Christmas tree tax: About, face!

That Drudge man, he be powerful! When you get 100 million hits or so per month, you sway opinion whether you are trying to or not. Remmeber this morning's Christmas Tree Tax?

The administration has folded. Obama Administration to Delay New 15-Cent Christmas Tree Tax.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is going to delay implementation and revisit a proposed new 15 cent fee on fresh-cut Christmas trees, sources tell ABC News. The fee, requested by the National Christmas Tree Association in 2009, was first announced in the Federal Registry yesterday and has generated criticism of President Obama from conservative media outlets. ...

White House spokesman Matt Lehrich told ABC News that despite some media coverage, “I can tell you unequivocally that the Obama Administration is not taxing Christmas trees. What’s being talked about here is an industry group deciding to impose fees on itself to fund a promotional campaign, similar to how the dairy producers have created the ‘Got Milk?’ campaign.”

Nonetheless, the criticisms have apparently had an impact as the program is now being delayed.

“USDA is going to delay implementation and revisit this action,” Lehrich said.

If members of an industry group want to assess a 15-cent fee upon each item they sell, no problem. What I don't understand is why the federal government needs to be involved at all. Of course, that's a dumb question to ask when it concerns this administration.