CA: Higher state tax on beer? (1500% increase proposed,, by a Dem, of course)

Mercury News ^ | 4/11/08 | Mike Zapler

[timm22]

The San Jose Democrat on Thursday proposed raising the beer tax by $1.80 per six-pack, or 30 cents per can or bottle. The current tax is 2 cents per can. That's an increase of about 1,500 percent.

Is there a legislative equivalent to the Darwin Awards?

This guy might as well propose an "I hate apple pie and babies" bill.

[Amerigomag]

Please remind our beer guzzling friends here on FR that this is an unusual proposal. A Democrat sponsored tax on the poor to pay for health care for the poor.

From my perspective I'd rather the poor and the illegal dip into their own pocket, not mine. This seems poetic justice if the General Fund is going to be redistributed to the consequences of illegal Mexican immigration.

[timm22]

New ox to gore ping!

I'm torn on this one.

As a person who appreciates a nice cold beer, my heart goes out to those poor Californians who might have to pay this onerous tax.

But as a person who enjoys poetic justice, I hope the new tax IS imposed. That way, all the smug idiots who sang the praises of smoke-free California bars will also get to enjoy the unintended consequences of their smoking ban.

[FrankR]

""The people who use alcohol should pay for part of the cost to society, just like we've accepted that concept with tobacco," Beall said. "

Give a mouse a cookie, he'll want a glass of milk!

They're going to keep it up until they've taxed everything that we enjoy, out of existence. It'll be food, cellphones, video games, TV's, Ice Cream Cones, Hot showers, sex...

...what'cha gonna do when they come for you?

[andy58-in-nh]

This is a perfect example of the ultimate danger of socializing risk. When the government indemnifies individuals against the consequences of their own behavior (e.g. - Medicaid for indigent lung cancer patients; free rehab services for drunken bums), the state can then claim a right to regulate and/or tax the risk factors themselves. Loss of freedom follows as the power of the state grows.

[goldstategop]

Its not going anywhere. Democrats would have run against beer drinkers in California and that's as welcome as Typhoid Mary.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[CSM]

It is rather poetic. On that I agree.

Have a great weekend.

[PISANO]

Anyone who doesn't see SOCIALISM gaining ground daily into our culture has blinders on.

Hussein Obama wants to cap CEO pay, Hilliary wants to nationalize health care. Politicians decry the "ENERGY" crises as they march lock-step with environmentalists denying the United States it's OWN oil resources and virtually every politician on both sides of the aisle never met a REGULATION they didn't like.

If either of the two Dems win in NOV and the congress stays with the left there will be no stopping cacophonous rise of SOCIALISM!!

A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take from you everything you have........Gerald Ford, Aug 12, 1974

[Publius6961]

I think this is a great idea!
It should be 3000%

It's for the children.
Besides, I don't drink beer.

Just saying.

[Publius6961]

That's because it would require a two-thirds vote in the Assembly and Senate - and then, because it's a constitutional amendment, it would have to be approved by voters. Republicans say it's a non-starter.

OK then.
Can someone 'splain to me how they managed to do it with cigarettes?

[steveo]

More people eat peas than drink beer. Why doesn’t he propose a pea tax? Hey, that’s it!!! EVERYONE pees. Tax that, instead.

Especially after several beers!

[libh8er]

[B Knotts]

How about just a tax on beer brewed with rice and other adjuncts, on the basis that such "beer" is an affront to humanity?

;-)

[timm22]

Thanks, you too CSM.

[elkfersupper]

Contrary to what happened the last time we tried this (Prohibition), only the use and transport of the product is now effectively banned.

It was done this time without a Constitutional amendment, which was obviously neccessary to the population the last time this was tried.

[elkfersupper]

If we propose a tax on mashed ‘taters, maybe that guy will get the message.

[Callahan]

Lol I read about this idiot just as I was cracking a nice Bell’s Hopslam — the best beer in the world. The question is what won’t these Dem douchebags tax to fund their socialist schemes.

[Last Dakotan]

First they came for the smokers and I said nothing...

[GOP_Lady]

Good. Let them tax beer like they tax tobacco products to help prevent alcohol addiction, medical bills caused by alcohol, social programs, etc., etc., etc., BECAUSE I DON'T DRINK BEER — IT TASTES NASY! It's not like the users of tobacco products didn't warn you. Welcome to the nanny-state. THIS CRAP HAS GO TO STOP.

[GOP_Lady]

And when they come for the fat people, this skinny person is going to watch and laugh.