Cigarette tax hurts the poor, but it's justified -- Social Issu...

Cigarette taxes hurt the poor? well then here's an idea, if you are poor, don't waste your money on cigarettes, I am dumber for having read this column.

Bill wrote:

Cigarette taxes hurt the poor? well then here's an idea, if you are poor, don't waste your money on cigarettes, I am dumber for having read this column.

Are you sure that's possible?

1.) For every 10% increase in cigarette prices, there is a 7% decline in sales.
2.) This decline is especially noteworthy in underage smokers.
3.) Banning cigarettes is a bad idea, just as Prohibition did not lead to the elimination of alcohol.

If we are going to criticize the poor , the working poor and the lower middle class when it comes to smoking and drinking, then the first thing we SHOULD DO BEING A CAPITALIST NATION, IS MAKE BANKS,....BANKS....THAT MEANS GUARANTEED INTEREST RATES AND NO CHARGES USING THE BANK FOR CHECKS, ATM WITHDRAWALS, CREDIT CARD YEARLY FEES,...WELL YOU GET IT...THE PEOPLE AT THIS LEVEL ARE SUCKED DRY OF THEIR INCOME. THEN THEY END UP NEEDING GUVINMENT MONEY TO HELP THEM.SOPHISTICATED EDUCATION IS SOMETHING STARTED BY PARASITES WHO HAVE BECOME RICH ON THE BACKS OF THESE PEOPLE......END THIS!

Lamar wrote:

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Are you sure that's possible?

Yeah, Lamar, I'm sure, you are obviously a smoker, who's the dumb one?

Bill wrote:

Yeah, Lamar, I'm sure, you are obviously a smoker, who's the dumb one?

I don't recall saying I was a smoker. Anyhow, "dumb" isn't the correct word for somebody who thinks they know what's best for you better than you: "Nanny"

OH BOO HOO ! Tax the hell out of smokers & drinkers put the money in a fund to pay for the problems associated with both!

Being poor is what made me quit smoking.I quit and got an instant 180 dollar a month raise.

TO BOB: I do not agree with you and others being smokers. I smoked cigarettes off and on for years and have not the last 20. But it costs next to nothing to produce that product. If you spent 180 bucks a month, then the true value would be 18 bucks a month. The smell of the smoke is what bothers me. Otherwise, the costs are put into the general fund of state, local and federal governments. If taxes were used for medical issues caused by smoking, the price would be acceptable. It is not. The government employee must be paid. He must be the master. He is untouchable by law. And if you disagree thousands of charges are at his disposal to teach you obedience. His weakness is the loss of tax revenues and the uncaring taxpayer who will drink and drug himself to near death therefore decreasing tax revenues in the long run and causing a collapse of what we call freedom. The previous statements I made are our lifestyles. And now the economic shit is hitting the fan. Of course, the economic shit might be beaten back again. But it is always left worse because more people are left sucking on the teat. And Uncle Sam has Big Ums.

Excellent insight!

BEAN wrote:

How quick we forget the average Joe,not the student,the university graduate,the Starbuck type ,but the guy who made it this far.Probley a veteran,or a retired guy,with not complected life style.A dog,and a fishing pole suits him fine.
He listens to all the social protest,and the solutions on how to make his life better...except nobody's asks him.
He probly lives on a limited income,drives an Ole gas guzzler,gets a six pak a day,and a pak of butts.OUR ENEMY!PUNISH HIM!
There may not be many left of these American originals.He prefers to do it his way!...at least he thought.
So, in hair brained schemes,they want to,and are taxing cigarettes.The money to be used for other socialist programs.However if no one is smoking ,where do you get the shortfall? you got it,from non smokers.A hidden tax burden .
So heres to big brother,in your life,in your wallet,in your personnel choices,and many other places....This is not feeedom!

Besides Cocoa Beach, SMOKERS and their cigarette butts have turned practically every intersection with a traffic light into an ashtray as well.

JoeBobDonBaker wrote:

Besides Cocoa Beach, SMOKERS and their cigarette butts have turned practically every intersection with a traffic light into an ashtray as well.

Ya know, I don't like the butts on the ground either but I am always amazed that people try this as an excuse to "demonize" smokers. Just wondering, how the heck do you see the butts under all the junk food wrappers, household garbage and plastic bags strewn about?

the money is going to go for the lagging budget woes not the children of fl.

OK FAT FK, that one took 1 min to come up with.

Bulky Nantuck wrote:

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What an insightful and thought provoking post. You must have labored for hours to choose just the right words. I am certain that your family is quite proud of you.