Are they going to tax internet video conferencing and Netmeeting next? Instant messaging?

Quiet, please. Let's not give them any ideas.

Although I believe that Europe is currently developing a Europe-wide high-speed rail system, Japan has had one for years.

Must be either underground or cloaked. It's no surprise the Japanese economy is in such trouble when they're wasting money building secret underground high-speed rail systems to make life easy for a few Japanese tourists.