[Sub-Driver]

But it's for the children.....oh boo hoo.

[samtheman]

What happens if the taxes on cigarettes increase so much that people stop smoking? What will the tax then?

[KingSnorky]

Let “the children” pay for their own insurance by buying the cigarettes. :)

[enough_idiocy]

problem is, poor children suffer because their parents grow more stressed at having less money thanks to the gov’t there to “help” them. These tax increases kill the lower class they’re supposed to help.

[fightin bronco]

This bill is a sham. The “stealth” way of moving toward socialized medicine.

[edcoil]

Isn’t this the $10.00 tax on cigars?

Guess politicans don’t care since they pick up there’s at duty free while on the taxpayer funded junkets.

[Osage Orange]

ACTION ALERT FOR ALL CIGAR ENTHUSIASTS!

Currently before the United States Senate is a proposal to fund health insurance on the backs of tobacco products to the tune of $35 billion (that's Billion with a B).

Most egregious is the proposed tax rate on cigars of 53.1%, including a breathtaking 20,400% increase in the cap.

This would make handmade cigars - a true mom-and-pop industry, a product enjoyed by choice an average 3 times per week - the single largest excise taxed item in the entire Internal Revenue Code....by a long shot.

This piece of legislation is called SCHIP (State Childrens Health Insurance Plan). Tonight this bill is being marked up in the Senate Finance Committee and is expected to come to the Senate floor for a vote as early as end of week.

We urge you to call both of your U.S. Senators today and express your opposition to funding "SCHIP legislation" with punitive cigar taxes. As a constituent your voice will be heard. Please see phone numbers below for your Senators. Sincerely,

Keith Meier

Cigars International

[kingu]

I remember reading once about some revolt over taxes, something about Boston Harbor? Ahh, well, it was a long, long time ago. Best get out more money to give to the United States government.

[Dixie Yooper]

I heard an interesting statistic on the radio (so I know it’s true) the other day. In North Carolina over the last 30 years, everytime the state raises the cigarette tax, two wonderful things happen; 1st, the number of quitters increase and second, the tax revenues go up.

[Publius6961]

The renewal of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, is considered by many to be the most important health legislation that Congress will take up this year.
"Members of Congress have decided, however, to expand the program to include, in some cases, up to families earning $80,000 a year — which would cause people to drop their private insurance in order to be involved with a government insurance plan," Bush said in a speech in suburban Maryland.

I'm sure it's very important; it's for the "children".
Here's the problem: taxing a distinct small group exclusively for a universally public benefit, no matter how "worthy", is or should be unconstitutional.

In addition, defining certain groups as exempt from taxes at all, but allowing them to vote for tax increases is a perversion of the "taxation without representation" that defies belief. There should be a floor to taxes, overlapping exactly the benefits-obligation underlying principle.

Other than that, no problem.

[absolootezer0]

incomes under $80k?
cool, i could drop my current health insurance and save $600/month.
probably get lower co-pays too.

/sarc

[Gabz]

Nanny State Ping.........

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

Creeping socialism.

Also, if taxes make cigarettes too expensive, it will stimulate an underground economy for cigarettes. This is a big problem in Germany, where legal, taxed cigarettes are very expensive.

[freekitty]

Yeah, right. Now, the fat police are weighing in. Have you ever priced a package of bologna?

[Hot Tabasco]

President Bush on Wednesday reiterated his threat to veto Senate legislation that would substantially increase funds for children's health insurance

Damn baby killing bush.......... /sarc

For the record tho, my gov (perky Gov. Granholm) admitted that the latest tax on tobacco was to fund the state coffers for an overspending state budget. Evidently she and the state had worn out the sameo-sameo excuse of blaming the smokers for the increase in healthcare in Michigan........but they still need our money LOL!

[Eric Blair 2084]

Like we've been saying for years now...THIS IS NOT ABOUT CIGARS OR CIGARETTES...it's about Freedom from the fetid breath of tyranny in the name of a Socialist Utopia and the "greater good".

[ran20]

I feel like I’m in the Soviet Union during maybe the early 80’s. Starting to get more things on the black market, as the taxes, regulation, legal costs etc of products on the open market are spiraling out of control.. and invested most of my money out of the country a few years back, to get higher returns:).

[George W. Bush]

On Friday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the Senate signaled their support for a $35 billion increase

Just who the hell is in this "bipartisan group"?