A Ten Dollar Tax on Cigars?

OK . . .  Now I'm really mad. 

The democrat controlled congress is seeking a ten dollar tax per cigar to pay for the rising cost of children's health care.  Can you believe it?  Ten dollars per cigar???  That's not per box, but per cigar . . .

Bush says he'll veto the tax increase if it ever gets to his desk--not because he favors cigar smoking, but because of other provisions in the bill which would expand federal health care.

While I am not thrilled with the democrats or the republicans these days, this is what democrats do--raise taxes.  Enough already! 

Click here: Business: Cigarmakers in a panic

Can you just imagine the impact this would have on the Reformed tradition?  We are already cranky enough as it is.  What would we do after those long synod and classis meetings?  This would set back friendships and fraternal relations for generations!  

Comments

[Mark T.]

At $10, they might as well outlaw them altogether. No one in their right mind would buy one cigar, much less multiple cigars. Socialism, here we come!

[pilgrim]

Since I don't live in the US & I don't smoke cigars (But yes I am Reformed...)
I'm not concerned--I don't smoke them because the smell makes me gag. It's one of my least favorite smells in the world--right after skunks, pigs & fish.

But there are things I would hate to see taxed like that...

[dlzr]

Well this means that all reformed pastors are going to have to preach about double tithing so that they can afford the cigar tax. It is simple trickle down economics. I'm surprised this is not taught in our nations fine reformed seminaries, especially those in Southern CA. If this law passes, perhaps I will go into the ministry so I can continue to enjoy a Cohiba Black cigar.

[zrim]

good. cigars are nasty; you get no sympathy here. give me a traditional pipe or d'jarums or even cigaritos anyday.

zrim

[Alan Kurschner]

Kim,

Given the ignorant anti-cigar mentality out there, this is not suprising.

When I am enjoying one of my favorite Ashton VSG cigars, I still frequently have people ask me if I inhale the smoke. I reply, "Are your taste buds in your lungs?"

When I smoke my cigars to the glory of God, I know the sweet aroma rises to the accepting nostrils of our Lord.

"I don't smoke them because the smell makes me gag. It's one of my least favorite smells in the world"

You have then not been around fine cigars such as Partagas, Padron, Ashton Cabinet, or any Fuente.

If only more people would appreciate this carnal pleasure of life.

[pilgrim]

All forms of tobacco smoke make me gag, as a kid if people visited that smoked I would hide their cigarettes or whatever they smoked. But of all the forms of tobacco smoke out there I find cigars the worst--then American cigarettes (they do smell different than Canadian ones.)

But I'm not going to condemn anyone for smoking cigars--I'd just prefer you don't smoke them in my presence and ask you to understand if I leave if you light one up--it's nothing against you personally--I just can't handle the stench (or aroma--your choice.)

But again I'm up here in Canada aand will be unaffected personally.

[Conibear Trapp]

Two thoughts on this:

1. Congress is only doing this to rile up Rush Limbaugh. It will never pass.

2. Real men smoke pipes anyway.

[PB]

Leave aside for a moment what Spurgeon might say. I simply quote from an advertisement for Punch cigars (a particularly noxious brand, but never mind) = "I use cigar smoke as an idiot repellant"

[timinator]

pilgrim
I agree with you that cigars or cigarettes are bad smelling and they to make me gag. However, if my pastor's and others wish to smoke those cancer sticks then that is there right and congress is out of line.
I think we get taxed enough as well as getting ripped off at the gas pump. So I hope congress looses this tax bill as it stinks as bad as my pastor's cigar.

[Cigar_Lover]

Pilgrim,

Would you mind sending me a few Cubans? :)

[Chris Sherman]

Not to fear, if it ever becomes a law all you have to do is find a medical use for them or grow your own.

[Tyler]

Time to quit!

[zrim]

i am with carl trueman on this whole "carnality as a fulcrum for piety" subtext. it maketh me laugh. my secular rearing serves me well. what is it with you christians who brandish your abstention as evidence for your squeaky piety? and what is it with you others who use it to flaunt your liberty, freedom and strength? why can't the fulcrum simply be personal preference? when it comes to certain "carnalities," and politics give me a secularist anyday. he has no temptation to import eternal truth into any of it.

speaking of smoking and politics (and pilgrim!), you whiners about how smoking is getting run out of public places will have my sympathy once i no longer have to excuse myself after the last course and before the flan, huddle myself into the corner of some seedy quaratined room to relive myself and may instead use your left shoulder. certain practices, while both necessary and perfectly fine, are just plain nasty and unsantitary and *should* be done away from a public that doesn't ask for it. zippers and matches ought to be handled with care.

zrim

[Alan Kurschner]

*Alan sticks a cigar in zrim's mouth and tells him to smoke the subtext... :-)

[zrim]

mmmmm...two great tastes that *don't* go great together. i'd rather have chocolate and peanut butter.

zrim

[pilgrim]

Hmm, don't get me started on gas taxes--they're horrible in Canada.

I'm all for rendering to Caesar as Jesus told us--but I wish they'd do it more responsibly--and that goes for all parties.

[carolyn]

Anybody who wants the government to provide for their medical care, and wants medicare and prescription help during retirement, has a responsibility to allow their government to raise money for that same medical care.

Responsible taxes on those things that contribute to bad health is very logical.

How do we tax people sitting in front of computers all day? Lack of exercise, hummm, ten bucks for every website you access should do it.

We all know that the government will take the money raised for health care and save it for that very purpose. Like they have done with social security and pension funds :)

Best to be mentally ready for third world living. Cigars will be the least of your losses.

[Carson]

It's crazy. I thought cigars were illegal for chirrens, anyway. Kiddin'. The UK is proposin' placing fat folks and smokers at the end o' the live for the national health service. As you know, what the government giveth, it can taketh away. Incidentally, the claim was that smokers cost the NHS 4 million pounds a year. The very same paragraph reports that tobacco revenues add 7 million pounds a year in taxes.

[ginamina]

"I'm not concerned--I don't smoke them because the smell makes me gag." I've never tried a cigarette. That smell makes me gag! But a fine cigar I DO enjoy. I'm with Alan on this one.

I don't know how it is in Canada, but in America, if the cigar smoke bothers you, leave the cigar lounge. It's about the only place I see people smoke.

Did Congress ever think about the ramifications that this tax will have on the many small business owners who run these already struggling cigar stores? This tax will cost the American people MORE than what it will make.

[David Cronkhite]

I half hope they pass this tax.

It would certainly enlarge the black market for smokers so we can pay a fair price and show congress that raising taxes doesn't necessarily raise revenue.