Maine: Store Owner Pulls Cigarettes To Protest Tax Increase

News Center ^ | 6-23-05

[SheLion]

The owner of a discount store in Oxford has halted the sale of cigarettes to protest the Legislature's approval of a dollar-a-pack increase in the cigarette tax.OXFORD, Maine (AP) -- Manager Mike Sturgis of C and R Redemption said the store's owner, Ron Snow, disapproves of what the state is doing and wanted to take a stand.

Sturgis said his boss, who's not a smoker, feels the new tax is unfair because it would discriminate against those who smoke.

The doubling of the cigarette tax to two dollars a pack was approved by the Legislature as part of a bill to balance the state budget. If Governor John Baldacci signs the bill, it would take effect in September.

[SheLion]

Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine wants the state to be tobacco free, yet Baldacci and his ilk can't balance the state budget without smoker's tax dollars.

Talking out of both sides of their mouths. 

[deadeyedawg]

That's what happens when Dims are in charge. I guess that Somali population in Lewiston Maine needs mo money, mo money, mo money!

[SheLion]

[dts32041]

Doesn't matter, they rats in Augusta will up the snack tax, and the T-shirt shoppe tax.

[billclintonwillrotinhell]

The owner of a discount store in Oxford has halted the sale of cigarettes...

A cure for lung cancer!

[Publius6961]

In my perfect world, eventually smokers get their act together and file suit against each state (separately) for abuse of power under color of authority and violation of civil rights (equal protection) and are awarded refunds of all excessive taxes previously paid.

What's excessive? A simple test can be made. How many products in the history of the country have been taxed 20 times what it costs to produce the product?
Not a whole lot, I suspect.

[Publius6961]

Is there a cure for ignorant tiny controlling twits?

[clee1]

Yes.... They respond well to hot lead injections.

[RandallFlagg]

Hopefully, those who used to get their smokes there will get motivated into action against this discriminatory crap.

So, how soon until YOU start growing your's?

[SheLion]

That's what happens when Dims are in charge. I guess that Somali population in Lewiston Maine needs mo money, mo money, mo money!

This just burns me up! And we heard that Baldacci just brought in 400 more immigrants to Lewiston and Portland. Can't you hear me screaming?

[SheLion]

A cure for lung cancer!

Now if we could only find a cure for CINO Bigots. That would be a happy day!

[SheLion]

How many products in the history of the country have been taxed 20 times what it costs to produce the product?

It blows one's mind!

[SheLion]

So, how soon until YOU start growing your's?

Oh Randall! Never!

I roll my own, that's enough. If I had to go to all that trouble of growing my own tobacco, I'd quit. :)

[Archangelsk]

Under that scenario, does Michael Schaivo get to file a law suit against Jeb Bush for abuse of power?

[RandallFlagg]

I dunno. Post #120 on my journal thread intrigued me:
"I grow tobacco because I like doing so. I get a superior and clean product, that is probably worth about $30.00 a pack. Since it is not for sale, it is all mine.

Imagine, me, a poor farmer, siting back and enjoying a $5.00 cigarette with a glass of home made (easily worth $100.00 a glass) Blackberry wine."

[newsgatherer]

Gonna drive over to check, but the word around here is that he is putting up a sgn suggesting New Hapshire, somehtng to the effect of

"Due to the 2 dollar disadvantage in price due to the communist tax of 2 dollars on cigarettes, we can no longer compete with New Hapshire stores that sell cigarettes for 20 dollars a cartoon less than stores in maine. Remember, when you purchase cigrettes or anything in tax free New Hampshire you are required to repeort it and pay the taxes on it in Maine"

One of us whould get over there in the enxt day or so, if it is true, about the sign, I'll report it second here.

[RandallFlagg]

That's pretty good. If anyone has a pic, it'd be handy.

[joesnuffy]

The feds are smart

Don't give back taxes you get from taxpayers back to their home states..

This forces the porcine ones to try to raise state taxes even
higher

Making them less popular at home..eventually to be thrown out
or at least made to sit up and beg to the feds

It's all about people control and getting them pay to for it...like it...even demand it...

imo

[Sunshine Sister]

So what else is new? This happens in every state where cigerettes are legal. They say we have to raise taxes to help smokers quit. Somewhat of a paradox....?????

The supreme court in KS decided that we have to put another 143 mil toward school financing. Let me guess who's taxes are going up. That is until the court gets slapped down and we all know how long that takes!

[SheLion]

I dunno. Post #120 on my journal thread intrigued me: "I grow tobacco because I like doing so. I get a superior and clean product, that is probably worth about $30.00 a pack. Since it is not for sale, it is all mine.

Well, I am just not one to work out in the yard. My 15 pots of flowers out there are lucky to get my attention. heh! :)