GE bans smoking on all properties!!!

[OhioFiler]

I don't think that WhatMoney is a troll any more than you are OhioFiler.

Seriously, how could you possibly have a problem with cigarette taxes? My father had a massive heart attack and a stroke due to his cigarette habit. Nasty stuff.

I don't have a problem with cigarette taxes per se. Why do you think I have a problem with them?

I have a problem with liberals taxing Americans at every opportunity they can. I find the consequences of liberals taxing cigarettes ironic although as is often the case with liberal policies the outcome is the exact opposite of what was intended. Liberals determined that increasing cigarette taxes would lessen the number of smokers AND put cash aside to treat medical problems. The poor still smoke just as much and the revenue is used for anything but medical. The only change is the poor pay more taxes, much more.

My best wishes for your father. How do you know cigarettes caused his health problems?

The troll insists on responding to posts I write by labeling either my post or me as ignorant. It's a common troll technique. It's a typical sign of one unable to debate ideas on their merit and why I stopped interacting with him a few weeks ago as his personal attacks are boring.

[backtoschool]

I don't have a problem with cigarette taxes per se. Why do you think I have a problem with them?

I have a problem with liberals taxing Americans at every opportunity they can. I find the consequences of liberals taxing cigarettes ironic although as is often the case with liberal policies the outcome is the exact opposite of what was intended. Liberals determined that increasing cigarette taxes would lessen the number of smokers AND put cash aside to treat medical problems. The poor still smoke just as much and the revenue is used for anything but medical. The only change is the poor pay more taxes, much more.

My best wishes for your father. How do you know cigarettes caused his health problems?

The troll insists on responding to posts I write by labeling either my post or me as ignorant. It's a common troll technique. It's a typical sign of one unable to debate ideas on their merit and why I stopped interacting with him a few weeks ago as his personal attacks are boring.

I agree that personal bashing is unacceptable behavior.

There are cigarette taxes in conservative states such as Utah too. Cigarettes are an easy tax target because the users are addicted and the health consequences of smoking have been proven.

I see cigarette taxes in the same vein as liquor taxes, taxes on luxuries, a pot tax (when pot becomes legal). Taxes on voluntary "vices" are an easy way to raise money. It a "pay to play" system that allows people to make their own choices.

[helpmeout]

They don't realize who it is that is taxing them. They have no idea it is the "champions of the poor" like Pelosi, Reid and Kennedy (was).

Irregardless of their knowledge, they can revolt and not pay the tax by quitting smoking.

It doesn't really matter who put the taxes in place, the smokers can still refuse to pay the tax by not buying cigarettes.

[WhatMoney]

I have a problem with liberals taxing Americans at every opportunity they can. I find the consequences of liberals taxing cigarettes ironic although as is often the case with liberal policies the outcome is the exact opposite of what was intended. Liberals determined that increasing cigarette taxes would lessen the number of smokers AND put cash aside to treat medical problems. The poor still smoke just as much and the revenue is used for anything but medical.

LOL - Blame the "liberals' for everything and keep spewing misinformation OF.
Here is what the CA conservative republicans want to use cigarette tax money for:

Republican lawmakers want to tap into tobacco tax money to help plug California's budget gap. But Democrats say they won't sign off on the idea.

California's voter-approved tobacco tax generates more than half-a-billion dollars a year. Most of it is distributed by First 5 commissions in each county. It's used primarily to pay for education and health programs for young children.

Republicans say the money is mismanaged. They'd like to shift it over to the state general fund.

Sherry Novick: We have this opportunity to invest in children to help their lifelong academic achievement, earning power. Why would we want to yank those dollars away for short term budget gap filling?

The idea must first be approved by the legislature, and then voters. Democratic lawmakers say that's not going to happen.

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/jan/14...tobacco-taxes/

[WhatMoney]

Liberals determined that increasing cigarette taxes would lessen the number of smokers AND put cash aside to treat medical problems.

And the "liberals" were right. Raising the cost of cigarettes through taxes does decrease smoking and discourages young kids from picking up the habit.

The annual data shows decreasing smoking rates in every state that has raised cigarette taxes. And conservative republicans also support the idea in states where the politicians are not bought and paid for by the tobacco lobby. Utah republicans want to increase cigarette taxes by $1/pack.

The tax funds are used for education and health for children and for smoking cessation programs in many states. The extra health costs of smokers and their lost productivity in the workplace from increased sick leave has been a real problem for the country. Raise cigerette taxes to $10 a pack - let the smokers pay for the extra health and societal costs for their nasty habit. If they choose to quit instead, well that was the plan. It's all about free choice - pay through the nose for your habit - or quit, get smart, and get healthy.

[dscurlock]

i now live in California and know they have a recycling plan, but dont know of many drunk drivers that really care about recycling when they are 3 sheets to the wind and driving down a freeway. the homeless people you refer to as smokers that are a problem for police and cant afford their rent because they smoke must be the ones picking up all the bottles and cans. thats really a ridiculous statement you made. you are saying because someone smokes they cant afford their rent and cause problems for police???? i have to laugh when you say only 18% smoke in your state, also California says smoking is down. they base this on cigarette tax revenue.....did anyone ever stop to think that smokers are wising up and buying cigarettes online from indian casinos that charge NO state tax??? i have a friend that buys 8 cartons a month from a casino in New York, pays NO cigarette tax to New York OR California. so the states think consumption is down and the high taxes are working. but they are losing so much revenue from lost cigarette tax, it is helping the budget crisis here in California. way to go. now they want another tax on cigarettes. keep up the good work legislators. send more people online to the casinos. OH i forgot to mention the used pampers strewn along with the fat food wrappers..you dont really care about people littering..just smokers that litter..

I got a IRS tax bill from buying cig's online, and believe me, the tax bill
was much higher then what I actually bought online. Your state can
easily audit any online cig company, and when they turn over your
name/address, boom, they got you...

Maybe the govt should just ban everything that is not healthty...

after all - the right hand of the govt is preaching, this is bad, that is
bad, you are going to die from unhealthy stuff (they put on a good show)

then the left hand is basicly saying, buy, buy, buy ...because we
make trillions of $$$ if you buy or use anything unhealthy...

Your govt does not care if you live or die...if they did
then they would ban anything that is unhealthy, and
they would have done it years ago...its about $$$...

[WhatMoney]

You have to my little troll. You can't stay away. I own you!
Why don't you just ignore me as I have you for weeks? I know why!

You were supposed to have me on ignore OF. Can't resist me huh?

As I said before, I don't care whether you respond to my posts or not. When you continue to post misinformation and lies I will continue to counter them with facts. That's the way political forums work. If you want to preach to your choir, go back to Free Republic and Rush Limbaugh's blog.

[bulletproof77]

So to all the "puritans".....

Smoking is not illegal as much as some people on this forum would like it to be. So we tax smokers, then people who have a social drink, then people who like certain types of foods...When does it stop ? Where is that "line in the sand" where we say no to certain taxes ? If you tax smokers, then why not people who eat hamburgers ? After all saturated fats are proven to be bad for you ? Milk ? Lot of lactose intolerant people out there....I don't smoke. But I also don't try and impose MY views on other people. Nor do I think discriminatory taxes are fair. Perhaps we should tax people based on race, language or weather they have ever filed bankruptcy...It never ends. Remember Prohibition ? Yes, banning alcohol worked well didn't it ? Same for our so called never ending "War on Drugs"...Some people just love a soap-box... If I did wish to smoke then that is MY business and no-one else s as long as I didn't smoke around them. As someone who patrols major west coast freeways each day, there are tons of all kinds of trash on the shoulders besides and including cigarette butts..

[bulletproof77]

or quit, get smart, and get healthy. So I guess we should all live by your opinion and definition of "smart".....

[junker]

exactly bp, they wont do that because they are the majority. face it, most people drink, so no big tax there, most people live at micky d, or taco bell and are overweight so no tax there, even though its all bad, they are the majority so they would NOT approve a tax on anything THEY consume. just be obsessed with the minority of smokers and tax the hell out of them.... so the grossly obese drunk that staggers into a mc, d,s orders a couple of big macs, and supersizes the fries, and then walks outside and lites a cigarette, takes a couple of puffs, and drops dead, will just be remembered as the smoker that croaked.....i would much rather live next door to a smoker than a drunk any day....but unfortunately there are far,far more drunks than smokers.....and dont forget...the dooo gooders that think smoking cigarettes is sooo terrible....just might lite up some weed or crack....but of course they dont think that counts.....many people that condemm cigarettes....will still smoke weed....

[OhioFiler]

You were supposed to have me on ignore OF. Can't resist me huh?

As I said before, I don't care whether you respond to my posts or not. When you continue to post misinformation and lies I will continue to counter them with facts. That's the way political forums work. If you want to preach to your choir, go back to Free Republic and Rush Limbaugh's blog.

Oh you are on ignore little man who suffers SPS. You'll never see a post of mine directed to your "factual" posts. Ever.

Yes, your discourse is quite pleasant. Nice game calling me a liar. Nice try invoking Free Republic and Rush Limbaugh. Now I suggest you return to your male enhancement blog.

[OhioFiler]

I agree that personal bashing is unacceptable behavior.

There are cigarette taxes in conservative states such as Utah too. Cigarettes are an easy tax target because the users are addicted and the health consequences of smoking have been proven.

I see cigarette taxes in the same vein as liquor taxes, taxes on luxuries, a pot tax (when pot becomes legal). Taxes on voluntary "vices" are an easy way to raise money. It a "pay to play" system that allows people to make their own choices.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[junker]

how about a tax on being overweight? every year at tax time we all go to our local irs office and get weighed....if you are within the normal limit for your height and weight..no tax...if overweight you get taxed per pound....sounds like a good idea....since being overweight uses more resources than proper weight...as shown by airlines that want overweight people to buy two seats..it costs more fuel to haul them...also cars use more gas when full of overweight people..and extra emissions....why we could solve the deficit with this idea.....

[WhatMoney]

Oh you are on ignore little man who suffers SPS. You'll never see a post of mine directed to your "factual" posts. Ever.

Yes, your discourse is quite pleasant. Nice game calling me a liar. Nice try invoking Free Republic and Rush Limbaugh. Now I suggest you return to your male enhancement blog.

Sticks and stones OF. Is that all you have, personal attacks? Must be - I seldom see anything else from you.

When you spread the lies of Rush Limbaugh, your self-proclaimed mentor, you are also a liar. And I will counter with the facts - maybe you didn't get it - spread misinformation and lies from your right-wing attack dogs, and I'll call you on it. Not for your benefit - you've already made your beliefs clear - but for others reading who may want some balance to the forum.

[WhatMoney]

or quit, get smart, and get healthy. So I guess we should all live by your opinion and definition of "smart".....

So you think smoking is smart?