Letters to the Editor: Reaction to Marketplace Fairness Act Editor's Note

I agree, the internet tax issue is a real problem. My biggest fear is the costly red tape that online retailers would have to endure to comply with the thousands of regulations. It will drive smaller operators out of business.

My solution, if there's to be any tax at all, would be to just have retailers charge their own state's taxes on their sales and pay their own state, since that's really where they're located. It would eventually even out for all states concerned. Otherwise, I think big players like Amazon.com could use its mega-resources to squeeze more little guys out. I have a big problem in my own situation. We used to be able to ship wine directly to the consumer, but our previous governor outlawed the direct shipping of wine by retailers to consumers. That killed 98 percent of my gift business. While it's illegal, retailers and "wine clubs" from other states continue to flood Michigan with wines. I'm lobbying to get the law changed to allow us to jump back into the competition. We're severely hampered by the current Michigan law.

John Russo
CEO
Carrettino Italian Market & Wine