"We are presiding over the destruction of the traditional retailer."

The words in the header were uttered by a Republican. Perhaps Todd Young is reading?

Senate OKs Internet sales tax, by Jim Puzzanghera (Los Angeles Times)

The Marketplace Fairness Act allows states to require large online retailers with no physical presence in those states to collect sales taxes. The legislation now moves to the House.

WASHINGTON — The Senate gave strong bipartisan approval to landmark legislation that could largely lead to the end of the nation's decades-long Internet sales tax holiday.

Now the issue shifts to the more skeptical, Republican-controlled House, where the debate will revolve around one fundamental question: Does helping governments collect an existing and owed tax constitute a tax increase? ...

... some Republicans are pushing back on his interpretation. They said the legislation raises no new taxes and just helps level the playing field between online and traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers.

"There are people on my side of the aisle admittedly who are not going to be favorable to anything that may even hint of a tax increase," said Steve Womack (R-Ark.), the lead House sponsor.

"And that's regretful," he said, "because we are presiding over the destruction of the traditional retailer that has been the backbone of American business for a long, long time."

This week in closing loopholes: Marketplace Fairness Act.

What a novel idea: A slight pinprick of personal inconvenience, but better for us all?

Why I Love the National Internet Sales Tax Plan; You might end up paying more, but it’ll be good for America, by Farhad Manjoo (Slate)

... Instead of imposing a new tax, this bill addresses a tax-evasion scheme. If you want to argue that states should abolish or lower sales taxes on all businesses, both offline and online, that’s fine. But none of the critics are pushing for cutting sales taxes for everyone—in fact, conservatives generally see sales taxes as preferable to income taxes. Instead, by opposing this bill, they’re merely arguing for an unequal policy—that some businesses should collect sales taxes and other should not.