Understanding the explosive new federal tobacco tax increase is simple. Smokers bad. Public sentiment is overwhelmingly against smoking. Politicians smelled easy money and went after it.
Yet, this new tax has nothing to do with smoking. It is about our government meddling in our private lives and using this tax as a form of behavior modification. It has to do less with health.
Our founding fathers warned us of the excesses of the majority. In America's history - and the world's! - we have seen governments try incorrectly and unsuccessfully to "clean" certain behavior (prohibition, McCarthyism). Today, anywhere one goes, smoking is not allowed. Smokers get nasty looks from passersby. Once in a while, we'll even get the exaggerated "cough! cough!" from some clown too weak to make the point to our faces but trying to make a point nevertheless.
What is frightening is how this tobacco tax could lead to future taxes on anything deemed dangerous by our government and society. Should we have 85% tax on foods and drinks that make you obese? Forget backyard burgers. How about 85% tax on gasoline if you have an SUV? So much for my choice. Should we tax gamblers? If you live in a high risk area (flood, hurricane) or in a very polluted city, should that be taxed also? What other behavior should we tax that is deemed "bad" by society? These behaviors are detrimental to our health in some way, just like smoking. Bad behaviors lead to bad health which leads to higher health insurance costs.
I know smoking is bad. What is worse is for the government to try behavior modification through taxation. Claiming they are trying to reduce health care costs and improve our lives is a smoke screen. It's just easy money and it sets an awful precedent for whatever behavior they want to change in the future. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...unless the government doesn't agree that what you choose to do with your life.
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1 comment:
Hey Cuz,
I definitely am in favor of smoke free restaurants but I agree with your post and I think it is well written. The only exceptions I might take are with gamblers - the government does tax gamblers who win more than a certain amount in a given day. Also, some people might agree that people who live in areas prone to flooding should pay more in taxes since they are likely to need bailing out (similar to the smokers will demand more of our health care dollars argument).
But that's all OK - this post would get letters to the editor which is the expecation with good editorials.
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