It seems to me that Internet sellers of jewelry are getting a free ride. Far be it from me to advocate additional taxes on anyone or any business. If memory serves me correctly, it's about the first of May when we all start working for ourselves instead of the federal and state governments. That's the date our income tax obligations are fulfilled for the current year. Come to think of it, the timing adds insult to injury. The annual income tax filing date for 2006—April 17 this year—has just passed, and we haven't earned enough to pay for our 2007 tax liability. Interesting.
The retail jewelry business is fairly stable from a macro perspective. In total, revenue rises approximately 5 percent to 7 percent each year. On the local level, however, competition is fierce. There are the regional chains fighting it out with the national chains, and every year it seems that the backbone of