Coffee Group Steaming over Espresso Tax

Yahoo/Reuters ^ | 8/6/02 | Yahoo

[ivegotabrain]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A proposal to levy a 10-cent tax on espresso and espresso-based drinks in Seattle has drawn the wrath of the U.S. coffee industry's key trade group.

Known formally as Seattle Initiative 77, the proposed special tax would go to pay for existing child-care programs.

"It is a bad tax," said National Coffee Association President Robert Nelson in a telephone interview. "The coffee industry believes early child care is very important, but (members) are in opposition of this bad tax," he added.

[tpaine]

Make an untaxed cigarette, go to jail. - Its the american way.

[Cultural Jihad]

So, you and other "compassionate thieves" use the power of government to do it for you.

You are so right! Just yesterday I saw a group of four Blue Meanies dragging this elderly lady into a Starbucks. They shoved her up to the front of the counter, even pulled on her jaw to make her ask for a cup of coffee. Then they body-slammed her to the counter and wrestled away the extra dime from her finger-clenching purse. It was disgusting.

[Cultural Jihad]

A NATIONAL GUARD
HERITAGE PAINTING
The Whiskey Rebellion
George Washington reviewing the troops in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on
October 3, 1794

IN SEPTEMBER 1791 the western counties of Pennsylvania broke out in rebellion against a federal excise tax on the distillation of whiskey. After local and federal officials were attacked, President Washington and his advisors decided to send troops to pacify the region. It was further decided that militia troops, rather than regulars, would be sent. On August 14, 1792, under the provisions of the newly-enacted militia law, Secretary of War Henry Knox called upon the governors of Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for 12,950 troops as a test of the President's power to enforce the law. Numerous problems, both political and logistical, had to be overcome and by October, 1794 the militiamen were on the march. The New Jersey units marched from Trenton to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. There they were reviewed by their Commander-in-Chief, President George Washington, accompanied by Secretary of the Treasury and Revolutionary War veterean Alexander Hamilton. By the time the troops reached Pittsburgh, the rebellion had subsided, and western Pennsylvania was quickly pacified. This first use of the Militia Law of 1792 set a precedence for the use of the militia to "execute the laws of the union (and) suppress insurrections". New Jersey was the only state to immediately fulfill their levy of troops to the exact number required by the President. This proud tradition of service to state and nation is carried on today by the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard.

Text written by The Army National Guard Bureau.

---

Source: http://www.heritagestudio.com/whiskey.htm

[tpaine]

Cute graphic. -- No point.

[Dakmar]

ROTFLMAO! Should people who buy lettuce at the grocery store pay more in tax than those who grow it themselves? Just throwing you a curve, I know that coffee can be bought to be prepared at home, the real analogy would be Starbucks/Folgers vs McDonalds/Kraft. Should we have an extra tax on boxed macaroni and cheese dinners because they are easier to make than the casserole style?

[freeeee]

Moral-liberal industry? Who knows? They are certainly charging a hefty premium to slothful customers who can't be bothered to make their own 20 cent cup of coffee. Whether that translates into Starbuck's support of moral-liberalism and instant gratification is open to investigation:

Please tell me you're joking.

Just yesterday I saw a group of four Blue Meanies dragging this elderly lady into a Starbucks. They shoved her up to the front of the counter, even pulled on her jaw to make her ask for a cup of coffee. Then they body-slammed her to the counter and wrestled away the extra dime from her finger-clenching purse. It was disgusting.

No, CJ. You have it backwards. They don't do that to the customers. They do that to the Starbucks people if they don't pay up. Starbucks passes the price along to the rest of us. And if Starbucks doesn't pay up, yes there most certainly would be violence from the 'Blue Meanies", in fact the threat of violence is implicit in this and every other tax. Please don't insult our intelligence by pretending otherwise.

[sarasmom]

Out of pointless curiosity, I ask you if the government, in its infinate wisdom, taxed those people who jog next to "dangerous fumes" from car emmissions along busy streets had to pay extra taxes for their stupid actions, would you be for that too?

Think about it...

[freeeee]

It's funny you posted that about the Whiskey Rebellion. In my study of American history, it is my opinion that that was the defining point of where we went wrong. In fact, it is my theory that most of the damage done to the original idea of American liberty can be traced to the precedent set by that action.

[Alissa]

Starbucks is a capitalist company! What is your complaint? That they are successful????

[Cultural Jihad]

In fact, it is my theory that most of the damage done to the original idea of American liberty can be traced to the precedent set by that action.

That George Washington was such a statist freedom-hating cur, according to the LP.

[Dakmar]

"Just yesterday I saw a group of four Blue Meanies dragging this elderly lady into a Starbucks. They shoved her up to the front of the counter, even pulled on her jaw to make her ask for a cup of coffee. Then they body-slammed her to the counter and wrestled away the extra dime from her finger-clenching purse. It was disgusting."

Did you call the police? The first thing you should do if you see a crime being committed is call the police. Take that final step, do the right thing and call your local police department and tell them all about this. You'll feel a lot better once you do.

[PJ-Comix]

What'll they think of next?

In ancient Rome there was actually a Urine Tax. I think it was imposed by the emporer Vespasian. How it was collected, I don't know.

[LibertarianLiz]

I've never bought a plain cup of coffee at Starbucks. Is it $4 too?

No, it is not. A tall drip coffee costs a buck fifty. Grande - $1.62.

[freeeee]

I think you misunderstood my post. I oppose the tax.

[Dakmar]

I don't think their plumbing was quite that sophisticated. They probably just charged a flat rate for entry. Since you brought it up...

[freeeee]

That George Washington was such a statist freedom-hating cur, according to the LP.

I don't think that. I do think he made a mistake in the case of the Whiskey Rebellion, and that mistake caused more damage than Washington realized. The unintended consequences of that decision led to some of the things that Washington was against.

Had he known the total effect of what he did, it is my belief he would have chose otherwise. I have the benefit of hindsight and he certainly did not, so I will not fault him too much as his overall contribution to liberty and America was outstanding.

[tpaine]

Don't confuse CJ with any complex concepts.

He's stuck at:
'Its for children = good taxes.'

[headsonpikes]

Honest to God, CJ, my mental image of you has become that of the character in Biblical movies who shouts, "Stone her!"

I'm sure you can't be as fanatical in real life as you appear here.

I think I speak on behalf of at least some 'moral/liberaltarians' in my wish for you to get out more. Seriously. ;^)

Peace.

[BluesDuke]

Known formally as Seattle Initiative 77...

Known realistically as Clueless in Seattle.