Posted on 01/06/2006 9:53:31 PM PST by Amerigomag
USUALLY, I would wait until later in the year to protest a proposed $2.60-per-pack tax on cigarettes. But it's such a rotten idea, I can't wait. (No, I don't smoke.)
Huge new taxes on specific groups of people create weird backlashes, probably skyrocketing sales of black-market cigarettes as smokers find creative ways to avoid this huge grab at their wallets.
But far worse, the proposed $2.1 billion tax is horribly backward. It uses scandalously little of the windfall to pay for research into lung cancer or other smokers' diseases -- 2 percent. Instead this measure would transfer money from smokers' wallets into the wallets of illegal immigrants.
In our hopelessly PC world, we aren't supposed to talk about illegal immigrants. But let's be bad and do it anyway. This proposal diverts most of the $2.1 billion tax to emergency-room care and to health coverage for children -- two services that, in California, provide outsized assistance to illegal immigrants.
This proposal diverts most of the $2.1 billion tax to emergency-room care and to health coverage for children -- two services that, in California, provide outsized assistance to illegal immigrants. The other sneak feature of the proposed $2.1 billion tax is its intent to spend vast sums on ER care -- a staggering $902 million each year. The overuse of emergency rooms in California -- the use of the system is highly biased toward illegal immigrants and not toward smokers."
So let's create a fat, new tax that spends a paltry 2 percent on research into lung cancer, that rewards the exploding misuse of ERs and that throws more money at health insurance for children who should have been signed up by their parents long ago. Sounds like a classic California fiscal plan to me.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Why not have a bath house tax?
I am not a smoker (but the husband is) but this is wrong on so many levels. I am disgusted by one group of people getting taxed for the benefit of everyone else. WA state got this huge windfall by suing the tobacco companies on behalf of smokers and yet all the money went elsewhere. If my husband really wanted, they did set up an 800# so he can talk through his nicotine addiction. Yeah, thanks.
Send the illegals home and the ERs would be in much better shape.
'our hopelessly PC world' BumP
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The left is on the run, imo.
Our job is to keep steering them toward the precipice and make sure they see it coming but are unable to turn back of their own accord.
The desired tax/fee increase is just one more example of their hollow heads and how little they have to offer of substance or a desire to deliver anything of much value for the good of anyone except themselves in their own shallow ways.
You have to remember: There are no illegals - they are the "new Americans" and they must be supported.
| We are now one of the largest Spanish-speaking nations in the world. We're a major source of Latin music, journalism and culture. Just go to Miami, or San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago or West New York, New Jersey ... and close your eyes and listen. You could just as easily be in Santo Domingo or Santiago, or San Miguel de Allende. For years our nation has debated this change -- some have praised it and others have resented it. By nominating me, my party has made a choice to welcome the new America. George Bush from a campaign speech in Miami, August 2000. |
ping
It's obvious the stupids never sleep.
I know it. Stupider and stupider. hehe!
Thanks for the ping!
About the only excise taxes that have any merit - and even that is a stretch - are gasoline taxes - IF they are used as intended, for road maintenance.
I have always and will always oppose increasing excise taxes to balance budgets........only a few should being paying for all, whether it be smokers, drinkers, or motor vehicle owners.
Sales tax, just like excise taxes, are all extremely regressive and hit the wallets of those less able much harder. Sales tax on food is also particularly onerous.......and I'm not just talking about pre-prepared or prepacked foods.....I'm talking about a sales tax on meats and vegetables....you know, the kinds of food people that actually cook from scratch buy?
But I digress..........you know me and my position on this issue very well :)
Immigrants should NOT be allowed into this country unless they have a family sponsoring them and a job.
Bump!
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