Maine: State bills smoker for online buys

I didn't say we were paying taxes for her. But if she's on disability your taxes (not necessarily cigarette taxes; any taxes) help pay for that disability. And that disability helps pay for her cigarettes. Ergo, your taxes help buy her cigarettes. I don't begrudge truly disabled people some basic help but cigarettes are hardly a necessity. And I say that as a former pack-a-day smoker.

And "I" am not happy about how the states use the cigarette taxes either! Instead of paying for sick smokers, should there be any, or for prescription drugs for the elderly, or even to help kids, they squander the money to build big golf courses, plant a flower garden in the center of town, sponsor 5 race car teams and various race car tracks around the state!

That cigarette tax money was to go for education and health care. But when the lawmakers saw all that money coming in, they licked their lips and rubbed their hands together and went nuts! That is how so many little pet pork programs were born. From the taxes smokers pay on cigarettes. It's asinine!

"Instead of paying for sick smokers, should there be any,.."

Should there be any???? Surely you're kidding. If you're not kidding, then you're obviously not rational or your obsession with this topic has driven you beyond all reason.

"they squander the money to build big golf courses, plant a flower garden in the center of town, sponsor 5 race car teams and various race car tracks around the state!"

I have no control over what Maine does with cigarette taxes since I don't live there. The money certainly shouldn't go for the things you just named. But that really has nothing to do with a disabled woman who spends your tax money to buy cigarettes whining because she's having a hard time affording two packs a day. If this were the same woman whining about not being able to afford alcohol (which is very highly taxed) or high-end food, you'd tell her tough luck.

Should there be any???? Surely you're kidding. If you're not kidding, then you're obviously not rational or your obsession with this topic has driven you beyond all reason.

"they squander the money to build big golf courses, plant a flower garden in the center of town, sponsor 5 race car teams and various race car tracks around the state!"

I have no control over what Maine does with cigarette taxes since I don't live there. The money certainly shouldn't go for the things you just named. But that really has nothing to do with a disabled woman who spends your tax money to buy cigarettes whining because she's having a hard time affording two packs a day. If this were the same woman whining about not being able to afford alcohol (which is very highly taxed) or high-end food, you'd tell her tough luck.

I'm not even going to get into this with you. I had a grandmother who smoked three packs of unfiltered Camels a day and died of old age of 86.

The golf course I mentioned? Mass is the state that used the cigarette tax money to build a hugh $175,000 golf course. It's not just Maine. States all over the Union have turned into gluttons when it comes to the tax dollars flowing in from cigarettes.

CIGARETTES DON'T PAY TAXES ............SMOKERS DO!

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.