Oh yes! And this map is outdated, because Buffalo isn't even on here, nor is the one in Portland, Oregon. So, I wonder how many MORE we have living in this Country!
Posted on 06/08/2004 5:05:45 AM PDT by general_re
Smugglers with ties to terrorist groups are acquiring millions of dollars from illegal cigarette sales and funneling the cash to organizations such as al Qaeda and Hezbollah, federal law enforcement officials say, prompting a nationwide crackdown on black market tobacco.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has more than 300 open cases of illicit cigarette trafficking -- including several with terrorist links -- up from only a handful five years ago, ATF sources said.
"This is a major priority for us," said Michael Bouchard, assistant director of the ATF. "The deeper we dig into these cases, the more ties to terrorism we're discovering."
The lucrative trafficking of cigarettes, known as cigarette diversion, is a simple scheme but difficult to stop, law enforcement officials say. The traffickers purchase a large volume of cigarettes in states where the tax is low, such as Virginia and North Carolina, transport them up Interstate 95 to states such as Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey and then sell them at a discount without paying the higher cigarette taxes in those states.
With huge profits -- and low penalties for arrest and conviction -- illicit cigarette trafficking now has begun to rival drug trafficking as a funding choice for terrorist groups, said William Billingslea, an ATF senior intelligence analyst who has studied the issue extensively.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
When I buy I try to pay the lowest price, just like the buyers that are purchasing the bootleg cigs. When I sell I try to get the highest price.
Tax policy is similar. When representatives tax they try to raise the most revenues with the least amount amount of complaints. Taxing nonresidents or better yet taxing addicts is a common way to raise revenues for the greatest number. This is simply doing what capitalism requires. Acting in ones self interest.
So you are open to the fact that SHS at home is harmful?
Something women do sitting down and dogs do on three legs.
Sorry. Make that Gabz.
More unproven claims.
And then he immediately caused the commercial real estate market to crach by changing tax policy.
Wrong; taxes are not a voluntary exchange.
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. That is the philosophy in the following statement you made:
"FRankly, I want MY taxes to be lower. I don't care about the smokers taxes, only that they help reduce my burden."
You have a very dimented view of capitalism.
And is this a surprise to anyone?
The politicians overtax an unpopular product,for no other reason than they can,and they expect the users of those products to cough up the money without seeking an alternative.
The last I checked,bootleggers were not pillars of the community so what did these idiot politicians expect.
that's disgusting.
In a democratic republic they sure are. For example, without a common vote my town could not collect ANY property taxes.
If you had bothered to read the thread you would have seen my correction in a previous post.
Just doing YOUR homework for you......again.
Shaking hands is disgusting ?
I think it's unproven but believable, and probably none of the government's business.
Answer= Shaking hands.
Provide proof of your claim.
I stand while shaking hands........and my dogs sit while doing so.
Oh yes! And this map is outdated, because Buffalo isn't even on here, nor is the one in Portland, Oregon. So, I wonder how many MORE we have living in this Country!
If smokers are harming their children, either knowingly or through ignorance, at what point is it the government's business?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.