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By D. Clay Hays Generally, unless given the opportunity to vote on an issue, I do my best to leave the law making to those we've chosen to do so for us. But when Arkansas Legislators so blatantly impose an unfair tax (Arkansas Tobacco Tax – House Bill 1204), I feel compelled to respond. Apparently, while I wasn't looking, it became acceptable to single-out one group of taxpayers to raise funds for something that will benefit all. Well sure, Little Rock could use a Trauma Center and perhaps we tobacco users do need to quit anyway. But, I believe this is called "taxation without representation" and didn't we kick somebody's ass over that once? I also submit this for your consideration; smoking statistics in the United States indicate that 33% of all those living below the poverty level smoke cigarettes. Therefore, as this same low-income group is also the least likely to have medical insurance, the taxpayers who will bear the brunt of this particular tax hike couldn't afford to step inside this new Trauma Center much less get treatment there. Making this travesty even harder to fathom is the fact that they voted said tax into law during such hard economic times and with the knowledge that a Federal tax increase on tobacco was also about to be imposed. Well, both increases have now taken effect and a single pack of any decent brand of cigarettes is more than $5. They'd like us to believe this is an attempt to get tobacco users to quit and live a healthier lifestyle but does that really fly? For if we all quit smoking, dipping and chewing then no money comes in and no Trauma Center gets built. Hmmm. You can fall for that crap if you want to but I think I'll stick to reality. The more logical theory is they are simply taking advantage of the fact that tobacco users suffer from addiction. They know you're hooked and will continue to smoke/dip/chew regardless of the cost, which makes you an easy mark and a never-ending source of revenue. Sounds more like good, old-fashioned greed to me, but surely not, not in Arkansas! My one word of advice for Arkansas taxpayers is to watch your backside, particularly if you're a drunk, eat a lot of fast food or don't practice safe sex because apparently, they are now taxing citizens according to their unhealthy habits! My one question for Arkansas legislators is "Who the Hell do you think you are?" Can I get a Hell Yeah? How do you feel about it?........Clay If you'd like to comment on this post please use the Contact form.
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Arkansas' Unfair Tobacco Tax
