WASHINGTON - One of President Obama's campaign pledges on taxes went up in puffs of smoke yesterday.
The largest increase in tobacco taxes ever took effect despite Obama's promise not to raise taxes of any kind on families earning under $250,000 or individuals under $200,000. The cigarette tax disproportionately affects the poor, who are more likely to smoke than the rich.
The tax increase was $0.62 per pack. That's almost what a pack cost when I started smoking in the 1980s... They're saying that the average price of a pack of brand-name cigarettes is somewhere around $8 now.
It's a perfect metaphor for the tyranny of the majority - since smokers are a quarter of the population or less, there's little political danger in raising taxes on cigarettes. Comments like "Quit if you don't like it" dominate discussions of this story.
Here's a thought, though; something to consider. When I started smoking in the mid-1980s, a pack of cigarettes cost between $0.75 - $1.00 depending on where and how they were purchased (IOW a carton at a warehouse store vs. a single pack at a gas station). Using the high number of $1/pack, that's an 8-fold increase in price. A six-pack of domestic canned beer cost ~ $4 at the same time.
Had they gone after beer like they went after cigarettes, a six-pack of Budweiser would cost you $32 today.
Think about that. Think about the hue-and-cry if a sixxer cost you $30+. Then stop to think about where they're going to set their sights once they've wrung every last penny out of the smokers.
Enjoy your Hopenchange.
That is all.
9 comments:
Exactly. For those who say, "Well, smoking is disgusting, serves them right!" . . . consider this: They keep saying that obesity is an epidemic sweeping our nation. Are your ready to have your dessert choices regulated? Are you ready to step on a scale every time you want to get a quick snack at a fast-food place?
Yeah, I didn't think so . . .
My guess would be certain calibers of ammunition. Hell, probably all of them.
Gasoline, taxes are already high and with the proper spin it can be a case of the "evil oil companies" not wanting to lower their profits to offset the unfortunate but necessary increase in taxes.
It is for the infrastructure (wait...I forgot a part)....it is for the children, we don't want them to inherit a crumbling infrastructure, right?
Ammunition is an easy target, a tax on any non-green ammo at first. Then an increase on all ammo, to fight the scourge of gun violence.
Funny how abortion is never considered for a sin tax, isn't it?
Dollars to doughnuts that the Congress gets smokes for free. Wouldn't be surprised.
Watch tobacco tax revenue stay flat or decline. This will be explained as fewer people smoking, when in reality it will be people buying their smokes from a bootlegger.
It's not like we haven't seen this before. Of course, the new administration is MUCH smarter than all those people who tried it before...
I heard some old timer talking about this. He said he used to order through the mail, but then the IRS slammed him with taxes.
I wonder what lengths people will go to now.
BTW, Jay, they hardly ever go after beer with large increases & we all know why. They push is up a few pennies at a time, but not one large increase. For that, they go after hard liquor & tax the dog $hit out of it.
Are you doing your part to help the children?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_LutWBunb4
Enjoy!!! I know the laughs don't make up for the extra costs.
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