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Some of the first taxes to be raised have traditionally been those euphemistically known as “sin taxes”, with the tobacco industry being the current target. The Federal government has recently increased the tax on cigarettes to $1.01 per pack and a local State government has increased it even further to an additional .45 per pack. There is also legislation being considered to raise alcohol taxes. Proponents of these taxes will argue that tobacco and alcohol are a drain on our health care system and that as such should be excessively taxed to fund said system. In some ways this argument makes sense until you remember that neither the sale nor usage of Alcohol and Tobacco is illegal in this country. Gambling is also legal in certain states and has been given by the Federal Government as a gift to the Native Americans as recompense for past evils. So the question comes to mind, “Is our government the pusher of our addictions?” Think about it for a moment; a dope dealer starts you off free or on the cheap and then when you’re hooked starts increasing the price and restricting the product. A bookie will take your bets and let you slide for a while until you are so far in they own you. How is our government behaving any differently? The Federal and State governments are getting fat revenues to fund their fat initiatives from the addictions/enjoyments of the American people. This affects us on the Eastern Shore in very real and immediate ways. Increases in alcohol taxes mean higher prices in bars and restaurants. Higher room taxes mean higher rates for our hotels and motels. These increases make our resort town more expensive to our visitors; their stays become shorter and their dollars spent are decreased in value to them and revenue to us. During these tough economic times is this really the right way to go? Should tobacco be legal? That is a question I will let each one of you decide for yourself but what isn’t a question is that we will force more Americans to loose their jobs because of higher taxes on an industry. And, finally, who can forget all the promises made by our elected officials about how great gambling is for a community, county and State. If gambling is such a magic bullet then why are taxes still being raised to cover shortfalls in States revenues? Taxes directed at a single industry to advance social doctrine are wrong. To increase taxes on a certain segment of the population because you don’t agree with what they eat, drink or how they spend their time is unconstitutional.
ocdevilsadvocate
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