New increase of $2.00 Tax on ONE Pack of Cigs? - Taxes on Chips, Sodas and Alcohol - Congress Consid

Originally posted by Nineteen
Governments will take whatever they can from the powerless because they can. An economics lecturer told our MBA class (years ago) that it is a well known and proven fact that people will continue to imbibe regardless of the taxes. Look at the Swedes for example, whose alcohol taxes have been prohibitive for years...they still like a drink.


As far as I'm concerned we need to do away with governments altogether as the types it attracts these days no longer act for the good of their country or people, but for a vision of their own power over others and what they can get by positioning themselves as part of the soon to be realised single global fascist dictatorship. These people should not be on the streets let alone ruling over nations. We definitely need a new form of leadership in most countries of the world.

right i'm sure you'll want to abolish govt and let gangs rule just like in good old mexico. how is that working out for them? i'm sure you'd love to see your mother/sister/wife raped and killed in front of you because the gang boss did not get the protection tax he wanted from your family.

if you don't like who's currently representing you, show up for a vote next election instead of staying home (and this is not necessarily directed at you but at all who complain). if you don't like who is running, you can run for office.

i wish people would stop calling for chaos (which will result after a "revolution" that many want) and just go out and vote or register voters, volunteer for their candidate, etc. you have a voice and it's useless if you just sit on the sidelines and grumble.

as for taxes, luxuries will always be taxed in any society. people want luxuries and will cut back on other things rather than give them up. i think taxing is the right thing to do since it's not a basic necessity. food is not taxed in the US. most of europe has high taxes on food.

if you look at high class social events, a dinner plate costs thousands and even if you'd have that money you'd still need an invitation first. and of course you need to dress and shine (which is expensive)... that's a way of taxing the rich and for them it's a social must to participate or else they lose their status. everybody rich and poor pays their fair share.

All I've got to add the the conversation is this: if you don't like what your elected officials are doing, vote in somebody else. And not just someone from the same two political parties, elect some independents, Ron Paul, an outsider, anybody. They can do no worse. Let your elected reps know that if they bring in this new tax they will no longer have a public job, and FOLLOW THROUGH.

I absolutely agree with you wholeheartedly.

And yet at election time it's always the same old story.

Pledge to vote in Operation 'Cleansweep.' Vote against every incumbent for the next six years. Boycott both parties and vote for Independent, Libertarian, Constitutional, etc. candidates.

Right now you have NO CHOICE in National and State elections. Political machines raise the big money needed to run for office and the candidates then reward the campaign staffers with high paying government jobs that they are not qualified nor competent to handle. This causes resentment and jealousy in the lower ranks and chaos becomes the SOP. The same faces and names pop up for every election. There really is no choice in our elections. You either vote for whoever they put up or you don't vote at all.

Wake up folks this is our last chance. That is, if there are elections in 2010. It's looking doubtful.

reply to post by edgecrusher2199

Am I the only who sees this as a good thing

No. I am with you there. But we are the minority.

And for those that say "Revolution!"

There will be no "revolution" because that will mean people have to get off the couch and switch off the TV.

reply to post by questioningall


The NWO control the masses through foods. Think about it, there has been over production of foods, leading to lesser vitamin and mineral levels in our foods. The common person does not take vits etc and so the rates of caner etc have risen.

Cancer and other respiratory problems caused by smoking are just a tax on "their" resources that they do not lead. Therefore, through education, tax etc they are trying to cut down the amount of people who can and who choose to smoke.

Originally posted by Nicademus
reply to post by Bombeni

 

You are wrong.

I live on an Indian reservation.
Cigs are $2.80 on the res and $6+ just off the res.
Don't know where you got your info but its dead wrong.
Please don't talk out of your ass when you have no idea what you are talking about.

You're a very rude person.

I live in Tulsa Ok and the smoke shops here implemented the exact same tax hike in April that the regular stores did, which was EXACTLY what I said Joe.

it is very legal to grow your own tobacco, but it is a very difficult process to make a usable product yourself.

grow your own tobacco


boycotting these items will do nothing, remember kids:

the oil company makes about 2.5% profit per gallon of gasoline.

the gub'ment makes over 20% off that same gallon.

the same gub'ment who villified the 'greed' and 'profiteering' of the oil companies.

and what has happened?

people have bought less gasoline, thus reducing the tax revenue for the gub'ment.

their response?

will soon force drivers to have their miles traveled tracked via gps locators, and pay additional taxes based on miles!

they will find a way to get more of your money, which they feel is theirs.

big brother is expensive, and you will pay.

one way or another.

have a doubleplusgood day, comrades.

Firstly, I am against excessive taxation in any form and this is clearly an example of that.

Also, I think it's strange how in order to ease the health care cost burden they want to increase taxes on the things that are the biggest causes of health problems in the first place; cigarettes, alchohol, (soda and chips tie in with an unhealthy diet leading to health problems for many people).

I just don't understand this way of thinking:
The more people that smoke, drink, and don't eat healthy, then the more tax money available to be put towards health care for people who smoke, drink, and don't eat healthy.

reply to post by questioningall



Forget the Cigarettes and Beer... here is the real list of things that should be taxed.

1. They should put a $10 pole tax on any man who is strung out on Viagra.

2. Unwed women who have unplanned babies in excess of (5) by one night stands or sperm donors should pay a increased delivery tax base on... 1 being plain stupid, and 2 using too much of the earths resources.

3. There should be a heavy tax on over the top plastic surgery... If you are gonna get 44 magnum sized boobs to cause a car crash... you sure as hell should be taxed on em... cause they are now illegal weapons.

4. You should get a tax credit for having an interracial child.

5. Pedolfiles should be taxed up the ass on everything from cucumbers to Windex.

6. There should be a "Pets in small places tax" for those multiple pet owners who's dogs poop and pee on the only strip of green grass, then cowardly hide in the bushes as everyone is forced to dodge the digested Alpo.

7. There should be a "Muscle bound tax" All women who pump iron to the point they look like men should be taxed. All men who take steriods an blow their muscles out to look like freaks of nature should be taxed... and taxed again for peeing the 'used' Oid's back into the water supply.

8. And finally, if you have a DUI, you will not have to pay a court fine, but will be issued a "DRUNKcard" to be presented when you buy your next drink.... You will be taxed for a set duration of 5 years on every liquid beverage you buy. This will bring billions in revenue.

Just food for thought.


[edit on 14-5-2009 by Level X]

reply to post by Echo007


oh....pleaseee did you have to say that?

I'll die without my Big Mac....lol

I dont smoke but this is so wronge taxing people who do so outragously high!!!!!!!

and if(???) they fix the healthcare then will they drop the prices then??
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is crazy!!!

whats next? ice cream bigmacs

I like popcorn and a orange pop so Im sure that will be next..!!!!

and it seems they never fix/solve the problems and just keep taxing more!!!!!

taxing cigarettes to 8 dollars a pack is not the way to solve our problems...

what would happen if 99% people quit,,,,????
what would they do then????

I luv the USA with all my heart and I know we need tax's but this is getting out of hand.

some years back I got mad when companys move over seas but now I cant blame some of them because they'd be beankrupt if they didnt...

The US needs more jobs here and buying everything from China isnt helping us.

Its way to much!!!!

Normally I just stick to fun topics but I just had to vent...

oh,,smile...

Im Korean incase you think Im Chinese,,,I was adopted also and blessed to be an american!






[edit on 14-5-2009 by amyfriend]

Why not just ban smoking? It's a drug with no medicinal (sure, it lowers stress) value that kills many of its users. Sounds crazy when you stop to think about it. Try opening a bar that serves drinks laced with arsenic and see how long it takes to get yourself arreseted. It's pretty much the same thing.

I smoke, and if they add this tax I will stop instantly, as a lot of other people will do. When this happens, what will they tax next? Something to think about for all those people who militantly agree with the tax hike. They may go to your wallet next....

When does it stop? Everyone wears shoes, right? Add $20 to every pair you buy.

The US isn't officially communist yet, but we are well on our way to making sure we all have the same amount of money, which is very little.

I'm tired of the excuse also. The cost of healthcare?? How about limitations on what hospitals can charge? A friend of mine is going for an MRI as soon as he has enough money....$1500. I wish I could charge people $1500 to use my scanner.

So supposedly they are taxing cigs to prevent people from smoking,
but the only label on cigarette boxes "Quitting smoking now greatly reduces risks to your health"

Go ahead put the tax, but have some dignity, special interests (ie elites) are running this country. The day we are free is the day u buy a pack of smokes, and BIG BOLD letters you will see:

"THIS WILL KILL YOU"

reply to post by DarkSecret


1. I do not live in the U.S.

2. We get fined if we don't vote.
My votes mostly go to non-aligned candidates.

3. I said we need a new form of leadership and I add, with new structures to prevent manipulation by powerful forces...

4. Politics is a very dirty game at present and I would not choose to ever associate with such evil.
In reality the public are only ever given two choices and these are both pulled by the same string.

5. Why should smokers have to pay outrageous taxes for everyone else's healthcare when smokers deaths are generally fast once any related diagnosis is made and, in fact one of the cheapest deaths around, apart from the ones where people just drop dead unexpectedly (which would include many smokers). Try dementia, cancer, premature baby care or trauma induced brain damage for cost comparisons.

And last, but not least....thank God a new paradigm is emerging, as per the Gregorian Calendar's end date of 11:11a.m., 11th December, 2012 and the Mayan end-date of 21st December, 2012. There is something in this, and that is why so much truth is there to be seen these days. The corruption and errors of our societies have been there for a very long time, but it remained hidden from most people's consciousness. Personally I'm looking forward to the new aeon

reply to post by Jedimind

I just don't understand this way of thinking:
The more people that smoke, drink, and don't eat healthy, then the more tax money available to be put towards health care for people who smoke, drink, and don't eat healthy.

Good point.
I guess it only highlights that this has nothing to do with health but all to do with money.
If by chance, everyone who smoked, drank alcohol and ate junk food stopped tomorrow because they could not afford it, there would be total CHAOS.

These industries which supply thousands of jobs would cave in and go bankrupt, the government would have a huge multi billion dollar hole in their budget as well as have more people on the unemployment line.

Would any sane government want this scenario to happen?
No of course not.
They know that the majority will keep on with their smoking, drinking and eating junk food.

If we all wanted to really send a huge message to TPTB , a way is a smoke, drink and junk food free day. The loss of income from just one day would be enough of a taste of what could happen if people gave up entirely.

Protesting with our vote is a waste of time.
We should tap into PEOPLE POWER and protest with our purses and wallets by closing them for a day.


[edit on 15-5-2009 by Flighty]

No big, new news here. The government always raises so-called "sin" taxes on a regular basis to raise BIG revenue. They know that these taxes hit the lower-income demographic the hardest, but they don't care (even though they CLAIM that they care about lower-income people). These things are "bad", so they should have the living crap taxed out of them, regardless of who is hurt the most by it. Also, the politically correct upper classes who don't indulge get the smug satisfaction of thinking that they are somehow discouraging bad behavior among the hoi polloi (even though they aren't...they're just taxing the very people who can least afford it ever more money. It's just that the people being taxed are considered to be too ignorant to notice.)

They are using the excuse of punishing bad behavior to hammer the very people that they claim to want to help. Very interesting...tax the crap out of poor people in order to implement expensive and inefficient social programs? Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

So after they put these new taxes in place and people stop buying junk food, sodas, and cigarettes are we going to have another bailout for the companies that make those?