Amazon Associates Contracts Terminated in California

Okay, I have been living with my head in the sand. I have been so busy that keeping up with news of any sort is very, very low (non-existent) on my priority list. So, yesterday, when I was getting emails from Amazon about associate relationships with Californians I was surprised. Today its official. Our governor signed a bill to allow  "the state's tax board to collect sales tax from online retailers that have relationships with an affiliate."

Wow. This is the first I'd heard of this. So Amazon and Overstock have said "Nuh-uh" and have terminated affiliate relationships with Californians. I know, California is not the first and only state to have this happen. Personally, I haven't had any luck with the affiliate route. I've made a couple of dollars from google but not enough to have even received a check yet. So, my own fiscal impact is nothing.  But, damn! I've also lost any future potential.

What I don't understand is why the home state of Silicon Valley is so backward in its thinking?
They already make it difficult to conduct business in this state (factories have been fleeing for years). California is crying foul because when we make an online purchase, we don't pay sales tax (unless purchasing from a retailer based in California). We are supposed to claim these on our tax returns so that we can pay this tax later on. No one does. Seriously, California, why would I help you to rape me? Again and again? The same dollar gets taxed so many freakin' times already.

Oh well. Buh-bye Amazon. I will still shop you. I totally support your decision. Why should you be mixed up in our mess? Oh, and for the record - I did not vote for Jerry Brown. Why would anyone think that a '70's throwback could fix this 21st century mess that we're in now?