Last week the Argentine Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of the bicameral legislature) passed a bill which increases internal taxes along with value added tax to a series of technology products, including (but not limited to) computers and mobile phones.

In the next few days this bill will be subject to revision by the Senate where an approval would turn it into law. After being enacted, the final price on these goods will be finally placed out of reach of most of the population in Argentina.

We feel that the only way to progress and improvement is through more and better education. In this sense, the lack of access to technology means running the risk of exponentially increasing the number of digital illiterates, to whom “later” might be too late in a world where this skill means competitive advantage.

As bloggers and otherwise users of every single item affected by this bill, but first and foremost, as citizens, we cannot stand still and in silence. That is why we feel it is crucial to explain and illustrate why this is so important to our government, and the population as a whole. This tax will hold back growth, our integration into the global community and most important will lead future generations to see technology as a luxury and not a right.

It was our idea to show how things would be, if we went back 10, 20 or 30 years back in time. Pictures that show not only the amazing progress done in the last three decades but also a clear image of how important it is not to fall behind, but move along as a society head to head with the rest of the world.

http://www.noalimpuestazo.com

PARA JONATAN:

Vos por quien votaste en als ultimas elecciones?
Crees que la argentina anda tan bien como lo dice en INDEC o otras org del Estado?
Estamos en un pais con cada dia mas pobreza, robos, enfermedades como el degue pero el goierno no hace NADA, vos crees q este impuesto va a salvar al pais?
Segun la presidenta las nuevas fabricas en Tierra del Fuego van a aportar 2000 puestos labolares, sabes cuantos van a tener que cerrar sus negocios por la incapacidad de comprar mercaderia extranjera? o vos crees que las computadoras se empezaran a fabricar despues de 2 diaas de la aprobacion de la ley?
Te lo digo por experiencia, aca en la linea sur hay getne que muere congelados por las temperaturas bajo cero o vive en casas ehchas con carton, palos y chapa en el medio del desierto, te parece eso justo a vos? Critina o el gob ahce algo pro ellos?
Crees que esta propuesta ayuda al pais pero la verdad que hay temas MUCHO mas importantes que arreglar, como salvar las vidas de las miles de personas que viven en condiciones mucho peores de las que te podes imaginar.

If this bill is applied it will take like 3/5 years (in argentina mabye 50 years) until “real” industries start porducing goods to replace.

Besides with the new Gas and electricity “fines” (400% raise) it is already hard to pay for basic service.

So, dont come and defend a president who was voted by the poor because all the money goes to “social plans” which goverment trades for “support” and to gain votes.
This goverment is a lie and it is bringin the country into disgrace.
Energy crisis decalred like 8 years ago and still no even 1 dolar invested to improve this situtaion.. as consecuence.. 8 years of raise in Electricy and gas billas + fines to those who excede the maximum they decide.

So, Jonatan.. please.. do not defend whats imposible to defend.. everyone knows that her goverment is pure bullshit.

If anything, the “success story” of Tierra del Fuego should be an incentive for more tax breaks in other provinces of the country, not for further tax hikes!

Still, I'd like to point out that Argentina's cellphone penetration (99.8%) and internet penetration (~50%) rates are on the same level as European countries like Italy or France, so while considerably expensive, technology is still not as much of a luxury as the article (or the government) would seem to imply.

No kidding, such a rich country being so poor.