Posted on 05/28/2005 9:42:26 AM PDT by SheLion
A coalition of religious and community groups will launch a drive today to put universal healthcare on the 2006 state ballot, in a proposal that would raise the cigarette tax to buy coverage for more people and would require all but the smallest Massachusetts businesses to cover their workers.
The latest on punitive action against smokers in Massachusetts for your information and dissemination:
"A coalition of religious and community groups will launch a drive today to put universal healthcare on the 2006 state ballot, in a proposal that would raise the cigarette tax to buy coverage for more people and would require all but the smallest Massachusetts businesses to cover their workers.. Under [Uxbridge Democrat state Sen. Richard] Moore's similar proposal, the state would add 50 cents to the $1.51 per pack cigarette tax, a move that might raise as much as $150 million a year.
Much of that money would be used to expand MassHealth, the Bay State's Medicaid program.... Nevertheless, the leaders of the healthcare campaign say there is a moral and religious imperative to make sure that every citizen is covered. Eddly Benoit, a church elder at Dorchester's Temple Salem Seventh Day Adventist Church, said that up to a fourth of the members of that congregation lack health insurance."
I just saw that. Mass is one of the bluest states in the Union. That's why I said: it's time for to go!
Socialism distributes poverty evenly
I'm in favor of this. Let MA be the guinea pig.
There is a saying about the lawmakers:
"When they are too gutless to cut spending, stick it to the smokers and claim it's for their own good."
" but what business is it of theirs or any religious group to get involved in what the state does with taxes?"
Why not start taxing churches property tax? They use municipal services just like any other business.
If these Religious "leaders" are so concerned about the lack of coverage of their congregations, let them pay for it by giving up their tax exempt status and start paying taxes like all other businesses.
I'm sure that would more than cover the needs, and since they are so in favor of raising taxes on some people, they will be more than happy to carry their fair share. /sarcasm
Ya know.. I have been thinking about this universal health care stuff.. and not only will they tax smokers to death to fund it, but its a perfect way to say "Sorry you cant smoke anymore, your costing the state too much money by smoking"
Once the govt controls your heath care, they pretty much control your life. They can justify it by saying "sorry thats too risky, you will cost the universal healthcare fund too much if you smoke/drink/ride a motorcycle/own a gun.. whatever they feel like.
Is there some minimum of coverage specified without regard to whatever it costs? Will the state act as the insurer of last resort? Will all the expensive cases get dumped on the state? Is the Pope Catholic?
If that day ever comes, we may as well just shoot ourselves and be done with it. Then will be they get the money!
Ahm, well we see it however most of the public doesn't.
After all when people are asked what their opinion of John Bolton is the most prominent answer is "Oh, he has another song out?"
Boy, that takes the air out of the balloon, doesn't it!
There was an OLD woman in line for cigs at a local gas station right after Jacob's Field was built with "sin" tax money. She lamented that while she helped build it, she couldn't even have a cig while attending a game.
Her solution is one I have never forgotten; "Every smoker in the country should quit buying cigarettes for ONE MONTH. The government would be paying us to start smoking again."
If it ever gets to the point where that is the answer to the problems of most then I can guarantee you will see a massive change in the tax code when it comes to death by suicide. ; (
I've said that a lot. If everyone could just stop buying cigarettes for even a week, the government would start going into a tail spin.
It was just a for instance. I would never do something like that.
But if the government gets that much control over our lives, we may as well sit in a corner and rock ourselves to death.
An idea worth contemplation if it could be organized for it would be very effective.
Money, after all, is the governments life blood.
I know that, silly! ; )
My point to be taken in my reply is they will get their money one way or another, whether it be through life OR death.....
I know of two organizations that may be able to help; FORCES, Int'l. and NYC CLASH. The president of CLASH is preparing to run for Mayor against the smoking nazi himself, bloomberg, so am not to sure how involved they she would get.
I would also be willing to do whatever is necessary.
The ONLY way to get the attention of a politician is to stifle the cash flow.
Anything else is a moot effort.
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