The Home Economist: 06.11

Dear Friends,

Normally I keep this blog very light and almost never political, with the exception of a snarky Tweet over there on the right every now and then. But today I got an email from Amazon that affects me and this blog directly, so I thought I'd share. If you're bored already, move on with my blessings, and come back later when I have more fun things to share. If you take a quick look around my blog page here, you'll notice that I've removed the Amazon search box, My Amazon Store, and an ad at the bottom of the page. I was a member of the Amazon Associates Program that allows you to earn commission from Amazon by successfully referring a customer to Amazon via my site here. As of today, however, as a Connecticut resident, our new governor, Dan Malloy signed an unconstitutional and very business unfriendly law into effect that now prohibits me from doing this. Feel free to read the email below from Amazon explaining the situation.

Anyway, I'm really not happy about this. so today I'm using my blog as my own private soapbox. Don't we have enough problems in CT, Mr. Malloy, without you making things even worse for everyone? I personally had a bad feeling and a bias against him from the very beginning. Back when he was just starting to run for office, before the race started to heat up, we were at a Rock Cats baseball game on the same night. He was going around introducing himself and campaigning, as politicians do. We were volunteering with people from CREC (Capital Region Education Council), and even though he was standing mere feet away form our table for quite a while, sometimes just chatting with his aid, he never came over to talk to us. Talk about a missed opportunity to discuss education! But then there was this: for part of the game he was seated very close to us, with his aid, watching the game. Then he got up and left, leaving his trash (beverage and whatnot) under his seat. This bugged me. A man who is trying to seem like an Average Joe at a ballgame is too good to throw away his own trash, and leaves it for others to clean up? At that point, I knew nothing about his politics, but was instantly turned off. Obviously he hasn't redeemed himself in my eyes.

OK, RANT OVER. LET'S KNIT!

Hello,For well over a decade, the Amazon Associates Program has worked with thousands of Connecticut residents. Unfortunately, the budget signed by Governor Malloy contains a sales tax provision that compels us to terminate this program for Connecticut-based participants effective immediately. It specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers - including but not limited to those referred by Connecticut-based affiliates like you - even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state.

We opposed this new tax law because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It was supported by big-box retailers, most of which are based outside Connecticut, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue. We deeply regret that we must take this action.

As a result of the new law, contracts with all Connecticut residents participating in the Amazon Associates Program will be terminated today, June 10, 2011. Those Connecticut residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to Amazon.com, Endless.com,MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com. Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned on or before today, June 10, 2011, will be processed and paid in full in accordance with the regular payment schedule.

You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you are a resident of Connecticut. If you are not currently a resident of Connecticut, or if you are relocating to another state in the near future, you can manage the details of your Associates account here. And if you relocate to another state after June 10, 2011, please contact us for reinstatement into the Amazon Associates Program.

To avoid confusion, we would like to clarify that this development will only impact our ability to offer the Associates Program to Connecticut residents and will not affect their ability to purchase from www.amazon.com.

We have enjoyed working with you and other Connecticut-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program and, if this situation is rectified, would very much welcome the opportunity to re-open our Associates Program to Connecticut residents.

Regards,The Amazon Associates Team

My sister gave me a great knitting book in April for my birthday, Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel. I find that a lot of sweater patterns are rather boxy, over-sized, and otherwise have a lot more ease (extra room) than I want in a sweater. I like my clothes to be fitted, not frumpy! This book solves that problem with 25 stylish, attractive, and fitted patterns that range in difficulty from easy to experienced.

I'm working on a cotton short-sleeve tunic top that I'll be able to wear in warmer weather (although not hot weather, of course!). It's unique in that it's knit side-to-side instead of top-down or bottom up. It uses randomly placed knits and purls that you improvise yourself to create a dash-line Morse code look. I'm using Cascade Yarns "Cotton Club" in a light blue.