'Sin taxes' just another money grab

Los Angeles Daily News (NOT the L.A. Times) ^ | April 14, 2002 | Chris Weinkopf

[Gophack]

Imagine if some Republican legislators decided to use the state tax code to wage war on the vices they find most dangerous and distasteful.

They could start with a $10 surcharge on body piercing -- an effective way to scale back the nasty practice while also raising money for reconstructive surgery for the indigent.

Next, they could impose a 50-cent surcharge every time someone rents a pornographic video. The levy might wreak havoc on the San Fernando Valley's economy, but it could also fund treatment for venereal diseases.

[Gophack]

I laughed out loud. Great editorial.

[Gophack]

Ping

[MistrX]

How about a $10,000 tax for every time a politician lies to the media?

[Republicus2001]

I think we should put a tax on Hollywood movies to educate the public about violence. Surely Rob Reiner would have no problem with that.

[Republicus2001]

Especially since so there are so many deaths from violence

[Just another Joe]

Politicians identify some peccadillo that's fallen from political fashion, then convince the majority of voters that they're justified in fining their "sinful" neighbors for their bad habits. It's far easier to raise taxes on an unpopular minority than on the public at large.

In addition to her war on root beer and cola, Ortiz is sponsoring legislation to raise the state's taxes on cigarettes by 65 cents, bringing Sacramento's haul up to $1.52 per pack.

puff

[Sunshine Sister]

These jerks just don't give up. I sure hope the CA FReepers sound off about all of the moralizing by the gubmint! Shame on them!

I have an idea! Let's tax every legislator who comes up with a new idea to tax the peons. That should raise a lot of money!

[ElkGroveDan]

Of course, these people don't give a hoot about our health. Davis has tasked his pals in the legisalture to go find as many revenue-raising gimmicks as they can to balance his badly listing budget.

The "it's for your own good" argument is the same one they've been using for years. Watch for many more of these between now and the June budget deadline.

[metesky]

Now obesity is, to be sure, a bona fide problem. The surgeon general estimates that 300,000 Americans die each year from fat-related causes, and the National Institutes of Health says one in five kids is overweight.

This one manipulative sentence pi$$e$ me off no end.

Now obesity is, to be sure, a bona fide problem.

It maybe a problem for some, but it is a miniscule problem for the general population as ten seconds of objective thought would show a third grader.

The surgeon general estimates that 300,000 Americans die each year from fat-related causes...

Even this educated fools best estimate is that this affects one, one thousandth of the population (.001%) of the United States.

and the National Institutes of Health says one in five kids is overweight.

What, you didn't think they knew? Their parents didn't know? Why I myself talked to two overweight people today. Coincidence or psychic phenomenon?

Thanks, for the f*&$in' news, Nanny.

And we pay for this sh!t.

Satire and mockery is all they deserve, until the time comes

[Attillathehon]

That's what I've been saying all along. I should pay less into Social Security since I wont be around to collect as long as the non-smokers. They use those actuarial tables AGAINST us when they want to charge us higher premiums on our insurance, so why not a reduction in Social Security based on those same tables? Hmmmmmmm?