SunJournal.com - Tax it, tax it, tax it


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Posted By:dr. dosh at May 22, 2008 6:09 AM (Suggest Removal)
Soda pop is junk food , by definition : sugar and carbonated water , 140 empty calories per 12 oz . The taxes on alcohol and smokes are simply sin taxes . Alcohol kills germs . i don't really drink or smoke myself . It all makes pretty good sense to me , the current tax structure , also . if i were to tax or outlaw anything next it would probably be guns and bullets . But i am just a doctor , and the British are not coming any more . 300,000,000 people , 186,000,000 guns . Alo'ha *

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Posted By:Douglas at May 22, 2008 7:16 AM (Suggest Removal)
Self righteous much? Since when does your nanny state opinion become the law of the land? I work some sixty hours a week, own a house, maintain a great relationship with my wife and children, and graduated with honors from college... oh, and I drink. If you want to tax something destructive in this state, tax sloth. There's a sin tax for you.. sloth. Tax those who live off of the system with no remorse. Tax those who do not work for the food that is on their tables. Tax the second and third generation drains on our society that Augusta keeps taking more and more money from the working class to support. The answer isn't more taxes; nor is it holding the hands of the people to make sure they make correct choices. We live in a free country where we should also have the freedom FROM finger pointing twits such as yourself.

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Posted By:Garrett at May 22, 2008 7:23 AM (Suggest Removal)
In a country so health conscious....it is too bad that whole foods/natural foods cost far more than their less healthy alternatives.

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Posted By:Douglas at May 22, 2008 7:28 AM (Suggest Removal)
True, I can get a double cheeseburger, fries, and a soda for three dollars...roughly the cost of half a sandwich at Whole Foods.

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Posted By:horsefeathers at May 22, 2008 7:44 AM (Suggest Removal)
Bravo to Douglas on his "sloth report" , invariably someone says it like it is. Taxing is not the answer, no more than earmarking the new tax to the failed Dirigo program is. It seems that there are no sacred cow earmarks except those given the anointment by Balduci. Obviously bond money for roads and transportation did not get the nod. eventually, a non partisan professional politician exodus in Maine would help.

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Posted By:helga at May 22, 2008 7:52 AM (Suggest Removal)
Garrett and Douglas, Im with you-sick of paying for losers!

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Posted By:Bravo 6 Alpha at May 22, 2008 8:19 AM (Suggest Removal)
Karen have you ever wondered why your partner became a drunk? But seriously, alcohol is a dangerous vice. So are greasy french fries, hamburgers, and much of the junk food found at most fast food joints. Why not tax grass and other drugs? Why not tax children? If you have more than one, pay a tax on the second and subsequent children.

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Posted By:helga at May 22, 2008 8:32 AM (Suggest Removal)
bravo 6 alpha, the last time I checked grass and drugs are NOT legal, therefore you cant tax them. I would however fully support a tax for those who keep having kids that they cant support, oh what am I thinking, thats what the rest of us working Mainers are for. Anyone ever heard the phrase "work harder people on welfare are counting on you"

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Posted By:Matt at May 22, 2008 9:51 AM (Suggest Removal)
This trend of taxing different products at different rates accomplishes 2 things. One, an increase in revenues without riling up ALL of the masses, and two, it allows the legislature to police lifestyles. It's funny how the party of individual choice seems so willing to take away our choices... seatbelts, smoking in restaurants, smoking in YOUR car, and now the do-gooders in Portland are talking about doing away with designated smoking areas OUTSIDE!! I'm not even a smoker- it disgusts me, but I cannot believe that we put up with these gradual infringments on personal choice! I guess as long as we retain the right to kill the unborn that should be enough! Once again the hypocrisy of the left astounds....

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Posted By:PLS at May 22, 2008 10:06 AM (Suggest Removal)
I find this all too amusing...We need to put well educated and qualified people in place to run this big business, called Maine...First of all the health care is some type of smoke screen per usual...Anyone can get free care from a hospital by simply applying for their own free or reduced programs. Tax booze or a soda and the hair stands up but screw a smoker?, Double standard in my book! I for one will be attending college to learn to be politacally correct and eventually try and make some real changes. Taxing the poor or unfortunate in this state is not the answer period! By less and show the state we are tired and fed-up!

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Posted By:Lil at May 22, 2008 10:09 AM (Suggest Removal)
Who's the self righteous twit? "I work 60 hours a week, and you don't, so I'm better than you!"

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Posted By:BRUCE at May 22, 2008 10:09 AM (Suggest Removal)
Maine people used to refer to Massachusettes as "TAXACHUSETTES" well now they can refer to Maine as "TAX ME."

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Posted By:J.M. at May 22, 2008 10:15 AM (Suggest Removal)
I agree, Matt.

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Posted By:Matt at May 22, 2008 10:20 AM (Suggest Removal)
Jane, that's twice in one week!

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Posted By:J.M. at May 22, 2008 10:28 AM (Suggest Removal)
I know!

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Posted By:Clark at May 22, 2008 12:46 PM (Suggest Removal)
Well, I'll throw in two cents, what the heck...All that junk food and fast food contributes to the obesity in this state, as well as the chronic diabetes which is showing up in younger and younger people. So go ahead and tax my beer...but pay the same damn tax on your cheeseburger too.

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Posted By:Matt at May 22, 2008 1:27 PM (Suggest Removal)
No Clark...that's what they want you to say! Divide and conquer. How about we say instead, NO MORE TAXES? Reduce state goverment by half, and require citizen approval on any/all tax increases. Until the Democrats in Augusta stop trying to buy votes by expanding their nanny-state we are all screwed.

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Posted By:Drew at May 22, 2008 3:10 PM (Suggest Removal)
The purpose of taxes is to raise revenue mot social engineering! If Maine removed all and I mean all taxes, fees, surcharges, property taxes and went to one consumption tax ala the Fairtax this argument we be moot. Politicians pass taxes such as this knowing that they'll have people who'll say "Good I don't drink, tax the heck out of it!" Apply this to tobacco etc... With a consuption tax those who consume more pay more.

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Posted By:John in Auburn at May 22, 2008 3:56 PM (Suggest Removal)
Here's an idea: Let's tax all obese people. Any man over 200 pounds and any woman over 150 have to pay one dollar per pound per year. Maine will be rich in no time. But seriously, how about taxing lottery tickets? They are not needed to survive and I am sick to death of standing in store lines while the people on welfare ahead of me buy all their friggin scratch tickets and lottery tickets.

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Posted By:Douglas at May 22, 2008 4:09 PM (Suggest Removal)
To answer Fran.. why, yes I am better than those who do not contribute to society.

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Posted By:Drew at May 22, 2008 7:24 PM (Suggest Removal)
Concerning taxing lottery tickets. Lottery tickets ARE a tax, a tax on mathematically illiterate people, in other words government school taught people.

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Posted By:Drew at May 22, 2008 7:28 PM (Suggest Removal)
Go easy on Fran, she has trouble keeping up if you know what I mean.

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Posted By:Drew at May 22, 2008 7:30 PM (Suggest Removal)
Darn I forgot to ask, Fran, have you bought your lottery tickets yet?

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Posted By:Angela at May 22, 2008 7:32 PM (Suggest Removal)
This is another individual believing that any type of activity they are not participating in should be taxed. Fails to mention the "surcharge on insurance settlements". Don't cast stones if you live in a glass house.

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Posted By:JulieL at May 22, 2008 10:53 PM (Suggest Removal)
I'd say Karen has an issue with alcohol! I have an issue with soda, but I think taxing both is a great idea. And Garrett I never thought I would type these letters; you are so right about the cost of health food. There is a very good reason why poor people are overweight. Are you going to buy salad fixings or McDonalds for your hungry family? Pasta or pizza delivery? Fast food is cheap and filling.....

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Posted By:Drew at May 22, 2008 11:32 PM (Suggest Removal)
"There is a very good reason why poor people are overweight." They eat too much? Most people who don't pay taxes usually are for more taxes, right JulieL?

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Posted By:dr. dosh at May 23, 2008 3:53 AM *'>(Suggest Removal)
U h , it's in the jeans ? { sic. } poor ppl tend to work at fast food retaurants , too . There is some sort of k00k - wack connection here , but i have not q u i t e figgered it out . Fat food is attracted to large persons ? Go figger , Mainerz . Aloha'ha (=>*

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