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SMOKIN' NEW TAXES: Besides the obvious political benefits of being able to claim to raise revenue and appear strong against big tabacco, is anyone thinking through the new cigarette taxes in NYC? The Wall Street Journal hits it on the head today (Editorial, front section). Massive excise taxes barely ever raise significant revenue AND lower consumption, the two goals are simply contradictory. What the nex tax does is punish everyone too poor to be able to drive to New Jersey or Westchester. Reducing teen smoking is a noble goal, but it's not worth this injustice to lower income folks, especially when it's designed and implemented by their "friends", the democrats.
posted by Anonymous at 12:35 PM permalink