I was under the impression Amazon had warehouses that end up delivering in most states, since I (thought I) pay tax on purchases in my state. The point is, it's not just Amazon. Amazon is a minor part of it. They're talking about causing anyone who advertises on a California website to be a California taxpayer.
That's ridiculous. I'm sure I must be considered as one of the top few percent of people who pay attention to news. What happens with advertisers who are less in-tune with intra-state events? What happens with people who buy ads through an ad agency who puts their ads on California websites? What happens to direct buyers who don't know any better?
Do you see what I mean now by unwilling and unknowing?
And let's forget about the US Constitution. One comment here put it as "clear." It's not quite as clear as saying "the US govt has power to tax interstate commerce," but anyone I've known as a constitutional "scholar" agrees with that:
The original constitution- article 1, section 8, says the US Congress has the duty and right:
"To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; "
Then later they mention that "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
Most people forget about that 10th amendment (and the 9th as well!)
You see, the power of regulating commerce among the several states was delegated by the Constitution to the United States. It's not up to California.
"Really, this needs a national solution..."
No, it doesn't. California charges an income AND sales tax. Plenty of states do fine without an income tax. Plenty of states do fine without a sales tax that over-reaches authority.
This is absurdity asked by a government who has no apparent concept of reality with the rest of the world.