Posted on 08/10/2008 8:15:52 PM PDT by ricks_place
Politicians in Annapolis are scratching their heads wondering what happened to all those chain smokers who were supposed to help balance Maryland's budget. Last year the legislature doubled the cigarette tax to $2 a pack to pay for expanded health-care coverage. Eight months later, cigarette sales have plunged 25% and the state is in fiscal distress again.
A few pols are pretending to be happy that 30 million fewer cigarette packs have been bought in the state so far this year. As House Majority Leader Kumar Barve put it, fewer people smoking is "a good thing." Yes, except that Maryland may be losing retail sales more than smokers. Residents of Maryland's Washington suburbs can shop in nearby Virginia, where the tax is only 30 cents a pack, and save at least $15 per carton.
The Maryland pols are so afraid this is true that they've made it a crime for residents to carry two packs of cigarettes that weren't purchased in the state. In other words, the state says it's legal to smoke, so long as you use cigarettes that the government can tax and thus become a financial partner in your bad habit. But if you dare to buy smokes across state lines, you can be fined.
Maryland is only the latest state to prove the folly of trying to finance government with a tax on a shrinking pool of smokers. In New York City and State, tobacco taxes have been raised so many times that the retail cost can exceed $9 a pack -- about double the national average. Few budget-savvy smokers in the Big Apple pay that tax...
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
It's suffering badly from liberal-seep now :-(
Jeez, I’m sorry, Eric, She had a n entire beautiful thread devoted to her when she died. Just figured you knew.
I have the rolling machine and filters. I just can’t get it right. Either too much tobacco or too little.
Good for you. I’m glad you are not having any problems with the Chantix but just be on the alert for side effects. They can be really bad.
Get the tubes and a good, crank-type machine - you'll be glad you did. I can make a pack in the time it take to smoke one cigarette and I can make a carton for $12-ish. There's also an electric injector coming that should make life even nicer for us.
God bless She-Lion.
Bwwwwaaaaaaaaaa-Haaaaaaa-Haaaaaa!
The Commies never follow their twisted “logic” through to the end.
When all of we Sheeple are reduced to a handful, due to this ban and that, due to increasing taxes at every turn (and it’s STILL not enough!) who the heck is going to be around to support the Elitists?
They overplay their hand EVERY time. Dorks.
Just wait, soon it will be other things.
Why not anything for that matter, say gas, food, clothing, or ANY taxable item they deem is their "cut".
PATHETIC!
You know, if they really wanted to see a drop in smoking rates they should stop with the heavy handed rhetoric and gestapo tactics. There is a very large cadre of smokers now who will. not. quit. out of sheer stubbornness and unwillingness to give in to Big Nanny.
As an aside I have decided to NEVER admit I smoke to anyone anymore. Congratulate me. I’m in the unhooked generation.
There is a reason those fast ocean-going speedboats are called cigarette boats, and it ain’t because they’re long and slim.
Why not set up customs stations at the state borders? Interstate Commerce Clause be damned.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
I have always been amazed at how politically docile people are when it comes to “sin taxes.” Seemingly, there is no political price to pay for increasing taxes and a definite political boon when it comes to who receives the tax revenues.
Hey, what a great idea!! This would also give the agents the chance to seize just about anything, search for guns, drugs, etc. It would create jobs, revenue and lots of lawyers would be grateful!
I heard on Fox the other day that New York (I think it is NY) is getting rid of the cameras because people are aware of them and are slowing down, thus, fewer tickets are being given out and less money coming in. They want to go back to the old fashioned way of cops catching the speeders and yellow/red light runners.
I do have the injection tube type roller and the filters and paper tubes, but I am so messy with it. Looking forward to the electric one. Maybe it will be easier. Is there a certain way you measure the tobacco to get just the right amount without the mess?
I'm not sure the mess can ever be entirely eliminated. I have found that since I finally decided to follow directions (hey, what do the manufacturers know!)and was careful to fill the ends of the fill chamber and then loosely (but not sparsely) fill the center, I don't end up with a butt that has the density of a high caliber bullet. I still end up with a bunch of loose tobacco all over my rolling table, though, that I have to constantly scoop back up.
metesky had the people at the smoke shop demonstrate the electric machine for him, and he wasn't too impressed with it (the people at the smoke shop didn't seem to be either). He's at work right now, and I can't remember the specific objections, but I'll ask him when he gets home and let you know, if you'd like.
I have missed SheLion’s posts. :’(
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