Honestly, knowing how this state spends money (There's a bathroom at Hammonasset State Park that cost upwards of $1,000,000) it's a giant red flag when this woman is saying that violent videogames should be taxed extra. Just makes me think they're looking for more money and videogames are a convenient scapegoat to do so.[/QUOTE] Contrary to popular belief here, our state's government is fairly fiscally responsible.

I'm a Connecticut resident that's currently writing a letter to that woman.

[QUOTE=Charades;44713784]We should put voice recognition software in video games, that'll solve everyone's problems. On second thought, it might be hard to differentiate the kids from the women.[/QUOTE] Almost completely true, until you see women having more "manly" voices than actual male kids.

Good thing Steam doesn't have taxes! [img]http://facepunch.com/image.php?u=762&dateline=1298334213[/img]

Oh look, another senile old politician who forgot to take her meds again. Seems like it hasn't been happening too much lately, tbh.

This goes against the 1st amendment. Video games are taxed as a product, but taxing them because of their content goes against free speech. not constitutional/10

Studies also have proven that dumbass politicians provoke aggressive and violent behavior.

Bullshit I'll played Team Fortress 2 since MIDDLE SCHOOL and I've rarely injured someone on purpose

[QUOTE=R.M.T.B.;44714852]Bullshit I'll played Team Fortress 2 since MIDDLE SCHOOL and I've rarely injured someone on purpose[/QUOTE] doesn't matter you're a baby killing cop assaulting serial killer