peel.

Fake tanners should be taxed ... but aren't

In most other countries, pale skin is sought after. Historically, a light complexion symbolized upper-class status shaded from agricultural and outdoor labor.

But Americans have to rebel, do it backwards. People actually pay money to wear geektard goggles and lay in lighted coffins and are willing to accept skin cancer for some fleeting shade of almost-brown-orange.

It is a multi-million dollar enterprise proven to cause cancer. It generates money by packaging subscription-based deals. Beds are overused, unsanitary and consume energy tastelessly.

A proposed 5 percent tax on cosmetic medical procedures was dropped over the weekend from the Senate version of the health reform bill.

I hope this is one day reconsidered— tanning salons should be taxed for its unsightly advertising, abhorring energy usage, detrimental effects on human health, increase in insurance premiums and opportunity cost of opening other small businesses among other reasons.