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Comments

1. #612499
   On February 5th, 2009 at 12:08 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

   Another positive reason for giving up cigarettes when I got out of the military many years ago.

2. #612502
   On February 5th, 2009 at 12:09 pm, rooster said:

   How many millions, or billions is in the pork package to help people stop smoking?
   The dems are pathetic!

3. #612503
   On February 5th, 2009 at 12:09 pm, Michelle Malkin said:

   Photo fixed!

4. #612504
   On February 5th, 2009 at 12:11 pm, iamsaved said:

   I understand they’ll need another 29 million smokers to pay for SCHIPs.

   Guess when the revenue drys up they’ll just have to find something else to tax in order to pay for their social programs. Maybe a tax on each grain of salt New Yorkers eat?

5. #612508
   On February 5th, 2009 at 12:15 pm, Ian said:

   “You know, this conversation doesn’t help my kids.” — Michelle Obama

6. #612510
   On February 5th, 2009 at 12:15 pm, sonofdy said:

   Guess when the revenue drys up they’ll just have to find something else to tax in order to pay for their social programs.

   My guess is food or drink.

7. #612511
   On February 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, Flyoverman said:

   The logic behind funding the S-CHIP is so irrational I can’t get angry, because I am so busy laughing. How any educated person could devise the method of funding they came up with without considering cause and effect is mind boggling.

   Circular firing squad.

8. #612512
   On February 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, frostrt said:

   On February 5th, 2009 at 12:11 pm, iamsaved said:
   I understand they’ll need another 29 million smokers to pay for SCHIPs.

   Guess when the revenue drys up they’ll just have to find something else to tax in order to pay for their social programs. Maybe a tax on each grain of salt New Yorkers eat?

   ————————————–

   They’ve already banned trans fat, and I believe they’re currently working on salt.

   I have an idea: the healthier they are, the more taxes they pay! If you refuse to contribute to the health care industry by actually becoming sick yourself, you’ll have to make up for it in taxes!

   sarc/

9. #612524
   On February 5th, 2009 at 12:22 pm, flmom said:

   iamsaved said:

   That is the whole point, once a Government entitlement program is in place, does it ever go away? {that’s rhetorical BTW}. They knew that taxing cigarettes is an easy way to make this palatable, after all, who is going to be the meany who argues against health coverage for children on the backs of smokers. They know they’ll have to find the funding elsewhere before long, but the important thing is, it is now a done deal.

10. #612528
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:24 pm, madmonkphotog said:

    Repeal the smoking bans across the nation. People unite! Smoke!

11. #612530
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:27 pm, iamsaved said:

    When they tax the cigarettes to the point no one can afford to smoke it’s either going to do one of three things. Many will just pay the price. More and more people will stop smoking because they can’t afford it. Or, the bootleg industry will grow exponentially and the government won’t get any tax revenue.

    I believe this is a two-pronged attack by the Dems. Goal 1 – Tax the tobacco industry with the goal where no one will smoke anymore and use the tax revenues to fund SChips for the short term. Goal 2 – When the revenue drys up because people stopped smoking, then look elsewhere to fund SChips as they won’t backtrack on that program once in place. Devious fellows they are.

12. #612531
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:27 pm, WarTip said:

    I wonder if it comes in a 44 ring? 44 centimeters in length would be rather large I think.

    Hmmmm, cuban seed grown in Nicaragua, a Madeira wrapper judging by the looks of it … if they would change the name, I may just try one … or is that racist to say that?

13. #612538
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:29 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    Pop’s in now going to give up his tobacco. Not because of the cost – nope. Because of Obomba and his plan to tax what he enjoys in order to give health care for free all the while he is stuck with Medicare and his daughter (my wife) has to go without.

    Stupid voters. Stupid FRIGGIN voters.

14. #612541
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:33 pm, richflanj said:

    It isn’t about children’s health. It’s about left-wing greed milking an industry dry. All that the tobacco industry has to do to show the true colors of Congress is hold a press conference, and announce that they are going to shut down all US production and sale of their product and move overseas. WATCH even the most liberal NAZI then. See how quickly they backpedal on taxing tobacco.

15. #612543
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:33 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Haven’t any of the kiddies read Ralph Waldo Emerson? Why aren’t they smoking their own cigars?

16. #612553
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:40 pm, EdDantes said:

    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:29 pm, On-my-soap-box said:
    Pop’s in now going to give up his tobacco. Not because of the cost – nope. Because of Obomba and his plan to tax what he enjoys in order to give health care for free all the while he is stuck with Medicare and his daughter (my wife) has to go without.

    Stupid voters. Stupid FRIGGIN voters.

    The good news is, under the current SCHIP plan with no oversight, you have a good chance of getting coverage, even if you aren’t a kid or a legal citizen.

17. #612554
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:40 pm, tarpon said:

    Wit until the roll your own crowd finds out that the new tax is $24 a pound.

18. #612560
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:43 pm, txvet2 said:

    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:27 pm, WarTip said:

    Hmmmm, cuban seed grown in Nicaragua,

    I’m not a smoker, so you’re probably right, but I read that as Cuban leaves as distinguished from local, which would make them illegal in this country (unless Obama repeals the trade restrictions on Cuba, of course).

19. #612564
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    I understand that patriot Bill Clinton just ordered a fresh box!

20. #612567
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:46 pm, get-off-my-lawn said:

    This is obviously an attempt by Obama, working at Hillary Clinton’s behest, to stop Bill’s “cigar habit”.

21. #612570
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:47 pm, tre said:

    Obama Heroine, now this.

    Duh One is REALLY bad for our health!

22. #612573
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:48 pm, JT said:

    I don’t smoke, but I work in NYC where a pack of cigs will be $9.00.

    Wonder how much more of an underground economy that is going to fund. Or better yet, how many terrorists.

    Stupid liberals.

23. #612578
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:50 pm, denver republican said:

    So the Congress subsidizes tobacco farmers, funds quit-smoking programs, and pays for socialized medicine by taxing smokers. Not even the old Soviet Union could have come up with a more ridiculous system.

    I quit smoking four-and-half-months ago, and just in time. Obama and the Dems can count on about $100 less for their socialized medicine program. Maybe I’ll donate that money to a right-wing think tank.

24. #612582
    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:52 pm, SSG David Medzyk said:

    I live in San Luis Obispo California. We are THAT little town that first banned smoking in public buildings, ie restaurants, bars, etc. and started the national trend.

    The city council is now debating banning smoking in public altogether.

    I hope to be among the first Americans cited for smoking in public, so I can sue the Govt. for forcing me to NOT pay taxes……….for the chilllldren.

25. #612595
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:01 pm, postobitum said:

    I’ve been trying to quit smoking for months, so I have to thank the dems for giving me another great reason to quit. It’s sad, but thumbing my nose at those idiots in D.C. is better motivation for quitting than my own health! I’m laughing and crying at the same time here…

    Bring on the food taxes – I need to lose twenty pounds!

26. #612603
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:04 pm, Weary Citizen said:

    So the Congress subsidizes tobacco farmers, funds quit-smoking programs, and pays for socialized medicine by taxing smokers. Not even the old Soviet Union could have come up with a more ridiculous system.

    LMAO. That’s a good one. I forgot about subsidizinf the farmers.

27. #612609
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:08 pm, Bacadog said:

    So the Congress subsidizes tobacco farmers…..

    Actually, tobacco producers get no subsidy from the government.

28. #612615
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:15 pm, WarTip said:

    Just for the record … Here in the Philippines, I can buy half packs of Marlboro or Winstons for about 50 cents a pack or almost a dollar for a full pack. I smoke the local ones as they taste better … but isn’t it amazing the difference in price for the same smokes.

29. #612628
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:20 pm, ThackerAgency said:

    A VERY good friend of mine is a smoker. He does NOT make a lot of money for him, his pregnant wife, and one on the way.

    His son currently qualifies for Medicaid. He is a heavy smoker. It is this person who will foot the bill for the health care for his own children.

    The logic is insane. Take people who can’t afford insurance (but can afford cigarettes), and get them to pay for the insurance when they buy cigarettes.

    I don’t smoke, so I won’t be supporting his kids’ new ‘free’ program. He will at a cost of $20/month or $250/year.

    Way to stimulate the economy by taking 250 bucks a year extra from people who are already on Medicaid to begin with.

    We really need to redo how we do government. This American experiment is getting ready to fail because we don’t have anyone responsible in DC.

30. #612630
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:21 pm, denver republican said:

    Bacadog, I can’t find the most recent data, but what I found on the USDA’s website shows tobacco subsidies having been paid as recently as 2004. Whether those subsidies are still in effect, I don’t know. Thanks for pointing that out.

31. #612637
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:28 pm, right_on said:

    It’s quite obvious that this plan is not intended to be funded by smokers. It is intended to create yet another entitlement program that will have to be funded on the backs of American “income” tax payers.

    If people actually stopped smoking, funding for the education programs this S(Bull)chip Tax initially brought in, would dry up. There is no way the entitlement this provides would be eliminated…it would be expanded…for the good of the children!

32. #612651
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:34 pm, Send_Me said:

    So what happens if the number of smokers drops in the coming years (due to an increased awareness of the health risks, increased costs or cancer, whatever)? Does the program go away or does the government raise other taxes to make up the difference? After all, for health reasons, don’t we all want the number of those who smoke to decrease? I sense a catch-22 here.
    And how do we know that only money from tobacco taxes is going to “the children”?
    Here’s my question of any of the “Constitutional scholars” we have in the White House or Congress: since when is government-run health care covered by the U.S. Constitution? Save the dribble and give me Article/Section or Amendment.

33. #612653
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:36 pm, b-cat said:

    Here’s my question of any of the “Constitutional scholars” we have in the White House or Congress: since when is government-run health care covered by the U.S. Constitution? Save the dribble and give me Article/Section or Amendment.

    I can’t remember the last time they referred/deferred to the Constitution.

34. #612654
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:36 pm, JDinTX said:

    Now Obama can give some stimulus to the cigar manufacturer to show his appreciation for helping the American economy. And for thinking that Obama is the saviour of the world.

35. #612661
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:38 pm, BruceB said:

    The day they turn to the alcohol industry to substantive their little projects, is the day all this stupid nonsense ends.
    And mark my words ” It won’t belong”

36. #612664
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:41 pm, Send_Me said:

    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:20 pm, ThackerAgency said:
    We really need to redo how we do government. This American experiment is getting ready to fail because we don’t have anyone responsible in DC.

    Yeah, if we’d just follow that document our Founding Fathers put together called the United States Constitution, our government would do just fine.

37. #612680
    On February 5th, 2009 at 1:49 pm, J S Ragman said:

    On February 5th, 2009 at 12:11 pm, iamsaved said:

    Guess when the revenue drys up they’ll just have to find something else to tax in order to pay for their social programs.

    Unfortunately, I’m thinking it will be arms and ammo.

38. #612710
    On February 5th, 2009 at 2:05 pm, twofoot said:

    Time to quit I suppose. And it’s one of the few vices I sincerely enjoy.

    Oh well, I guess I will start putting the money the wife and I save on cigerettes into ammo. Last time I was home I bought a wonderful little Bushmaster carbine. Next time I am home I plan on taking Mrs Twofoot shopping so she can get a new pistol. Hoping I can convince her to get a Kimber I was looking at a few weeks back. But whatever she wants is fine with me.

    Been making it a point since November to stock up on ammo and guns. Hey I’ll need something to cling to instead of nicotine, right?

39. #612775
    On February 5th, 2009 at 2:30 pm, eaglehaslanded said:

    Maybe now some families won’t have to make the choice between health care and, you know, food and shelter.

40. #612811
    On February 5th, 2009 at 2:46 pm, graysonret said:

    You can be sure the black market in tobacco is very happy. More trucks will be seen moving up I-95 to NYC. Prohibition didn’t work, and some shady people are going to make a lot of money on tobacco sales. “Bathtub marlboros” anyone?

41. #612815
    On February 5th, 2009 at 2:49 pm, twofoot said:

    LOL… What nonsense eagle. Is it my job to pay for your kids braces? Is it your job to pay for my kids glasses?

    Tell ya what, you pay for your family and let me pay for mine.

42. #612878
    On February 5th, 2009 at 3:29 pm, MagicalPat said:

    Here’s some more disturbing math. They say that smoking takes 7 years off of your life. Since smoking related diseases tend to strike older Americans, that would mean the 7 years you lose would be post retirement.

    So, prepare to have millions more people who are not generating income go on the Government payout list.

    The only thing saving Social Security is early death.

43. #612899
    On February 5th, 2009 at 3:42 pm, FamilyMan said:

    I smoke my pipe. Does that mean I’m patriotic?
    Remember smoking is an indigenous indian custom. We wouldn’t want to destroy their culture any more than we have, would we?

44. #612933
    On February 5th, 2009 at 4:09 pm, eaglehaslanded said:

    LOL… What nonsense eagle. Is it my job to pay for your kids braces? Is it your job to pay for my kids glasses?

    Tell ya what, you pay for your family and let me pay for mine.

    Mine! Mine Mine Mine! What are you, two?

45. #612944
    On February 5th, 2009 at 4:15 pm, FamilyMan said:

    eaglehaslanded said:
    Maybe now some families won’t have to make the choice between health care and, you know, food and shelter.

    It’s called working two and three jobs if you need to sport. Millions of us have and will continue to so, in order to take care of our responsibilities.

46. #612958
    On February 5th, 2009 at 4:24 pm, MarcoPolo said:

    Maybe now some families won’t have to make the choice between health care and, you know, food and shelter.

    LOL! Like anybody in America is actually going without.

    This will only drive the costs even higher.

    If this plan was any good, participation wouldn’t need to be mandatory, but there’s no freedom in socialism.

47. #612961
    On February 5th, 2009 at 4:26 pm, MarcoPolo said:

    Mine! Mine Mine Mine! What are you, two?

    What are you? In most scenarios, grabbing things that don’t belong to you is childish at best, and a felony at worst.

    Majority rule is tyranny.

48. #612964
    On February 5th, 2009 at 4:28 pm, TXRose said:

    Guess quitting three years ago was a good idea after
    all.
    OT…Another one that didn’t pay taxes. Solis had to
    be postponed for her confirmation hearing due to
    husband’s tax lien against his business…some of that
    is 16 years old.
    Don’t ANY dhimms pay their taxes? Guess BO, having
    cut his political teeth in Chicago thinks this is business
    as usual.

49. #613009
    On February 5th, 2009 at 4:49 pm, GaMidnightRider said:

    Welcome to the Socalist States of America comrade.

50. #613047
    On February 5th, 2009 at 5:12 pm, twofoot said:

    Mine! Mine Mine Mine! What are you, two?

    No. I am somebody who was raised with an understanding of responsibilities. As in, it is my responsibility to take care of my family. Just as it is your responsibility to take care of your family.

    Just because you are to lazy or inept to live up to your responsibilities, doesn’t mean everyone else is.

    Out of curiosity, what’s the specific article in the Constitution that states you have a right to healthcare? Or housing? Or a job for that matter?

51. #613050
    On February 5th, 2009 at 5:13 pm, Kevin K. said:

    Send_Me said: (#32)

    Here’s my question of any of the “Constitutional scholars” we have in the White House or Congress: since when is government-run health care covered by the U.S. Constitution?

    I’m not a real scholar, but I play one around some of my family.

    The direct answer is, except for its employees (civil service and military), government run health care or insurance is NOT Constitutional. (Nor is Social Security, to my reading.)

    However, as b-cat said in #33:

    I can’t remember the last time they referred/deferred to the Constitution.

52. #613056
    On February 5th, 2009 at 5:19 pm, right_on said:

    This just occurred to me…how is the illegal cigarette sales by the Hamas support groups going to continue to function with the addition of these new taxes?

    Yes! Obama IS fighting terrorism, albeit through the back door…

    …on second thought, sales might actually increase since they don’t pay taxes on those cigarettes anyway. DOH!

53. #613076
    On February 5th, 2009 at 5:39 pm, todd76705 said:

    Hmmmmmm, Michelle Malkin’s slipping a bit today. No comment about the president’s “glistening pecs.” I thought that was her favorite topic.

54. #613077
    On February 5th, 2009 at 5:40 pm, graysonret said:

    I’m confused. Virginia wants to ban smoking in public places and restaurants, yet the national government needs the smokers to support S-Chip.

    http://hamptonroads.com/2009/02/after-agreement-smoking-ban-appears-verge-passage

55. #613309
    On February 5th, 2009 at 9:06 pm, tbear44 said:

    Wanted: 24,000,000 more smokers to pay for this program.

56. #613310
    On February 5th, 2009 at 9:06 pm, tbear44 said:

    Wanted: 24,000,000 more smokers to pay for this program.

57. #613336
    On February 5th, 2009 at 9:45 pm, Kevin K. said:

    I predict increased sales of Indian Reservation tobacco products and increased black marketing of tobacco products. Maybe S-CHIP should be called the “Support Your Local Smuggler” Act.

58. #613339
    On February 5th, 2009 at 9:49 pm, rightisright said:

    “…but I work in NYC where a pack of cigs will be $9.00.”

    The mob must be in love Mayor Pinko Commie…what’s the black market price, $4 or 5 a pak?