Death and taxes may be the only certainties in life, but journalists’ support for higher taxes is almost as predictable.
Actions that liberals dislike, such as smoking, eating the "wrong" food, and spewing carbon earn media support for tax increases.
Right now, the media are promoting a “bipartisan” bill in Congress that would expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by raising tobacco taxes sky-high.
“Senate Panel Adds Billions For Health,” announced a headline from the July 20 New York Times. The headline sent a positive message that people’s health would be improved, rather than the honest message that the bill calls for a 156-percent tax increase on cigarettes, and a more than 20,000-percent increase on cigars (up to $10 per cigar).
$10 a cigar? That deserved a headline or two.
But instead of stating the enormous tax increases that would pay for children's insurance, most media accounts focused on the president's opposition to saving children.
“Now, that is not a compassionate conservative,” remarked Joy Behar on ABC's "The View" July 18. Behar was talking about Bush's stand against the bill (she incorrectly said he had vetoed it), but she gave none of the administration's objections -- tax increases and expansion of government.
The July 20 Los Angeles Times severely understated the potential tax increase on cigars, saying only that the tax "would more than double."
But Drew Newman of the J.C. Newman Cigar Company wrote in a letter to The Washington Post that the cigar tax increase could be as much as 20,412 percent: “from just under 5 cents to a maximum of $10 per cigar.”
“The effect of such an enormous tax increase would be devastating [on small businesses],” continued Newman in his July 21 letter.
But smoking isn’t the only sin the media want to tax. Some journalists favor fat taxes to save people from unhealthy food, and many promote taxes to make the world greener.
CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta was surprised at the amount of opposition to a fat tax on April 12.
“[T]here was a Gallup poll actually done on this as well and I was actually surprised by the results. Only 10 percent of people in this country think it’s a good idea to have a fat tax,” Gupta said on “American Morning.”
How could Gupta be surprised that most Americans don't want to pay more money to eat whatever they want?
Eco-sins are also high on the media agenda. Journalists keep telling people what to do and not do to stop global warming. This has included suggesting higher gas taxes (to reduce demand) and carbon taxes.
—Julia A. Seymour is an assistant editor for the Business & Media Institute.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Well, it seems as thought
July 25, 2007 - 18:52 ET by VT Con ManWell, it seems as though the dims are going tax and re-tax everything they feel should be "controlled" in our society. One of the great reasons to never, ever vote for them. Not that the lamo RINO's are any help.
Someone get us out of this madness!!! Fred? Someone.
Then they should be pushing
July 25, 2007 - 18:58 ET by JerryThen they should be pushing for a "gay" sex tax. What is more costly to both your health and society than HIV?
Also on the books is a "Hollywood" tax, because the movies they are spitting out are twisting the minds of children.
I also eagerly await the abortion tax, since abortion ends a life and causes mental anquish.
And lastly but most importantly, there has to be a "liberal ideology" tax, because liberalism is more costly to this country than any other "sin".
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment
vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any
President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
.......that the bill calls
July 25, 2007 - 18:59 ET by MidAmerica.......that the bill calls for a 156-percent tax increase on cigarettes, and a more than 20,000-percent increase on cigars (up to $10 per cigar).
Hey, this is great news for persons looking for new business opportunities. These taxes will create great profits for the black market.
Cigar Ladies?
July 25, 2007 - 19:05 ET by VT Con ManMaybe along with the booming cigar black market, will come the return of the long legged ladies, with their cigar trays, and short skirts...just thinkin...somewhat sexist...still thinkin...
more taxes...
July 25, 2007 - 19:07 ET by LionKingThey will have to increase taxes more to support the crackdown on smuggled cigars.
more spending...
July 26, 2007 - 05:32 ET by sarcasmoAnd then increase spending, when-not-if that fails. Lather, rinse, repeat.
JMR
}}}----> My humidor
July 26, 2007 - 05:40 ET by Cool ArrowI've got a friend named Monica who smuggles my Cuban Cigars into the country for me.
I'll smoke an occasional
July 26, 2007 - 05:56 ET by sarcasmoI'll smoke an occasional Cuban (especially if someone else pays for the damthing!) but these days I find the Nicaraguan and Dominican products taste a bit better for the same money. I also find that the non-Cubans have more consistency in taste box to box, and as with all black markets fakery abounds, which further complicates things unless you're lucky enough to have good connections.
The "socialist-paradise" job to have in Cuba isn't making cigars, it's printing up all the various rings, wrappers, and labels which make a cigar "Cuban," and then selling extras on the Cuban black market to smugglers who will later unite them with cheaper cigars. Whoever is doing this is making quite a bit of money.
Of course, for my taste-tests to be truly scientific the failed socialist US embargo will need to end, so that the Cubans no-longer have the added cachet of forbidden fruit. Plus it's annoying to keep my opinions to myself regarding the socialist-failure when I'm in an airport and a US Customs agent asks about the origins of my unmarked smokes, as if I'd say "Cuba" anyway...
JMR
Republicans totally missed
July 25, 2007 - 19:15 ET by buddycRepublicans totally missed the boat. When they had control they should have had hearing after hearing on the damages our youth suffer from hollywood media/porn/video games/drugs etc. Then we would be in a position to counter this. We could seek a 2000% tax on a movie ticket and remove any and all tax breaks for specific industries that are invovled in violent movies/media and movies / media that promote promiscuity and movie / media that promote tabacco and /drugs. Hit the enemy hard but also solve the problems they create.
They did hold such hearings,
July 26, 2007 - 05:37 ET by sarcasmoThey did hold such hearings, and I've made fun of 'em ever since. The way to combat taxes is not with more-taxes, but with the novel idea of less spending. Not just talk around election time about less spending, either -- by less spending I mean "less spending." That, when it's tried, works -- along with voting against ANY taxes, whether it's their stupid idea about tobacco or your stupid idea about speech.
JMR
Great for Castro
July 25, 2007 - 19:57 ET by StogieGuyThat black market that you're referring to will end up being mostly Cuban cigars - with Castro getting a cut of the profits. By then, almost all of the non-Cuban cigar manufacturers will either be out of business or brewing beer for a living.
This thing will be devastating to the cigar industry - and it was done on purpose by the libs. Things are getting scary...
I'm thinking just the opposite -
July 25, 2007 - 20:54 ET by FastEdThe demolibs have finally found a way to get back at Castro, without saying it out loud. The underground / black market will have a field day, and then the demolibs, with their lap-dogs the msm (Lsm) will then have to support the police in a crackdown of these illegal products, further depleting the assets on the border. THAT'S it!! - the idea is an end around the open border and illegals issue, it's almost brill'nt, if that was the plan.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
The Democrats would endorse
July 25, 2007 - 20:00 ET by Chris NormanThe Democrats would endorse a poll tax if they could figure out a way to levy it only on those of us who vote Republican...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Way to go CN -
July 25, 2007 - 20:35 ET by FastEdNow you've done it, gave them another idea. Y'know they wouldn't have come with that on their own - jeeze, why don't you suggest a "Free Air" tax, based on the average amount a person breathes, to offset the CO2 that is expelled when exhaling? Oh, #^%$#, now I've done it.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Ed, How about a tax on
July 25, 2007 - 20:43 ET by Chris NormanEd,
How about a tax on the taxes? Doh! Did it again...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
If we keep replying . .
July 25, 2007 - 20:49 ET by FastEdlike this, we'll have to run for office to get the tax breaks!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
A per-word blogging tax.
July 25, 2007 - 20:56 ET by Free StinkerA per-word blogging tax.
Naughty, Free. Talk about
July 25, 2007 - 20:58 ET by BlondeNaughty, Free.
Talk about the "fairness doctrine".
Talk aobut . .
July 25, 2007 - 21:02 ET by FastEda sin tax. But I'm hearing that there's gonna be a Gator Tax!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
GATOR tax?That's it.
July 25, 2007 - 21:08 ET by BlondeGATOR tax?
That's it. I'm starting the 2007 version of the Boston Tea Party.
Enough of this taxation without representation!
Anyone care to join in?
My GATORS are not a sin....they're the 3 times in a ROW National Champion NCAA college in these United States.
Geez, Ed...talk about pushing my buttons. And I only put in 15 hours today....you actually made me wake up!
Blonde,You gonna dump
July 25, 2007 - 21:24 ET by Chris NormanBlonde,
You're gonna dump Gators in the water? Won't they drown - or get eaten by the other gators? :)
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
No such thing as too many
July 25, 2007 - 21:24 ET by BlondeNo such thing as too many Gators.
"Dumping" gators sounds like a mighty fine idea, actually....a la Boston Tea Party. Right in the middle of D.C. In the Tidal Basin. Let these dimbulbs try to tax something with teeth.....just like they tried to get one over on us about the illegal invasion of La Raza aliens.
This Gator has teeth.
Yikes, I'll say. Remind me
July 25, 2007 - 21:30 ET by Chris NormanYikes. I'll say. Reminds me not to get on your bad side.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Chris, Don't get on my
July 25, 2007 - 21:30 ET by BlondeChris,
Don't get on my bad side.
:)
Duly noted. :) Sorry I
July 25, 2007 - 21:32 ET by Chris NormanDuly noted. :) Sorry I changed a couple of lines before your replies posted. I sometimes try to tune the jokes...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
No prob Chris. You can tune
July 25, 2007 - 22:30 ET by BlondeNo prob Chris.
You can tune a piano, but you can't tune a fish.
}}}----> Album cover quotes Blonde?
July 25, 2007 - 22:34 ET by Cool ArrowThings that were once vices are now habits.
The smoker you drink, the
July 25, 2007 - 22:38 ET by BlondeThe smoker you drink, the player you get.
We went to different schools together
July 25, 2007 - 22:40 ET by Cool ArrowThe Jaggerz
Cool, Can't think of
July 25, 2007 - 22:47 ET by BlondeCool,
Can't think of anything clever at all.
Tired beyond belief.
Night all...as usual...it's been fun.
Hot Tuna
July 25, 2007 - 22:49 ET by PawpawNYou Can Tune A Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish
}}}----> Hot Tuna Not
July 25, 2007 - 22:55 ET by Cool ArrowIt was REO Speedwagon
Go get your album cover!
July 25, 2007 - 22:56 ET by PawpawNGo get your album cover! Now whose album had that?
Huey Newton?
July 25, 2007 - 22:58 ET by Cool ArrowSteal this book
Abbie Hoffman
July 25, 2007 - 23:13 ET by botgtoo easy
"A Nod is as Good as a Wink to a Blind Horse"
or
"Shiek Yabutti"
(triple points for getting both)
Support our Troops
Sheik Yerbutti
July 25, 2007 - 23:20 ET by Cool ArrowThat one was Zappa.
Faces?
Triple
July 25, 2007 - 23:22 ET by botgidentity stamps
Support our Troops
Rod Stewart, Frank
July 25, 2007 - 23:24 ET by JPR1Rod Stewart, Frank Zappa......
Mona Bone Jakon?
Sorry
July 25, 2007 - 23:31 ET by botgit burned during the Carter admin
Support our Troops
It was REO
July 25, 2007 - 23:07 ET by PawpawNIt was REO!
Singer Sleeps On as Blaze Rages
July 25, 2007 - 22:56 ET by Cool ArrowIan Anderson circa 1969
The Street Giveth...and the Street Taketh Away
July 25, 2007 - 23:03 ET by PawpawNCat Mother and the All Night Newsboys. One of greatest LPs of all time, recorded Nov 1968, produced by Jimi Hendrix and Cat Mother. "The Street Giveth...and the Street Taketh Away" Cat Mother 3:14
My Bad, You are CORRECT
July 25, 2007 - 23:07 ET by PawpawNYou are CORRECT. My Bad!
Lying is a sin isnt it.So
July 25, 2007 - 20:05 ET by well99Lying is a sin isnt it.So congress is in big trouble as is MSM and the celebrities.Sloth is a Sin.So congress will really get nailed if those are taxed.Hopefully bad grammar and poor spelling isnt.Otherwise I just as well report to jail.
So, why not?
July 25, 2007 - 21:07 ET by mawendtwhy not tax the living snot outta those things that cause financial pain for everyone? call it a user fee, since not everyone would pay it, just those who use it.
look, what causes the vast majority of the health costs? alcohol abuse, tobacco, and promiscuous sex. yep, theres other stuff, but prolly more than 60% is related to the free choice of people - stuff i don't do, but i'm still paying for through my insurance.
people whined when some states mandated automobile safety belts and helmets for motorcycles, crying out that they were losing their 'rights'. but fatalities as well as minor injurys have been reduced because of it. look it up. same as mandating child booster seats.
legislating control over destructive behavior is the responsibility of a good government. thats why things like cocaine, foul language on television, mandated movie ratings, and age minimum of alcohol purchases exist. because it is effective in influencing bad behaviour. what bothers me is that conservatives should be leading the charge to protect us for the common good, including perhaps violence, tobacco, and alcohol use, as well as the crap spit out on TV and movies glorifying immorality, drug abuse, and violence. when did conservativism take the position that absolutely no limits or regulation is the best?
so we should legislate or even outlaw bad health behaviour, increase education teaching the hard, vile, disgusting facts of the use and abuse, and deny medical coverage for those who intentionally and with informed knowledge make poor choices. if they can pay for cigarettes, whiskey, or skip a condom at 25 they can pay for the consequences at 50 on their own. my opinion. maw
mawendt
July 25, 2007 - 21:14 ET by Blondelegislating control over destructive behavior is the responsibility of a good government
Therein lies the fallacy of your argument.
Prove to me how it is the responsibility of the government to legislate this when the most basic tenet of our country is "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".
Then, please compare and contrast individual "free will" with living by the rules of the government (think the Sov's).
Enjoy your assignment.
so, like...
July 25, 2007 - 22:07 ET by mawendt... restricting the use of cocaine, heroin, and non-prescribed by doctor medical drugs in the privacy of your own home, on your own property should be allowed, eh? or only adults over 21 should be allowed to buy and use marijuana because, we know of course, no one under 21 would ever get any of it. and that old speed limit thing... lets toss that off...
since only responsible people passing a test can get a license, let everyone ride their own way. at the same time we can throw out those obnoxious stop signs, building codes, and safety requirements designed to make the general population safe from themselves.
you were quick to quote the Declaration of Independence, kudos. how then do the words following correctly address that government serves the people, one of the ways by 'laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness'.
my point is, it appears that in the view of the writers of the DoI, as well as a little thing called the Constitution of the United States, repeatedly establish and reinforce that government shall govern and serve the citizens by restricting bad behavior that affects all citizens, creating a blanket guidance system called Laws that govern what is allowed and what is not. if paying for someone with lung cancer originating from smoking is influencing my happiness and restricting my liberty by making me, forcing me, to pay for it, well, heck, i'm happiest when you are forced to pay for my food, car payment, rent, and cable. silly, huh? but then that's why i am against universal healthcare on the principle it does not hold people responsible for their poor choices. i'd pay a healthcare tax to protect me and my family, but i'll be damned if i and the next 100 people should be required to pay for the chain-smoking cocaine using drunk next door. makes no sense.
no fallacy, no argument. just an opinion put forth based on reading the full texts of the DoI and Constitution and contemporary writings regarding the obligation and responsibilities of government.
finally, i believe the basic tenent of our government's influence on our country lies not in the DoI which cuts ties from a bad government, but rather the Constitution which establishes the framework for a new government, where the preamble defines governments role, including its role in determining that whole General Welfare and Tranquility thing. thanks for challenging me, though. i went and re-read it to make sure. maw
...
July 25, 2007 - 22:25 ET by mandrake...
"common good" =
July 25, 2007 - 22:00 ET by Mean Gene Dr. Love"common good" = Communism.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
c
July 25, 2007 - 22:14 ET by botgSupport our Troops
"look, what causes the vast
July 26, 2007 - 03:44 ET by ckc1227"look, what causes the vast majority of the health costs? alcohol abuse,
tobacco, and promiscuous sex. yep, theres other stuff, but prolly more
than 60% is related to the free choice of people - stuff i don't do,
but i'm still paying for through my insurance."
Darn this free country of ours. Never a good Stalin, Hitler or Mao around when you need someone to really straighten a country out.
}}}----> Syn Tax Error
July 26, 2007 - 04:23 ET by Cool ArrowYup, ckc.
Would be nice if I could opt out of Social Security and all those health costs brought on by risky behavior.
Millions of people consider
July 25, 2007 - 21:11 ET by SaseboSailorMillions of people consider homosexuality to be a sin. Given what AIDS has done to the world, I'd say this sin is at least as expensive as smoking. How about it?? Do you think we can get the libs to support a new tax??? I'm sure about 50% of the New York Times staff would be choking on their quiche.
Polish Smokers
July 25, 2007 - 23:05 ET by Cool ArrowI believe we could up the percentage to 40,000% for those who smoke pole, then, couldn't we?
Of course, these
July 25, 2007 - 23:00 ET by jdhawkOf course, these legislators are using slight of hand (that's PC for lying) when they say they are going after big tobacco. Nothing could be further from the truth. The tobacco companies will simply pass the taxes directly on to the users.
Meanwhile, look for the Altrias and the RJRs of the world, with tens of thousands of US employees presently, to move their operations off shore and then, their headquarters. They are already growing tobacco overseas where the lions share of their profits come from as well.
Liberals just can't get it into their heads that with communications and transportation being what it is today, corporations can choose to be headquartered almost anywhere on the planet.
Ever increasing taxes and litigation coupled with tens of thousands of pages of local, county, state and federal regulations, not the least of which is Sarbanes-Oxley, are pushing US companies to move their businesses off shore more and more.
Most of the companies in Europe have lower corporate taxes than here in the US.
It's Only a Sin if the Libs say it is...
July 25, 2007 - 23:12 ET by Felicia LuceI don't believe that "thou shalt not smoke" is one of the Ten Commandments. Oh, that's right, the Libs don't believe in the Ten Commandments.
The Libs support murder for convenience, lying, cheating, stealing, fornication, sodomy, etc, etc, etc..., but damn the person who smokes or eats a cheeseburger. It is another example of 'tax and spend liberals'.
Stop global warming. Ball-gag a Liberal.
}}}----> I Love Sin Taxes
July 25, 2007 - 23:32 ET by Cool ArrowThink about it. Here are two sin taxes.
Smoking... Who smokes? Why, the poor, that's who. I quit when the Tax went up $1.00 overnight this year. Not because I couldn't afford it, but because I'm really too smart to smoke anyway. Most people who make over $75,000 per year don't smoke anymore anyway. But look at the poor. They're always smoking.
The Lottery... Who buys all those scratch offs? Sucker's bet, right? Somebody will win but it won't be me. A slow moving 401k has got the Lottery beat hands down. And I won't even think of buying a Lotto ticket until the prize is aroun d $50 Million.
So let's keep these sin taxes going. They are sponsored by Liberals who are nothing more than Indian Affairs agents selling firewater.
The circle of death: 1)
July 26, 2007 - 00:46 ET by fitzfongThe circle of death: 1) Democrats fund junk scientists to make dubious claims, 2) Willing media parrots dubious claims to create public hysteria, 3) Trial lawyers file frivolous lawsuits based on junk science conclusions and media-created hysteria...make huge money, 4) Trial lawyers fund the Democrats.
Repeat ad nauseum.
Bring on the sin taxes!
July 26, 2007 - 00:46 ET by Mike BrattonI'm personally proposing taxes on adultery, fornication, and homosexuality, among others.
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport.com
Improper Syn Tax
July 26, 2007 - 02:13 ET by Cool ArrowHow would you collect?
"How would you
July 26, 2007 - 03:56 ET by ckc1227"How would you collect?"
One cute cheerleader at a time. ;)
Actually, this is far more
July 26, 2007 - 10:41 ET by dscottActually, this is far more insidious than you realize. Richardson - Dem candidate for POTUS recently claimed that even illegals should be included in universal health care as they were here and needed to be taken care of as well. Given that the Dems are trying to manufacture more votes via the illegals gaining citizenship or just skipping the formalities by voting based on "residency", what better draw for even more illegals than promising health care if you get over the border?
The second thing is, even if the so called sin taxes were increased as they wanted to, there is no way that the increased tax revenue would pay for socialized medicine as they are selling it. I say that because every state that has slapped a tax on tobacco and alcohol under the guise of offsetting health care costs over the last 40 years has not done so, it went straight to the general treasury. The Dems are pulling a bait and switch here with health care by proclaiming we must raise taxes for the children's sake when in fact it is only for shoveling more money into the tax coffers to offer more vote buying programs. If this premise flies, what the Dems have accomplished is an open ended shake down of the public's pockets, because they have the justification to raise taxes in other areas to make up the inevitable funding shortfalls for socialized medicine.
One look at Social Security's open ended funding requirements and the so called attempts to "save" the SS trust fund over years tells us exactly what the Dems intentions are. They will raid the Socialized Medicine trust fund just like they raided the SS trust fund; spend all the money on their vote buying scams by borrowing against the trust fund, when there is a short fall come they go back to the public for another tax increase and then start the cycle all over again. What do you think is going to happen by 2017 when the SS trust fund no longer takes in more money than it pays out??? You think for one minute that the Dems will allow their cherished pyramid scheme to collapse? NO, they will come back and raise taxes again and again and again until we are slaves of the government. If any CFO or CEO of a corporation behaved in this manner, they would be promptly arrested for embezzlement.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"