[SheLion]

Come on Michigan!

[SheLion]

Michigan smokers need to get with the program!

[kcpopps]

"The annual loss to U.S. taxpayers is an estimated $2 billion -- a hefty profit for the smuggler at a fraction of the risk associated with drug trafficking. Law enforcement experts want that to change."

And they keep making sure that figure will get higher and higher. They just want to create criminals.

"Law enforcement experts want that to change."

I want law enforcement experts to change. I want them to be FORCED to.

[Madame Dufarge]

Today at the United Nations, representatives of 191 countries are wrapping up a two-day conference aimed at curbing global trafficking in contraband cigarettes, a $16-billion-a-year enterprise.

Imagine the U. S. had signed on to the ICC; imagine the blue helmets rappeling through your skylight as you light up your tax free internet-bought butts.

[Publius6961]

Today at the United Nations, representatives of 191 countries are wrapping up a two-day conference aimed at curbing global trafficking in contraband cigarettes, a $16-billion-a-year enterprise.

Sale of a totally and universally legal substance becomes the subject of a worldwide crisis?
Has the world gone mad?

I can think of a half dozen real crises that the UN should be addressing, were they able to actually do anything constructive and positive to improve world conditions.
This is not a political issue, let alone an international political issue.
War, famine and local diseases alone worldwide will claim many times the number of lives ostensibly claimed by tobacco use.
What is happening?

Hard to take it seriously were things not turning so absolutely scary. Is it the bureaucratic mentality?
Is it the human tendency to demand that we "take good care of ourselves or they will kill us for our own good"?

What?

[Publius6961]

According to law enforcement officials, the ring imported cigarettes from North Carolina, which has a low tax. Profits went to support the terrorist group Hizballah, according to federal agents.

Of course local and state governments are blind to the fact that this is a problem entirely of their own creation?
And they have managed to criminalized millions of their citizens in the process.

All because they are addicted to spending our money extorted as "taxes"?

Is it time to fight back yet?

[John O]

The annual loss (from bootlegged cigarettes) to U.S. taxpayers is an estimated $2 billion

I'm confused. Seems to me that the taxpayer is actually saving $2 Billion in taxes he doesn't have to pay.

God Save America (Please)