Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame
I certainly would use alcohol consumption and smoking as well to fund an increased environmental effort. Who cares if smokers have to pay through the nose -- ridiculous stupid habit should be taxed to the hilt. Up it and up it and up it and give non smokers tax breaks. lower healthcare etc.
Do the same with drinkers --Hey if they want to drink like a fish then tax the heck out of them. They can pay for the constant stream of people they kill while sloshed in their vehicles or to pay for the wives treatment when they beat the snot out of them in their dufus drunken stupor. I would do the same with drugs --legalize and tax it to the maximum.
Just rake in the cash and put it to good use!!!!!!
|
I hope you're joking. Father knows best policy is horrible for society. Instead of teaching people to think, you're telling people what to do and creating a society of mindless children.
Smoking is a stupid habit. Most people know that. Its also not governed by a traditional supply and demand. Charge $20+ for a pack of smokes and one of two things happen (perhaps both):
1. The black market intervenes and sells contraband cigarettes at a reduced rate, now you're getting no tax money and having to spend an assload of money to fight this (or lower the prices again to a point where the black market dissipates)
2. People start going broke to maintain their habit and jump on the welfare wagon... or worse... sell their houses, cars, mortgage their children's future, etc. All undesirable alternatives for the government.
The solution for smoking is simple. Charge health premiums like insurance companies charge life insurance. Smokers pay double, Obese people pay double... they still have their smokes for $7.95 a pack... but now they have a new bill. Now the decision is theirs.
As for alcohol... same story. Does not follow typical economics. Alcohol is already way more expensive than the US or Europe and yet consumption is at least as high as the US and European average. Taxing to the hilt will solve nothing. The solution here is also simple. Heavy, heavy punishment and fines for anyone caught driving under the influence. Get the cops off the traffic cameras and into checkstops and as undercover bar patrons. Maybe run Calgary Transit past 12:50am. What the hell would any responsible city in their right mind turn off transit before the bars close?? Many people drive intoxicated because they can't get a cab/driver's alternative is booked solid and they "aren't going that far." $10 high-balls aren't going to solve that problem. Especially since sin taxes just go into general revenue. Alcohol is also harmless to 90+% of the population. Instead of punishing all 100%, why not just really hammer that 10% causing problems. Why should I have to spend $25 for what should be a cheap bottle of red wine because some drives drunk?