Coffee targeted as Seattle tax source/They drained the smokers, now it's coffee!

MSNBC ^ | June 1, 2002 | Associated Press

[gcruse]

“Coffee, in a way, it’s kind of a luxury item,”

The hell it is.  In that overcast, dreary, cold,
wet climate, coffee is the only legal way of
surviving.  I am so happy to have gotten out
of that miserable climate.  Hail sunshine!

[fjsva]

My wife has always claimed my coffee is a drug. And, I claim her choclate is a drug also. So we're even.

[Lucas1]

Well who is at fault here? The people...the people of Seattle. It is not the fault of anyone else..the voters have complete control over what is taxed. If people would revolt then there would not be a tax. It is plain and simple...the power is with the people. People refuse to stand up and say NO...

[SheLion]

My wife and I run an Independant Espresso,Drive Thru/Cafe. We are going to do everything in our power to stop this!

See how "they" get their foot in the door? They KNOW coffee is the America's favorite, so they figure "Wow, I bet we can get a LOT of tax money off of IT!"

These coalitions will get their money one way or the other!

[SheLion]

Don't wanna sound like I'm whining, but the government has honestly been my biggest obstcacle to my business thriving and bringing my customers a good value.

I don't want to sound like "I'm" whining either, but can you imagine how the cigarette taxes have hurt people? And the Boards of Health going into a business and FORCING THEM TO GO SMOKE FREE?

When a person puts his blood, sweat, tears and money into his own business, that's what it should remain: his own.

[SheLion]

Enter Special guest star Rob Reiner......

I bet that fat SOB doesn't even PAY taxes. He's a fat dirtbag. Excuse me, but I can't STAND that glob!

[SheLion]

People refuse to stand up and say NO...

Lucas, people refuse to believe it can happen to them. Then when it does, then they scream. But only after it's too late.

[usconservative]

“Coffee, in a way, it’s kind of a luxury item,” said Patty Grazini

Not in my house it isn't! Luxury item? More like a downright necessity.

Anyone who knows me would tell you that I'm downright nasty without my first few cups of coffee in the morning.

I guarantee if this Patty Grazini broad ever met me sans coffee, she'd change her tune in a big hurry! She'd be standing on street corners giving away coffee.

Stupid liberals. Is there anything they haven't taxed yet?

[SaveTheChief]

We used to laugh at smoking restrictions...

Regardless of the intention, the State of Indiana has come up with another way to penalize smokers. They have passed a law making it illeagal to dispose of a lit cigarette butt out of a car window. New law starts being inforced July 1.

This is only the beginning. I wonder where this will lead.

[swarthyguy]

Digital Angels required by your HMO will monitor your nicotine, caffeine, fat and leafy green vegetable intake not to mention your alcoholic or any other subversive substance. In real time. Howzat?

[GailA]

Hey after all only rich folks drink this fancy high dollar coffee.

[SheLion]

Hey after all only rich folks drink this fancy high dollar coffee.

There you go. heh! :)

We don't have a STARBUCKS up here. So, I won't have to worry about it.

[185JHP]

You couldn't be more wrong. The government can, should and will control businesses - don't like it? Do something else. Businesses are servants of the people - and people get protected by government.

[SaveTheChief]

Digital Angels required by your HMO will monitor your nicotine, caffeine, fat and leafy green vegetable intake not to mention your alcoholic or any other subversive substance. In real time. Howzat?

I feel so much better now, thank you.

[GailA]

Me either..I grind my own..Kroger brand. Taste better than that pre-ground stuff. We drink nearly two pots a day in this house. I'm not human until the second cup.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Now COFFEE is a DRUG!!!!

Of course it is, but that doesn't make it a bad thing.

[lowbridge]

Memo to Starbucks headquarters:

There are other states to choose from. :-)

[hinckley buzzard]

All for it. What they deserve for inflicting Starbux on an unsuspecting nation.

[Washington_minuteman]

"BUT IN Seattle, where voters have already voted to tax tobacco, meals and hotel rooms, among other things, initial word of the proposal caused barely a jolt among the area’s latte lovers."

It has been said that people get the kind of government they deserve. The majority of Seattle's residents must be under the impression that if you can afford to stay in a hotel, eat out at a resturant, smoke tobacco, or drink flavored coffee, then you're liable to support the daycare and early-learning of the region's single and poor parents.

By the time it gets this far, it's too late. Attitudes have to be changed, and in the largest population center of Gary Locke's fiefdom, that isn't very likely. It's redistribution of wealth, by any other name. Isn't socialism wonderful?

[Washington_minuteman]

"... then you're liable to support the daycare and early-learning of the region's single and poor parents."

Should read "then you're liable to support the daycare and early-learning for the children of the region's single and poor parents.