Killing a "cash cow"

[Uben]

I am listening to Diana DeGette (D-Col) on Cspan. She says the only way to get teens to stop smoking cigarettes is to raise taxes on cigarettes. I disagree whole-heartedly! The way to get them to stop is to outlaw tobacco.....and I am a thirty year smoker! But, if they outlaw tobacco, they won't get the billions in taxes it brings in. Raising taxes brings in more revenue and will reduce the amount of cigarettes smoked, but it will not stop the teens from smoking. If smoking is so bad, outlaw tobacco completely! Do the same for alcohol (I drink too!)

Of course, neither will ever happen because it raises too much revenue.....and it's all about revenue. Look at all the states that have legalized gambling in their state when they know all it does is rob people of their hard earned money. These politicians who pretend to care about people's health and well-being while supporting the very industries who are fleecing them are hypocrits. In order for them to get in their pet-projects and pay raises, they need this revenue.

I will continue to smoke and drink as long as it is legal.......most who do, will, except those who are among the poorest, who just can't afford it due to the taxes on it. And, some of them will turn to crime to support their habits as long as they can get it.

Here's the kicker! If they outlaw tobacco and alcohol, billions in revenue would be saved on health care costs to the government. Probably a lot more than the revenue they take in from the sales of said products, so why push for higher taxes when the solution is prohibition?

Answer: The tobacco industry spends over $100,000 a day lobbying in DC. (source:no-smoking.org), and I'm sure the alcohol industry pays more.

So, don't ask me to stop smoking and drinking if you are not willing to push for total prohibition (talking to politicians here). I can afford all my medical costs, it won't cost you a dime. If it's outlawed, I will stop both, I obey the law.

You wanna raise some revenue? Tax golf! See how that works out! Ha ha ha!


Flame away!

[bryant69]

1. Hmmmmm. Sounds like Limbaugh

But then he's a smoker too, I suppose.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Sadie5]

2. You are right on the money here

The politicans want that tax, period. With the new tax in my state I had to quit as cigs went up to around $5.80 per pack(my brand did). They are suppossed to fund childrens health with this new tax.

[lynnertic]

3. I say we need fewer contraband substances and more laws against lobbying and false advertisement

American Indians used tobacco as a sacrament.

I believe that an educated person should be allowed to pick their own poison. Outlaw tobacco, and dancing is next!

[Jackpine Radical]

5. And after they get dancing, they'll probly outlaw

doing unnatural things with turtles.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. The main problem I see is that a black market would immediately arise.

You can't stop behaviors by outlawing them. How long has cocaine been illegal in America? Can you still get it? I think you'd just create another profit center for exploitation by criminals.

You would also end up creating a whole new class of criminals, like we did with the marijuana laws. No thanks to any of that.

And let me add that I'm an ex-smoker who hates tobacco and can't stand to be in smoky places.

[SheilaT]

6. Of course you have a right

to smoke and drink, if for no other reason than alcohol and tobacco are legal products -- at least if you're of legal age to use them.

But I disagree that the only legitimate reason to ask you to stop is if we're willing to push for total prohibition, even if you are only talking to politicians. Several issues need to be addressed.

Yes, right now you can afford all your medical costs. But what if you lose your job? Or change jobs and the new insurance company won't cover any smoking related conditions? What about the eventual day when you're on Medicare?

Of course, I do believe we should have a national health care system like almost every other country, in which case your being able to afford your health care would be a non issue. And, as opposed to smoking as I am, I recognize that we should cover ALL medical needs, regardless of source or "responsibility" of the individual.

We know from the foolish experiment of Prohibition that outlawing attractive things like alcohol simply doesn't work. I do think raising taxes, and earmarking those taxes to help defray the medical costs associated with alcohol or tobacco is a good idea. And I do think you've hit on one of the dirty secrets of politics: the schizophrenia of saying something is Bad but not being willing to go all the way in doing something about it, such as total prohibition.

I do point out to smokers who complain bitterly about the cost of cigarettes that they can always quit. You, at least have a healthy (small irony here) attitude about continuing to smoke and drink so long as those things are legal.

Thank you for your post.