DK found some lamps, they are so lovely, I know we will hang them all over, but for now let's admire them...and on this dark and stormy night it sure has made it cozy here...and I put John Mellencamp on the JukeBox.....I hope that is okay.....
....I have pumpkin muffins on the counter, and sqaush soup in the crock pot....
So did you hear that in Oregon today they upped the Cigarette taxes to pay for Kids Without Insurance, how do you all feel about that ?
I have some feelings ..but I need to make some coffee first....
9 comments:
A little update on the cigarett tax to pay for kids health care in Oregon.
#1 the first wave of Statewide election results show:
53% voting NO
47% voting YES
Next results in 1/2 hour. Not a done deal yet!
If it is a really close vote, it could take days or weeks to certifiy the final result as it would go to an automatic recount.
I agonized over this one, not because of the ethical question of taxing smokers, but because it was written as an Amendment to the Constitution.
We have the ballot initiative process, so anyone can put things up for vote if they can get enough signatures to put it on the ballot.
I don't favor cluttering up the State Constitution with things that don't belong there (is supposed to be foundational), but people make them constitutional amendments so as to avoid others tinkering with or dramatically changing the original intent.
As for taxing smokers-- I figure there are many reasons I am OK with it.
#1- Smoking cigarettes is not a necessity, if someone does not like the tax, they can opt to not buy cigarettes.
#2- Who has been picking up the tab for smokers when they get sick, with big ticket medical costs like lung cancer? The rest of us who don't smoke.
#3- Maybe the tax would encourage someone to quit smoking.
#4- The big tobacco industry lobby has been screwing us over for years..... time they should take a hit.
#5- Kids are effected by smokers, exposed to 2nd hand smoke.
#6- The Federal Government seems to not be able to secure funding for Children's healthcare, why not establish a State level safety net.
I should point out as well, that Oregon State does NOT have a sales tax. Individuals pay some of the highest taxes in the nation, as a result.
So still waiting to hear......
Personally, I grew up with a parent who smoked 3 packs a day. The smoke made me physically sick- and I loathe the cigarette industry.
If the tax could help a child, or encourage someone to quit, I'm OK with that.
To be continued....
I am curious to hear your thoughts.
Sorry, last post came up 3x.
As of 10:18PST the media is officially declaring the cigarette tax measure as FAILING
Measure 50 Tobacco tax for children’s health care
Yes 348,372 40%
x-No 520,680 60%
The measure would have added an .85 cent tax to every pack of cigarettes.
The tobacco industry paid a crazy sum of money to fight this. Hopefully they will give me that number in tomorrow's news.
The Heart Association & other health associations backed the measure.
I wonder how many of the no votes were because of the constitutional issue I mention in my last post?
Big tobacco played the tax fear card-- if they can tax cigarettes, what next?
ooops....Hmm, I hope someone was not shy....oh well...Fran...I am ambivilant..I just hate the idea that we are telling people- go ahead and smoke,get cancer...you will be helping the kids...that just seems wrong...and definently a mixed messege...I do think there should a Safety net that each state could set up- that I so agree with, I think it should be a Luxory Tax, on the Wealthy- over 300,000 a year- 2% to the Welfare of State Kids- it could fund education, meals at school, and pre and post school care, and also healthcare, and also a Liquor tax...those are my ideas..and that Smokers should not be taxed- the Tobacco companies should be taxed- for ever 100$ they sell of sigs- 10 should go to child issues of above..those are my ideas...
and yes, the Feds don't want to do anything..so I think in the end even healthcare will end up be run in everystates....that would solve alot of problems-
children, homeless, middleclass folks ( 51 million at this rate) need healthcare...as much as Bush makes fun of "Socialized medicine " (that he gets daily), we have more UNINSURED and UNCARED for than the ENTIRE POPULATION OF CANADA...wow....WOW...
oh, I have wandered off subject ...sorry....
More coffee ?
So sorry Fran we were trying to talk at the same time ;-)
So the kids lose AGAIN???
so sad....
and Big Tobacco wins again....so shock..
Oregon is a "Blue State", by virtue of it's progressive larger cities- Portland, Salem & Eugene, maybe Ashland.... but eastern oregon is lots of farms & ranches- pretty red (neck)? on the other side of the mountains.(no offense to those who are not, but things change dramatically east of the Cascades).
The campaign was certainly NOT promoting smoking to care for the kids.... it was a luxury tax on a group that has really *taxed* the health care system itself, by virtue of it's self destructive nature. I think it was realizing some folks will not quit smoking, so make it be a reciprical(sp?) thing.
In any case Big tobacco spent $12 MILLION dollars to fight little Oregon's tax. They saturated ad space with their tax/fear campaign.
I'm for whatever it takes to get the kids what they need. While I don't believe smokers should bare the brunt of it...(I don't smoke)...it needs to come from somewhere. Maybe they should take a little time and come up with something better. There could be a provision on the income taxes that could be spread out among the public at large equally. The numbers would be higher...and people probably wouldn't have to pay much really...just cents per person. It's worth it.
what should have happened is the evil Tobacco companies could be easily taxed...and that would solve the problem...sigh...can't believe how this country treats people, children and elderly and vets...that really does leave only 3 fat greedy white men in suits laughing as we all struggle...sigh...
hey sumo I need PIE ;-P
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