Cigarmakers in a panic: The federal tax on each cigar could rise from 5 cents to $10.

St Petersburg Times ^ | July 17, 2007 | JAMES THORNER

[MEGoody]

This is a ploy to get their hands on more money by demonizing a group that most people don’t like.

Bingo! And when people either quit smoking or find a way around the taxes, and revenues drop, then the government will find something else to tax.

[OBXWanderer]

This government is out of control. Given Congress’ low poll numbers, it will be interesting to see how much turnover there will be in 2008. Very little, I expect. The sheep are asleep.

Ahh, not all the sheep are asleep. Please see tag. Website in development, followed by an aggressive t shirt and sticker campaign, followed by, well, we shall see.

[CSM]

“The Democrat controlled Congress has sought an extra $35-billion to $50-billion...”

Tax revenues at an all time high, yet they still want more! Fargin icehole corksuckers!

[Gabz]

I have a bumper sticker, given to me several years ago by a friend that was running for Governor in Delaware:

RE ELECT NO ONE

I do believe it is time to put it on my car!!!!

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

That’s a step in the right direction. I’ll make a note to myself to check for your site.

[unixfox]

Sometimes you just have to wonder if they’re not intentionally trying to start an insurrection.

They are definitely stepping over lines. I hope they keep pushing, eventually we will have to take measures to stop this crap.

[BulletBobCo]

The article also states that "The Bush administration may inadvertently come to the industry's aid. The president has vowed to veto the bill, not over the cigar provision but over objections to expanding federally financed health care for the non-indigent."

[HoosierHawk]

I had my first one Sunday night. I loved it.

[Eric Blair 2084]

Heard Rush talking about this half an hour ago. It won't make a difference to him, he wipes his ass with $10 bills.

[Colorado Cowgirl]

You can buy tax free smokes at any military BX, PX Commissary in the world, but not Cuban cigars. I remember a carton of cigarettes for a dollar overseas in the sixties. I have long since given up cigarettes, but occasionally smoke a pipe with my grown up kids. I remember Boston having a tea party over the same kind of nonsense.

[Drew68]

there are far more who are fully supportive of such outrageous taxes, including many right here on Free Republic.

Yep, and many are too stupid to realize that once these draconian taxes force smokers to either quit smoking or start buying cigarettes off the black market, something else is going to have to be taxed to pay for the programs that smokers used to pay for.

The programs certainly aren't going to be de-funded! Children's healthcare! Who's going to cut that program?!?!?

Of course, it will be the smokers' fault for quitting. Somebody will try and find a way to tax former smokers for loss of revenue.

[RandallFlagg]

Somebody will try and find a way to tax former smokers for loss of revenue.

Some on FR have made the suggestion that those of us who roll/grow our own tobacco should be charged with tax evasion.

Remember that one, SheLion?

[Gabz]

Ain’t it the truth.

[gcruse]

“Are these not “cigar-ettes”? A distinction without a difference.’

Do me a favor. See if you can find and purchase a tin of “Between the Acts” little cigars. They look like brown cigarettes.

Light up.

Inhale.

Poke your lungs back down into your throat. These ain’t cigarettes.

[EGPWS]

"They had the Boston Tea Party for less than this."

The way it's progressing, just give it time.

A different era a different product.

All for the same reason however.

"control"

[svanni]

This must have been proposed by the same congressidiots who can’t balance their checkbook, pay their bills, get approved for credit cards, and have credit scores in the single digits. Coincidentally, these are also the congresspeople who are making laws to keep us in check. Criminals. And we elect them.

[EGPWS]

Some on FR have made the suggestion that those of us who roll/grow our own tobacco should be charged with tax evasion.

It probably will happen some day considering the promotion of taking away rights presently on a "legal" product.

Everything in government is living and breathing dontchya' know.

Individual rights be damned and mob rule status quo.

More people vote for for contestants on that goofy "idol" show these days than vote for government officials.

[BuffaloJack]

Some Indian is gonna be really rich. They can sell the cigars on the reservation sans tax and make a killing.

[Steamburg]

Its for the children? Can we say black market? Looks like there might be more free enterprise in Cuba and fewer trial lawyers. At least Castro admits he is a communist. Its time to import Cubans from Canada.

[mamelukesabre]

I will third your rant.

Although I am a low brow cigar smoker. I like the little cigars that come in a pack that you get at a gas station. I call them clint eastwood cigars. But I’m still with you in principle.