Dear Cigarette and Gas Tax Supporters…

November 5, 2006 at 4:14 pm nathan118 15 comments

Sorry..the light-hearted posts didn’t last very long.

In light of the government believing they should be able to tax certain products more than others (ie cigarettes and gas), I thought I would list a few things that should also be heavily taxed to deter bad behavior. After all, if the government can tax cigarettes because they’re bad for you, and gas so a bunch of guys can sit around and dream about alternative fuels, I think it follows logically to tax the following items:

1) Body Piercings – Piercing organs is dangerous, it should be discouraged.
2) Tattoos – It defaces God’s temple!
3) Motorcycles – You can die way easier than a car.
4) Fatty Foods/Obesity – Unhealthy lifestlyes should be discouraged.
5) Plastic Surgery – People should love themselves for who God made them.
6) Skis – You could die! (That one’s for Mike)
7) Videogames – They rott your brain.
(Insert the behavior you dislike here).

To all the people supporting the cigarette and gas taxes…if at any point in our country’s future a majority of the citizens support a tax on one of the above items, I don’t want to hear you complain. You did the same thing.

Just because a majority of people dislike a "bad behavior," it doesn’t mean the government should deter them.

Politics bad behavior, body piercings, games, god, lifestlyes, videogame

http://multioptipupiloptomy.blogspot.com /<evin

I’ll go along with a tax on ALL of those things, and here’s why… they ARE dangerous and the American public is about as smart as a rock and they only thing they understand is their bank account… some, not even that. So the only way the government has to protect it’s people is to slap ‘em where it hurts. If I want to kill myself, I have no problem paying extra for it. It’s the people who don’t realize they are killing themselves that are the problem. Maybe they don’t really want to die, but they don’t understand (nor will they ever) that poisoning yourself, piercing yourself, two wheels + 100 mph, McDonalds, Nip Tuck, pulling a Sonny Bono, and Wii will kill you. So we have to hit them with high prices to deter them. Bring it on!
http://www.theblarg.com nathan118

From Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law

LIBERTY

1 a : freedom from external (as governmental) restraint, compulsion, or interference in engaging in the pursuits or conduct of one’s choice to the extent that they are lawful and not harmful to others

b : enjoyment of the rights enjoyed by others in a society free of arbitrary or unreasonable limitation or interference
http://trentofuenny.blogspot.com Trento

“Just because a majority of people dislike a “bad behavior,” it doesnâ€™t mean the government should deter them.”

Democracy is “rule by the people” which can be interpreted as rule by majority which begs the question. If we vote in a dictator, do we still have democracy?
http://www.theblarg.com nathan118

Dictators typically aren’t voted on, and if they were, they probably prohibit future voting, thus making them a dictator. If a person can be voted out of office, they obviously aren’t a dictator.

Though that really has nothing to do with the concept of liberties and what the government is and is not allowed to tell people, regardless of whether a majority wants it or not.
http://trentofuenny.blogspot.com Trento

The point I was saying is theoretically people could vote away free speech, but then that soceity isn’t a democracy, so that should be prevented. Same thing as these taxes. It works in my head.
http://multioptipupiloptomy.blogspot.com /<evin

“to the extent that they are lawful and NOT HARMFUL TO OTHERS.”
http://www.theblarg.com nathan118

Any product in the wrong hands can be harmful to others. Just because I can go hit my neighbor with my shampoo doesn’t mean it should be taxed extra.

Cigarettes are lawful, and just like shampoo, are not necessarily harmful to others. Once again, public harm caused by cigarettes is not even up for a vote. If this were a law banning public smoking I would support it, because obviously then it would be harmful to others. This tax has nothing to do with harm to others, and is only encroaching on the liberties of others.
Denise

Taxing does relatively little to deter these (arbitrarily) determined “bad” behaviors, such as gas usage and cigarette-smoking. Relatively little, that is, in comparison with the great deal of harm increase taxation and government influence/intrusion have on liberty.

I need someone to tell me where in the constitution it states that it is the government’s job to “protect” me from anything except military power threat. The government is not my mom.

We are free to make good decisions and we are free to make bad decisions. That is what liberty means. Without either one, liberty dissolves.

Nathan, your suggestion that taxes on other (arbitrarily) identified negative behaviors might begin is not far off the mark. Obesity causers such as snack foods and fast food restaurants have already been targeted. Maybe we should tax all those exiting the grocery store who have purchased less than 10% green veggies?

Government taking responsibility for the things you and I should do for ourselves makes us LESS likely to take responsibility, not more, and leaves the government with more power and cash to make (arbitrary) determinations about what is good for you and me. If you’re willing to give up that freedom, no one is stopping you from mailing checks for a hundred dollars to the federal government every month. Just don’t force me to pony up to a big brother system in which I have to learn to insult my own intelligence and demean that of others so as to learn to enjoy losing my liberty.
Denise

Nathan, your comment on taxation of legal activities is an important one. Maybe we should impose a poll tax on all those who continue smoking (and check out the stats on who most smokers are. Hint, it’s not wealthy white people). Wanna vote and still continue in a habit some of us think is icky? Gonna cost you $20 to use your voting ‘rights.’
http://multioptipupiloptomy.blogspot.com /<evin

If we’re going to include among our “liberties” activities known to be a cause of death, why don’t we also legalize assited suicide? Who is the government to tell us we can’t kill ourselves? Silly government.

How come you’re not starting a petition to get rid of the extra tax already on cigarettes?
http://www.theblarg.com nathan118

I’m not sure you can equate smoking a cigarette to committing suicide. Can cigarettes kill you? Yes, over time it’s possible, but taking one toke on a cigarette is hardly equivalent to suicide. It makes for a good sounding argument, but it’s flawed. Following your logic…living, driving, and skydiving shouldn’t be considered liberties because they are “activities known to be a cause of death.”

As for starting a petition…it’s not a bad idea. How you start one and bankroll it though I’m not sure. Definitly worth looking into in my spare time.
http://multioptipupiloptomy.blogspot.com /<evin

so where DO you draw the line then as far as what the government can tell you on what is legal or illegal regarding your health and or life? You seem to have drawn it somewhere, but at the same time throw the “liberty” term around. Where is the line… and why shouldn’t I be allowed to cross THAT? And then why does my line have to be the same as yours?

Tax or no tax, no matter the proposition, part of the problem we are now in is that everyone is afraid to try ANYTHING. So NOTHING ever gets voted in toward any kind of real change. Now you can throw some examples at me to counteract that statement, but you have to agree…. there is a fear of change. I much more for trying new things and then if they don’t work, change them, unlike now, when we don’t change a thing.
http://www.theblarg.com nathan118

I think there is a reasonable line somewhere between smoking and suicide. Personally I find legislation and taxes on something as minor as cigarettes to be a huge overstepping of government’s responsibility. Something like suicide I think falls into a much more important category about valuing immediate life/death. All the “examples” we’ve both thrown out I think are minor things the government should just stay out of. Where do you draw the line? Obviously it’s not black and white and you’re allowed to draw your own line, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the discussion about where it should be. Even if none of us have changed our minds, I bet we all have a better understanding of why we stand where we do.

I’m not afraid of change. Cut the government in half and get rid of every social welfare program and we’re on our way!
http://multioptipupiloptomy.blogspot.com /<evin

I think we hit the nail on the head in the fact that what we really don’t like is the government telling us where our line is…. and since everyone’s line is different, pleasing everyone is a tough task.
Denise

Suicide is not illegal, but murder is. Assisted suicide is a nice way to say murder, and there are ethical considerations associated with the healing arts of medicine which make assisted suicide questionable. The legalization of this ‘mercy murder’ could radically change the ways we perceive health, death, and the purpose of medicine. But if states choose to legalize, I don’t think it should be taxed.

Dear Cigarette and Gas Tax Supporters…

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