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Maine: Taxing the smoke you breathe
Republican Journal ^ | 7-8-05 | Peter Cook

Posted on 07/08/2005 6:21:56 AM PDT by SheLion

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To: SheLion

I think that's exactly right. And that's also why I'm fairly certain that nothing will be done to stop this until legislatures take one step too far.

By then, it may very well be too late to stop or reverse the process.


21 posted on 07/08/2005 9:18:46 AM PDT by exnavychick (There's too much youth; how about a fountain of smart?)
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To: SheLion

Great article and great cartoon.


22 posted on 07/08/2005 9:27:22 AM PDT by Mears (Keep the government out of my face!)
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To: SheLion

Looking at that cartoon just infuriates me.

After what I've been through this past week directly related to the abuse of alcohol I see alcohol as the demon,not cigarettes.


23 posted on 07/08/2005 9:34:59 AM PDT by Mears (Keep the government out of my face!)
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To: Mears
after what I've been through this past week directly related to the abuse of alcohol I see alcohol as the demon, not cigarettes.

Mears, check out this article in the Boston.Com.  Talking about alcohol.  The state is now going after drinkers.

Man sues for right to be drunk on private property

Eric Laverriere, 25, of Portland, Maine, was taken into protective custody by Waltham police and locked in a cell for nine hours until the effects of the alcohol wore off.

Legal experts said his lawsuit, filed this week in U.S. District Court in Boston, is the first to challenge a state law allowing police to lock up drunk people against their will.

24 posted on 07/08/2005 10:04:55 AM PDT by SheLion (Donate to Free Republic! Help keep our forum free!!!)
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To: SheLion

You should have added (For Now) at the bottom of that bumper sticker. Lest you forget...They're working on it.


25 posted on 07/08/2005 12:23:07 PM PDT by The Foolkiller ( Why......That sounds.....FOOLish!)
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To: Mears

I see alcohol as the demon,not cigarettes.




I've told it here before, Mears-my stepfather,who was an alcoholic-and stayed sober for not quite 50 years before dying a year ago, said to me more than once-" I don't get why they're demonizing smokers in this country. Never have understood it. Alcohol is the worst & most-abused drug in this country. Always has been, always will be."


26 posted on 07/08/2005 12:33:58 PM PDT by The Foolkiller ( Why......That sounds.....FOOLish!)
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To: SheLion

BUMP!


27 posted on 07/08/2005 1:48:29 PM PDT by RandallFlagg (Roll your own cigarettes! You'll save $$$ and smoke less!(Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name)
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To: The Foolkiller
You should have added (For Now) at the bottom of that bumper sticker. Lest you forget...They're working on it.

Yes, I know.

Maine already passed a law that Foster parents aren't allowed to smoke in their own vehicle 24 hours prior to having the Foster kids inside. I just shake my head.

28 posted on 07/08/2005 2:20:47 PM PDT by SheLion (Donate to Free Republic! Help keep our forum free!!!)
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To: SheLion

Demonize it, then take the money.

It's an age old ploy of rulers.

France did it with the Knights Templar order in the Middle Ages.

"Templars were targeted by Philip the Fair, King of France, who was desperately in need of money. On October 13, 1307, most of the order’s members in France were arrested and imprisoned. Charges ranged from sodomy to witchcraft to desecration of the crucifix. Philip’s propaganda master, William of Nogaret, effectively used very old political and religious devices to turn public opinion thoroughly against the Templars."

The King then confiscated the wealth of the order.

http://www.adambennington.com/military_orders/templars.html


29 posted on 07/08/2005 2:38:44 PM PDT by Age of Reason
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To: SheLion

Question: How is it physically possible for ANY type of smoke to last for 24 hours?? Just more harrassment.


30 posted on 07/08/2005 2:56:08 PM PDT by The Foolkiller ( Why......That sounds.....FOOLish!)
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To: The Foolkiller

Your stepfather was right and thank God he obtained sobriety or he wouldn't have lived as long as he did or if he had lived a long,drinking life he would have ruined the lives for many others as my family member did.


31 posted on 07/08/2005 3:20:55 PM PDT by Mears (Keep the government out of my face!)
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To: SheLion

I live right next to Waltham and they don't fool around---never have.

I will be curious to see how this case comes out. A lot of alcoholics will be very frightened if they think they can be PC'd for getting drunk at home.


32 posted on 07/08/2005 3:25:53 PM PDT by Mears (Keep the government out of my face!)
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To: Mears
I will be curious to see how this case comes out. A lot of alcoholics will be very frightened if they think they can be PC'd for getting drunk at home.

Haha! Tickles me to no end, Mears.

And who said "they wouldn't be next?"

33 posted on 07/08/2005 4:16:09 PM PDT by SheLion (Donate to Free Republic! Help keep our forum free!!!)
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To: The Foolkiller
Question: How is it physically possible for ANY type of smoke to last for 24 hours?? Just more harrassment.

They claim that the smoke will rub off onto the kiddies from the seats. Unreal! Makes me wonder what Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine has been smoking!

34 posted on 07/08/2005 4:17:42 PM PDT by SheLion (Donate to Free Republic! Help keep our forum free!!!)
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To: SheLion
"My major problem with the anti-smoking rationale for the tax hike is that I just do not believe taxation policy should be used for social engineering projects. It's not the state's job to discourage personal behavior just because those in the government happen to disagree with it or believe it to be risky. I would suggest taxing other risky behaviors, but don't want to give the legislature any ideas."

Let us translate this into another area of 'risky behaviour'.

Un-protected sex, Homosexual activity, teenage promiscuity - all of these things are 'risky behaviours' - yet the many legislatures work hard to promote the Gay Community, raise Gay awareness, and attempt to convince Americans 'it's okay to be Gay'. Un-protected sex, and teenage promiscuity is on the rise, despite the 'fight' against it. These are areas that should be addressed by parents - yet many school systems and charitable organizations have sought to hand out condoms rather than teach abstinance and purity.

Because Tobacco is a tangible product,lobbyists do not have a voice as loud as the Alcohol manufacturers, and because the general public has bought the lies of 'studies' regarding secondhand smoke - the smokers are paying, the non-smokers are paying - and the legislatures are burning a two-ended candle.

Hopefully, one day soon, the candle will burn to the middle, as a smoker who has been defiled and punished takes the system into his or her own hands and challenges the laws and taxes being pushed daily.

I was taught in Political Science in High School - " your right to punch me in the nose stops where my nose begins". That should apply to the tobacco fight as well. If smokers want to smoke a LEGAL substance - allow them, in designated areas that are NOT compromising comfort (please do not make me stand outside in the rain in 20 degree weather), and, if tobacco and this behaviour is to be taxed - better take notice of other ones and start taxing them as well.

How well do you think a "Gay" tax would go over in this country? They want equality? Give them the equality of the smokers. How about those apples?

35 posted on 07/09/2005 10:07:03 AM PDT by Just Kimberly (Always proud, Always American, Always Trust in God...HOOAH!!( and Terri - we will never forget.))
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