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Cigarmakers in a panic

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Comments on this article
by Anthony 02/08/08 10:28 PM
This is criminal, nothing else. Why target cigar smokers? I can not believe what is happening to honest,hard working people in America. My dad told me 40 years ago we were losing our rights. He was right then and more right today. Heaven help us.
by Dereck 12/17/07 06:43 PM
I love how they say the tax is only on "large cigars", yet the only thing that is classified as small cigars are are those cigarillos, basically black and milds. I could see even a 100% increase, but 20,000 is just a bit over excessive, lol.
by Olympian 11/15/07 04:38 PM
First it is my online poker and now it is my cigars. When will this crap end!!!! It is getting to the point that I will have to ask the governments permission and pay them to use the bathroom in my own house!!! This is horrible!!
by Lugh 10/26/07 12:01 PM
This proposed tax is only the beginning; I'm leaving the country anyhow so it really doesn;t affect me, but...when will rising taxes stop?
by Diamond 10/18/07 01:24 AM
If these bums vote for this over the Presidents veto you will know the USA is lost. Do we have the guts to do somethng about it? These bums ignore all Emails.
by Jim 10/07/07 01:51 PM
Email your State Representitives in the House telling them to sustain the Presidential veto of the Children's Health Care bill. This bill will put many small companies out of business, and give free health care to people who earn over 80K per year.
by Jim 10/06/07 08:45 PM
That is what happens when Democrats have a majority in the House and Congress. This cigar tax is just the beginning of their tax increases. Best thing to do is to vote them out in 2008 or suffer the consequences.
by Hal 10/01/07 05:59 PM
Problem of overtaxing cannot be solved until Americans bother to VOTE! Poor voter turnouts results in these people on Capital Hill doing as they please to the cattle; much in the same way the airlines treat their customers.
by Roger 09/30/07 10:53 PM
Insurance companies won't pay anything towards smoking cessation programs, so why not use a portion of the revenues towards a program that drug addicts enjoy. Smoking is legal, drug use is illegal, where is the equity here?
by Roger 09/30/07 10:48 PM
No, I didn't participate in any class action lawsuits against the tobacco companies for monetary gains, but I wholeheartedly think that monies generated from this proposal should be earmarked for smoking cessation programs. Drug addicts have one!
by Roger 09/30/07 10:39 PM
I fully agree with Sandra, it is time for a class action lawsuit against the US Government for discrimination against a group of citizens, mnany who have been smoking or using tobacco products for 40 to 50 years and are highly addicted to tobacco.
by Mike 09/26/07 10:29 AM
Our system of lobby controlled government results in fewer candidate choices. The result is a congress of idiots who are too stupid to read the bills they vote on and/or who don't know the meaning of nuance. Why overtax cigars to tax cigarettes?
by J Dub 09/24/07 04:46 PM
The only answer is to kill all the nazi democrats
by Sandra 09/22/07 04:50 PM
The Republicans' War $10,000,000 per hour and the Democrats abuse to smokers. Maybe it is time we elect some reprsentatives with some back bone. Solve this with a 1 or 2 cents national and state sales tax so everyone is paying their fair share.
by Sandra 09/22/07 04:44 PM
A class action law suit both Federal and State of Iowa needs to be filed for discrimination against one group of people. Smokers marches need to be organized. Remember what Hitler did to the Jews!!! The smokers are becoming the Jews!!!
by William 09/21/07 08:59 AM
We need another Boston Tea party. On the goverments front lawn.
by steve 09/14/07 10:20 PM
I understand the reasons for taxes,inttelectually and inteligently speaking as a reasonable thinking individual, I know that even a $3.00 a cigar tax is not only illogical,and excessive it's also destructive to the tobacco industry, alt" solutions?
by anne 09/12/07 02:15 PM
let's face it, this country no longer belongs to the people, it belongs to the government. they do what they want and that's it. the people don't matter anymore. by saying this, i'm afraid the FBI will start watching me. a sad statement about USA.
by Adam 09/08/07 05:21 PM
I can see increasing taxes, that's just life in the US. But not some crazy amount that will just cause American industries to shut down. Its our downward sprial toward socialism!!!!!!! Maybe I can win the lottery and buy my own island to escape.
by tortoise 09/07/07 08:00 PM
Who elects these clowns?
by dave 09/05/07 01:21 PM
well i guess ill have to buy online from canada
by CONservative 09/04/07 08:33 PM
I've got a good friend who's given up smoking cigars. It wasn't easy for him to do so, but the loss of some of his gums to mouth cancer sorta helped him decide to quit. Of course, it's YOUR RIGHT to light 'em up if you so desire!
by Richard 09/03/07 05:37 PM
Why don't we stop wasting money in Iraq and provide for our children's health?
by Chris 09/03/07 03:39 PM
Utterly absurd. Such a high tax will effectively kill an entire industry and put thousands out of work. Not just the makers, but the small businesses that sell cigars as well.
by Mark 09/03/07 01:07 PM
Why does this author purposefully omit the names of the sponsors' of this bill?
by Dave 08/30/07 04:54 PM
Smells like an election ploy. Democrats know the republicans will vote against it. Then during the next election Dems can say ̣01Che voted against children's health insurancẹ01D. Typical political games.
by Jeff 08/30/07 11:21 AM
Look what happened to the luxury boat business several years ago when congress enacted a ridiculous luxury tax. It almost killed the industry and put thousands out of work. Less overall tax revenue. They just don't learn, do they? Idiots!
by don 08/27/07 02:05 PM
This stupidity will destroy the American Cigar industry and the incomes of thousands of workers. It WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY MONEY FOR THE CHILDREN. No tax revenue comes when nobody buys the product. Does anybody have a list of Black market sellers?
by Tim 08/26/07 04:55 PM
The tax increase is overdue, but it needs to be a gradual increase. Just stock up on your favorite smokes!
by Tom 08/22/07 05:28 PM
Every time someone doesn't like something they want to tax those who do. The proposed tax on cigars will cripple the free enterprise of the cigar makers and make only the very rich able to afford cigars. The next tax could be on cheese, beer or shoes
by gus 08/21/07 03:58 PM
absurd
by Reggie 08/20/07 03:45 PM
every state that recently raised cigarette taxes to ridiculous levels has experienced the same result. Massive smuggling and driving actual tax revenues down. Thank the greedy Dems.
by Reggie 08/20/07 03:42 PM
every time the taxes have been raised on a product geared towards enjoyment and the pleasures of life it has had two serious effects. crime takes over smuggling and gangs not government are the ones who benefit.
by Stefan 08/20/07 10:12 AM
I just love the way the D's tell us they care about us tax payers then stick it to us! Yes that right this bill was introuced by the democrats these nut cases are always kooking for ways to destroy the middle class!. Sorry just had to vent
by Rich 08/17/07 02:27 AM
Not only would this tax lead to losses in U.S. jobs mostly in Florida, the job losses in central america would lead to an increase in illegal immigration. Cigar smokers wouldn't be willing to be that rate either. They're not addicted like cigarettes.
by kerry 08/15/07 03:51 PM
Scew the democrats and the republicans! Its time we take this country back! Both partys have need to be reminded of who they work for.
by Pete 08/14/07 09:32 PM
Absurd.
by Big John 08/13/07 01:38 AM
Who are we kidding? These funds are to cover the soon-to-be trillion dollars spent on the Iraq "skirmish" (we never did declare war), not children's health insurance. Raise the capital gains tax; you'll pay for both.
by Julian 08/10/07 12:45 PM
To those who think 'poor millionaires, who cares' I'd point out that many cigar smokers are not wealthy. And if you don't like the smoke - get out. This tax is awful and cowardly. if the insurance has wide support, put it on the income tax.
by Randy 08/09/07 04:13 PM
I suspect this is a typical ploy, like the auto insurance industry. "We'll tell them we're raising the tax by $10 a cigar, so they'll feel thankful if we only raise it by $1". I smoke cigars and didn't vote Democrat.
by Joe 07/29/07 07:08 PM
If this law passes the federal government will not only loose the $255,000,000.00 in federal taxes (2006)but will increase the need for federal health insurance assistance for the 1000's left unemployeed in the cigar industry. This tax is LUDICROUS
by Jose 07/29/07 12:15 AM
20k percent is insane. There are much better thing to tax less that sell much more. This would about double the the price of cigars shutting down the cigar factories. this will only do harm to a lot of people who will turn around to the gov for help.
by marie 07/27/07 05:06 PM
this is going to destory the cigar factorys in Ybor City and put a lot of people out of work and without insurance, i wonder if they can get help from the goverment?
by larry 07/27/07 08:21 AM
RIDICULOUS! and that puts it very mildly, there has, as mr newman puts it, never been a tax on any product or industry that has had this type of punitive action. when the cigar shops and cigar business fold, where will government fund this program ?
by Bill 07/27/07 01:41 AM
All this will do is hurt or even destroy the cigar biz. The kids will get crap out of it. If they really want to raise money for kids insurance, tax the heck out of junk food. Now you're talking real money. This is just another liberal with an ego.
by Lou 07/26/07 10:06 PM
Maybe they should close the tax loopholes and tax breaks for millionaires first.
by Denny 07/26/07 05:02 PM
These boobs in Washington just don't get it. The Bush tax cut has cut our debt in half over the last two years because of increased revenue. The only thing this tax will do is put people out of business and force cigars to be sold underground =$0tax
by Sandy 07/25/07 08:54 PM
this cigar tax will help put the old ortega crowd in the drivers seat in nicaragua. Cigars are a big payrool income in Nicaragua Ortega is saying this is washington trying to hurt Nicaragua
by AJ 07/25/07 08:53 AM
Poor struggling millionaires! They don't mention the people who died breathing tobacco dust so they could increase their fortunes. No consideration for their workers- even if it meant death! Hard to feel sorry for these spoiled brats still going.
by Fran 07/25/07 12:14 AM
A few months ago the Texas Legislature imposed an increased tax on cigarettes to support(GASP)public education. Now the feds want to tax premium cigars to support (GASP, GASP) children's health care. I don't know which is the more ironic.
by DougJ 07/24/07 06:07 PM
Its not a bill, its a Senate Finance Committee spending appropriation, sponsored by 2 Dems AND 2 Reps. The committe has 11 D's and 9 R's, and the measure was passed 17 to 4, so Ds and Rs share the blame. Anybody know who the 4 NAY votes were?
by David 07/24/07 05:37 PM
Well if this goes through I will more than likely give up my pleasure. I will also vote against any PA senator or congressman who votes for this outlandish tax.
by Raymond 07/24/07 04:08 PM
What's next?? People do not understand that this is the tip of a mountain. Other govt. controls are on the agenda. Beware, Cokes, sweets, hamburgers, T.V. how much can you drive your car,. Why does congress not have social security, More Govt. co.
by Daniel 07/24/07 01:42 PM
Anyone know the bill number?
by clark 07/24/07 10:47 AM
Head for the borders and buy buy buy. I don't, no I can't believe anyone in congress would even believe that this tax would fly. Maybe I do believe it.
by Keith 07/24/07 09:38 AM
I think people are missing the real issue. If the house would just carve out an exclusion for the cigars this tax would pass without much resistance. We now have to rely on the House to make the logical decission.
by Roni 07/23/07 11:34 PM
Raising tax on cigars will create more unemployed with kids needing healthcare. How will this be profitable?????? then there willbe >
by Rich 07/23/07 06:56 PM
To most people cigar smoking is a past time. How about major league baseballs tax.
by Eric 07/23/07 06:33 PM
How about a 20,000% increase in taxation on idiotic politicians every time they come up with with these stupid ideas.
by Greg 07/23/07 05:21 PM
I agree with Mr. Doug...well not the whole overthrow the goverment thing. But the fast food thing for sure.
by Tom 07/23/07 05:00 PM
Oh yes, RC shame on me. I quit smoking cigaretts a few years ago when a pack went to $5.00. Thanks to additional taxes, an imposition on my will and an infringment of my rights I finally kicked the habit. Six months ago a CT Scan detected lung cancer
by Doug 07/23/07 04:17 PM
Ridiculous! How about we raise taxes on Big-Macs, rap music and violent games by 20,0000 precent too. It's time to overthrow this legislature.... hell, the whole bloody government.
by Jackie 07/23/07 04:09 PM
Wouldn't an increase from a nickel to $10 be a 399,999 percent increase?
by Ron 07/23/07 03:59 PM
This type of ill thoughtout tax will destroy the entire cigar industry, put thousands of people out of work in the, cost every State an enormous amount of tobacco tax revenue and bankrupt hundreds of small businesses.
by Frank 07/23/07 03:52 PM
Legalize pot and tax it heavily (that is, if congress hasn't smoked all if it).
by Raul 07/23/07 03:44 PM
They can shove anything down our throats that they want to. My doctor tells me that I need to quit, but I was planning to do it myself, not so some a$$holes do it for me!
by Jason 07/23/07 02:10 PM
Is this still America? I think its time for a Tea Party.
by Ron 07/23/07 12:52 PM
Congress is out of control.They are out of contact with the american people and they don't care what we want. They think the country belongs to them not us.We must do something to get our country back.Ron Mongole
by RC 07/23/07 11:43 AM
Oh Tom, sorry, but you have to be kidding. A smoking ban, sure, my rights end at the tip of your nose, but an overreaching tax on what I choose to put into my body infringes on my rights. Shame on you for thinking the gov't should impose your will.
by Jesse 07/22/07 10:23 PM
If congress didn't over tax us we would have the money for good health care! Let Congress take a pay cut if their so worried about it.
by Tom 07/22/07 06:41 PM
All of the so called "sin taxes" are actually helping to reduce premature death in our country. These taxes should be encouraged,increased to the maximum and applied to every product that has been documented to damage our health.
by Jack 07/22/07 02:49 PM
They(Congress) do not represent the people anymore. If it was 200 years ago there would be a revolution. We are taxed enough, they need to send less an live like the people they claim to represent.
by Phil 07/22/07 01:33 AM
I Agree with Michele, my view is people who smoke Cigars are for those who enjoy them for what they are, not because they are addicted to them. This liberal tax crzy congress needs to get a grip!!!
by Steve 07/22/07 12:46 AM
Once again the Democrats trying to take from the have's and give it to the have not's.
by Sandra 07/21/07 04:58 PM
Totally absurd. What more can one say?
by Tony 07/21/07 04:49 PM
There is no end to this sick Congress, some should be recalled and most should be voted out of office. This is only one of many legislative attrocities.
by Phil 07/21/07 04:14 PM
If the tax goes thou, I will not be able to enjoy a good cigar and will not buy any with the new taxes.
by Mark 07/21/07 12:02 PM
Look out Starbucks, espresso, lattes, and frappes will be next.
by Mark 07/21/07 11:53 AM
This will raise the cost of a box at least $200. The trip to Mexico will be cheaper for those of us close enough to the border. Government must be more responsible with what they already collect before asking for more. Excessive tax = Revolution 1776
by Jim from LA 07/21/07 10:59 AM
Down here in the Bayou State we are kind of numb from Katrina and Rita, but not numb enough to stand idle while another souce of pleasure is taxed out of reach. Isn't big oil where you should be looking? Who makes all the money from a free sorce.
by Richard 07/21/07 10:17 AM
Twenty thousand % tax! Liberalism on display. Let's all be sure to vote for democrats.
by Steve 07/21/07 07:54 AM
Once again the elected officials are thinking they are doing us favors, Lets fix the other issues we have in this country before trying figure out how to milk more money out of the constituents. We didn't elect you to dream up worthless tax schemes.
by GS 07/20/07 11:33 PM
I smoke cigars but will never buy another one if there is a 20,000 % tax increase on them. I'll travel to another country to have a good smoke. The trip would be cheaper
by MICHELE 07/20/07 09:00 PM
I had to pay insurance premiums to cover my kids and so should these so called poor. This is an unfair tax of one type of person to benefit all. Let the little illegal brats go home. Thats who we are paying for.
by Frank 07/20/07 06:51 PM
This is from Sen. Martinez "fund the $50 billion expansion" for "there are 690,000 children without coverage" do the math thats $72,463 per child. How many of you spend that much on health care? I say we employ the urchins as cigar rollers!!!!!
by Leland Redden 07/20/07 04:50 PM
If we can find the money for all of the so called U.S friends outside the U.S.WHY not Health Care for everyone. Maybe we can import cigars thru China that seems where everything else is turning to for tax breaks.
by Bob 07/20/07 04:43 PM
This purpored tax is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled in 1936( Butler v. United Stares) that you cannot tax one group for the benefit of another. If they want to improve health care it has to be for all of us.
by tony 07/20/07 04:12 PM
why doesn't the government get control of rising healthcare costs first and the regulate the pharmaceutical companies that are ripping us off.....before they try to form yet another fabulous "healthcare" program??
by Tony 07/20/07 04:07 PM
Hey government.....why don't you just legalize marijuana......and tax the crap out of that? then you can fund all kinds of new organizations!!
by JERRY 07/20/07 03:58 PM
WHAT ARE YOU GUYS F IN CRAZY WANT TO FOUCUS ON THE FREAKIN WAR AND LEAVE CIGARS ALONE HOW MUCH OF THIS CIGAR TAX IN THE POLITIANS POCKETS ???????
by Daniel 07/20/07 03:54 PM
I think this is a ridiculous tax. Should we all move to Cuba to smoke cigars?
by Corona-Corona 07/20/07 03:41 PM
I'd quit smoking cigars if it really led to health care for children. Why not a $10/pk tax on cigs? That would generate enough $ for universal health care. RJ Reynolds a little too powerful? How Rpblcn to blame ill-imms for our scrdup health system
by Paul 07/20/07 03:29 PM
I'd like to know how many of those fat cats smoke cigars...and how many that do actually smoke illegal cubans avoiding any tax at all!!
by Ralph 07/20/07 02:19 PM
If the "pork" was cut out of all the bills that are passed our great country would have money to spend on our problems.
by Paul 07/20/07 01:04 PM
They say its about the childern, once they have the money it will be spent on something different. True that it will be like the thing they did on the yachts, the luxury tax. I like most people just stop. More people on unemployment. Their goal?
by DE 07/20/07 10:59 AM
If they want to tax a product that is harmful to the health of adults and children alike...Burger King, McDonalds etc.
by bill 07/20/07 10:19 AM
If the govn. want to get some tax money the easy way get the heck out of Iraq that would be a huge savings more than any cigar tax would generate.
by Steve 07/20/07 07:29 AM
Good pt.jim.It's all about tax w/o rep. & making a pt.about health care where there isn't any. Expect it to get worse. Yet voters continue to put these people in office.
by by Nancy 07/20/07 12:11 AM
We been screaming for children healthcare for years and no one listened. Why is it that after all the illegals had their children for free do they now expect free healthcare. Tax mexico for all the people that leave their country.
by Bruce 07/19/07 10:25 PM
Where will it stop. The Democrats should be all sent to Iraq and then we can all get a tax cut.
by JUAN 07/19/07 09:23 PM
Very unfair for the people of this state. while paying taxes, we are not allow to enjoy one of the oldest pleasures in life with out having to spend a fortune. Like if with need another high tax in miami.
by GS 07/19/07 07:35 PM
Fortunately Bush has vowed to veto this massive tax hike. Our Cigars and wallets are safe.
by TC 07/19/07 06:28 PM
So Newman have been complaining about the tax. Is this the same Newman who produces Diamond Crown & Maximus cigars $10-$20 per cigar! Must be nice to charge that for something that is made for $2 in the Dominican Rep.
by Frank 07/19/07 06:21 PM
This should come as no surprise. Cigar makers have taken advantage of smokers for years, making big profits charging high prices for 'limited edition' cigars that are not worth half the price.
by John 07/19/07 06:15 PM
Cigar manufacturers have increased prices for the last few years and charging high prices for average cigars. They have made huge profits because of renewed interest in cigar smoking. They will just have to reduce their profit or lose customers.
by Tommy 07/19/07 05:27 PM
Until recently (via political correctness pressures)life insurance co's treated cigar smokers as non-smokers. The result of solid actuarial statistics. Pure tobaccos (good cigars) don't threat the public. Additives in other tobacco products do.
by Jeff 07/19/07 05:01 PM
Liberals Suck!
by jim 07/19/07 03:45 PM
i hate to break it to all of you non-smokers who are pleased with this tax but this type of taxation wont end at tobacco. the government decides what is bad for you so they heavily tax it. whats next ? beer,wine,fast food,ice cream ???????
by Kay 07/19/07 03:19 PM
Hav-a-tampa is foreign owned?!? That's funny. They should bring the cigar tax level up to the level of ciggies for a start. This jump is too much! And, BS-"enjoyed not by addicts but by worthy pleasure seekers". Additionally, they stink!
by Squid 07/19/07 03:18 PM
Can't these people understand the more you raise taxes = the less people smoke. Then, the less people smoke = less income generated for the needed item. Less taxes ='ss more smoking = more $$$ generated.
by Raymond 07/19/07 02:18 PM
Smoking has become a convenient target for politicians. It is not healthy, if you think it is you shouldn't smoke. I smoke about 2 to 3 cigars a week to relax. O Jim, never around those who don't like it. Don't mix rudeness with law. Good article.
by B 07/19/07 12:38 PM
This is just crazy, who the hell is going to pay 12-14 dollars for a Curly Head? They need to stop this ASAP. "If somiking is not allowed in Heaven then I shall not go" Mark Twain.
by Chris 07/19/07 12:19 PM
What is the bill number? I've seen this warning all over the place, but nobody is identifying the proposed bill. Can we get a reference?
by Louann 07/19/07 12:16 PM
Now folks will be encouraging us to smoke so we can pay for other peoples health care. This is America right? Smoking is steal legal on most markets, yet it is labeled "sin"? Since when does government dictate morals? Oh yeah, when it makes money.
by David Z 07/19/07 12:10 PM
They tried implementing a 10% luxury tax on yachts back in the early 1990s. Guess what? Everyone stopped buying yachts, and the domestic industry perished.
by Jim 07/19/07 12:03 PM
Right. Those of us who have had to suppress nausea and breathing as well as pay for the adverse health effects welcome this tax.
by B.T. 07/19/07 10:36 AM
WTH $10! Every dy there R fewer smokers, in part b/c of these taxes, & when militant anti-smokers R told their income & other taxes R going 2 jump big X like this then they'll whine & cry & I'll LAUGH my butt off @ them & tell them "I told ya so!" ;)
by Tom 07/19/07 10:34 AM
If you don't like the tax then quit smoking. Otherwise pay up. It's not Fascism. Fascism is spying on the public and manipulating the media into supporting "pre-emptive" wars.
by Rico 07/19/07 10:18 AM
The tax from cigars will, "help buy coverage for kids not poor enough for Medicaid." Just change the qualification factors for the program and stop funding "bridge to nowhere" type projects.
by Creekend UK 07/19/07 09:16 AM
at that rate it will be cheaper for me to import Cubans to the UK to smoke. Your legislators are making a dumb mistake that will cost more jobs than they can see at the moment. Good Luck fellas
by Bob 07/19/07 08:55 AM
I want to know who introduced this bill. Can't find that in any article.
by Dino 07/19/07 08:28 AM
I'm writing my representatives. There is no flippin way this is American. Then the problem is even if we win this round. These people are fascist they WILL try again.
by Randy 07/19/07 08:22 AM
Your telling me that the 2006 $7.6 billion dollars couldnt put a dent in childrens health care. We all know what happens to funds earmarked for one use. It gets sucked up by welfare and other porkbarrells. This must be fought. Write your congressman.
by jack 07/19/07 07:38 AM
I can only wonder who came up with this crap, probably the drunk senator kennedy. It is time for all of America to take the country back from our senate and congress. I know best how to lead my life and I will let it be know at the voting box.
by flipstick 07/18/07 11:58 PM
I'm not a cigar smoker. I'm not a smoker at all. However, many do enjoy this form of pleasure and they should NOT be excessively punished for exercising their right to smoke. A 20,000% increase is as foolish as the representative's proposal. Help!
by Brendan 07/18/07 10:07 PM
Last time I checked taxing something in order to discourage its use was called fascism......
by Clayton 07/18/07 09:55 PM
Stop giving free medical to all the illegal's newborn, make them pay as we have to.
by Partho 07/18/07 09:14 PM
I love kids and I love cigars, but there has to be a better, more relevant way to fund this initiative. Tax something else, but leave our cigars alone!
by Dan 07/18/07 07:25 PM
Who's the idiot that proposed that increase?! The craziest, most outlandish thing I've ever heard. Obviously he makes enough money to afford to pay $25.00 for a cigar. Ill go as far to bet that he smokes them at his golf course bar. At a country club
by Bruce 07/18/07 07:20 PM
Which Rep or Senator came up with this crap.There must be a name.It cant be a party.There must be a person behind this insanity.
by Hugh 07/18/07 06:41 PM
Why stop at $10.00. Using government logic, just divide the expected deficit plus the national debt by the number of cigars sold annually to set the "proper" tax level. Isn't that the ultimate conclusion of this type of thinking?
by Terry 07/18/07 06:38 PM
Lest you think this is the height of stupidity, there are cities in California that want to tax rain water that falls on your house based on the sq. ft. of your home. There's no end to it!
by Helen 07/18/07 06:09 PM
Look at all you sad little moaner. You can't even afford luxury cigars! Who gives a hoot to dirty smelly nicotine addicts? Get over yourselves and stop making public places disgusting for the rest of the populace!
by Steve 07/18/07 05:56 PM
Get the head honcho of cigar fame on the stick: Bill Clinton
by jose 07/18/07 05:52 PM
I feel this tax is not worthy.Isn't obvious they are picking on the" Rich White Guy Again". This must stop at once.
by JAKE developer slum lord realt 07/18/07 05:49 PM
WITH THE "BUSH TAX CUT" I CAN AFFORD $20 DOLLAR CIGARS, ONLY THE LITTLE PEOPLE SHOULD PAY TAXES.
by Lew Prince 07/18/07 05:43 PM
This will not have any impact on Bill Clinton & Monica Lewinsky's Cigar, Bill is stinkin' rich. Rich democrats think average citizens are disposable trash. No prob taxing things we can just barely afford. BTW, how much carbon fuel is Al Gore wasting
by Barbara 07/18/07 05:40 PM
I do not smoke cigars, but what Washington is planning is absolutely terrible. Whats next? Congress needs their heads examined. I for one abhore this thought.
by Jeff 07/18/07 05:36 PM
All you morons that want to BAN everything - your just creating another black market where criminals & gang bangers make the money & pay no taxes...
by Dan 07/18/07 05:27 PM
I say tax children. Call it an impact fee. You want kids, you pony up cash upfront to pay for services dedicated to kids. Anyone who gets pregnant and can't pay goes to jail. It makes as much sense as a $10 tax on a $6 stick.
by Jeff 07/18/07 05:17 PM
This needs to be stopped! The state needs to stop taking so much of our hard earned money. Viva la revolucion! Vote Ron Paul to stop this madness!
by Dan Clarke 07/18/07 05:12 PM
Cigar Tax??? How about an Oregon fruit and berry tax? or let's send our cigar butts to Washington, with a note "Tax this you Bonehead."
by Peggy V. 07/18/07 05:05 PM
This is the definition of insanity...to place an excise ("sin") tax on a product the government wants to discourage use. Wiht a government addicted to sin taxes, Congress had better not hope there are too many conversions.
by Cigarmonkey 07/18/07 04:41 PM
There is massive movement to get cigar lovers to email their Senators and stop this madness. Checkout these sites: http://www.cigarbeat.net/blog/ http://cigarmonkey.com/ Call and write your senator today before it is too late.
by Kendall 07/18/07 03:45 PM
I don't know what I like less, the idiot cigar tax or the idiot goverment getting further involved into health care
by Mike 07/18/07 03:36 PM
Hah, you'd think the world was ending!! Get over it.
by Bones 07/18/07 03:29 PM
Our state government just raised our cigarette tax from 15 cents to 42 cents a pack! I showed them though! I quit smoking! The joke is on them now! What would they tax next if we all quit smoking.
by John 07/18/07 03:21 PM
To the Dems:@@@###&&##@@
by tom 07/18/07 03:20 PM
Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-Oregon) proposed the Tobacco Tax amendment. How much tax would be generated with a 20,413% increase in the cigar tax? Not much because it would be the end of the cigar industry in the US.
by Bland 07/18/07 03:18 PM
I can see the future headlines........"Smugglers from Bay Area caught bringing in ship load of Romeo & Julliette cigars from Cuba." Something tells me a lot of folks will raise the devil about this tax, and should. 20,000% is excessive...
by conservative 07/18/07 03:17 PM
Listen to you Liberals. Who do you think pays 95% of the taxes.(the Wealthy)Most of these people wanting to raise taxes do not pay them. 40%of my income pays for you liberals to be able to sit here andcomment.God forbid a Dumbacrat is elec. President
by Mark 07/18/07 03:16 PM
If the government really wants to tax the culprit behind children's health problems then they should be taxing soda pop, fast food and unhealthy fat and sugar snacks.
by Jimbo 07/18/07 03:08 PM
Ban the stinky things.
by Stitches 07/18/07 02:40 PM
"A Government that provides you with all that you need is a Government that will take all that you have" Thomas Jefferson Yet again, they try to take all that we have to pay for our 51st state - Mexico.
by Mark 07/18/07 02:32 PM
These people are idiots. They have targeted the tobacco industry for years now. Wasn't a settlement reached which supposedly was to go back and pay for healthcare? What happened to that money? Now they want more? This is just stupid.
by Brent 07/18/07 02:16 PM
They already raised pack prices $1 in Texas to fund schools and now this? It's time that the government gets its hands out of my pockets. It's bad enough that Uncle Sam's right hand was on my wallet, but now his left hand is on my pack of Camels!
by Velda 07/18/07 02:00 PM
If the government wants to fund CHIP by taxing unhealthy habit-forming luxuries, they'd raise more money with a 50 cent tax on Happy Meals. Some families might not be able to afford fast food at that point, but think of the reduced juvenile obesity!
by Jeff 07/18/07 01:55 PM
Quit complaining about these taxes. If the people we pay to support wanted to work they would work, but since they don't want to work - just shut up & keep paying your taxes!
by Craig 07/18/07 01:52 PM
This is HorseSh@t, I mean where will it end. They always use tobacco and alcohol to fund there social agendas.
by Jason 07/18/07 01:41 PM
A 20,000% tax increase will not raise a dime. It will serve only to destroy the cigar industry that is supposed to be furnishing the funds.
by Rob 07/18/07 01:03 PM
From my experience most governemnt agencys that are operated at the local level from the state or county work pretty good. It is when you give Washington power that it gets screwed up. Each state should fund a have their own Health system, not DC.
by Lou 07/18/07 12:59 PM
Money for healthcare for sedentary young blobs is a joke. A cut to food programs and computers would be much more appropriate for a young population now being plagued with obesity and type II diabetes! The Politboro will be proud, Dah?
by Rudy 07/18/07 12:58 PM
Another example of incompetence of our elected officials. They do not care for anything other than their political ambition and personal agenda. A $10 cigar tax is not only stupid, but irresponsible. Let your legislators know how you feel about this.
by Catfish 07/18/07 12:57 PM
Tax the corn pone and hardtack but don't put more taxes on the tobacco. Please? Keeps me thinking...
by Denny 07/18/07 12:37 PM
Tobacco causes $137 billion damage to our economy. Divide this by 20 billion packs sold and the tax on a pack of cigarettes should be $6.85 - so that the rest of us shouldn't subsidize smokers. A tax of $10 for a cigar is far too little.
by ron 07/18/07 12:35 PM
I don't think it will enhance revenue. All the people who quit buying will offset the new tax on the fewer cigars sold.
by Chris 07/18/07 12:33 PM
Once again that noise you hear is our civil liberties and personal choice being eroded under the guise of a benefit for the less fortunate. Just like the Lotto has made our children's schools Ivy League caliber. Personal Accountability is dead.
by George 07/18/07 12:20 PM
Just another example of overtaxation. Washington is pushing all of us to brink of what we did 221 year ago. Why don't we become a socialist state, and get it over with.
by Mike 07/18/07 11:59 AM
Incrediblye stupid since there is an assumption taxpayers will continue to use cigars at the existing levels. If the price is too high, taxpayers will stop or reduce use, or seek untaxed purchases in what will become an illegal trade. No tax $s there
by Robin 07/18/07 11:37 AM
I'm a new Cigar smoker and at those kind of prices that would drive a man to drink...
by Gil 07/18/07 11:33 AM
If we discontinue all foreign aid and grants we'll save more than $35 billion per year.
by Jerry 07/18/07 11:32 AM
The tip of the iceberg, as soon as anyone mentions it's for the children, most people lose all rational thought. You won't find a lot of people who smoke cigars like cigarettes. I have found the enemy and it is us.
by Zeno 07/18/07 11:32 AM
Again this is pure politics. The Dems are trying to play the Rich folk against the Poor folk game. The amount of funds that will be gained if this is passed is only a drop in a swimming pool of money that he increase in the cig tax will create.
by MA 07/18/07 11:11 AM
Why is it that smokers(I am not one) have to pay for chilrens health care? Why not just parents? Or better yet why not everyboby? If its important to perpetuate the human race then we all should have to fund this equally. Not on the backs of smokers.
by walter 07/18/07 10:55 AM
birmingham,al
by rod 07/18/07 10:54 AM
Senators should take some of their undeserved pay increase for partial funding.
by John 07/18/07 10:42 AM
This is what happens when Dem's are elec The tabacco money settlement was never spent for healthcare. Most states squandered the money on other projects. And now were back to the children,which is another gemmic.
by Richard 07/18/07 10:36 AM
The man who runs America, Mr. Rush Limbaugh, is targeted again!! He is the world's most famous cigar smoker, and this type of tax increase appears to be another feeble attempt to irritate him.
by George 07/18/07 10:36 AM
Yeah, dang liburls. Tax and spend. Tax and spend. All they know. Need to do it like us publicans. Borrow and spend, borrow and spend.
by JAY 07/18/07 10:28 AM
The only thing that will save this country is for everyone to stop sending in their tax forms. We will have to bankrupt Washinton before they will listen. If we don't, our children are doomed.
by Jimmy B 07/18/07 10:20 AM
Once again it's for "the children" - in IA they just passed a $1 increase on tobacco and yup... it was for the children. Maybe our extra 50 million can be passed over to MO since our children are now covered...? Freakin Marxists!
by Mike 07/18/07 10:16 AM
Do we really have a system whereby we elect one person and their "evil twin" goes to DC to come up with truly stupid ideas? If you tax cigars that heavily, the industry will collapse. Finish a few wars, though, and they'd have BILLIONS to play with!
by RT 07/18/07 10:16 AM
Capitalism and competition are what create jobs and opportunity for those willing to work hard. Socialists feed off the labors of others. Millions of poor people, many being immigrants, achieve success in the US. Socialists just whine and tax.
by Stephen 07/18/07 10:13 AM
It amazes me how those in Washington spend our money like it's nobody's business. The Founding Fathers revolted for less. I am sure socialized medicine will work great - look at Social Security!
by PindaLul 07/18/07 10:13 AM
I can believe anyone could support a tax jump like this - from 5 cents to $10. even if you dont smoke cigars you have to agree it is excessive. If this did happen it would create a black market for cigars-then who would make money not the goverment
by SJ 07/18/07 10:08 AM
http://www.fairtax.org
by socialist slave 07/18/07 10:04 AM
How about a tax on kids to support the healthcare for other kids. If parents can't afford the needs of their children, they shouldn't expect others to pay for their irresponsible and unplanned lifestyle and actions.
by yjrjackothewisp@sbcglobal.net 07/18/07 09:48 AM
Cigars? I wonder if the Senators and Congressmen will be charged the same as Americans for their "stogies," after they tax us on yet another product. Hypocrites! These "rulers of Democracy" don't even have the same health care Americans have.
by Fidel 07/18/07 09:43 AM
Wait, I habve the solution. Since when do children smoke cigars? Cigarettes are addictive and a destroyer of health. Cigars contain carefully refined and fermented tobacco. Cigaretees are mass produced nicotine delivery devices. Outlaw cigarettes,.
by lou 07/18/07 09:37 AM
this is pure politics, they are after Ruh Limbaugh for smoking a cigar during his show.
by Martin 07/18/07 09:35 AM
Who are the sponsors of this bill? They should be named so the electorate can make them pay. .Remember the cigarette settlement with all the states.I thought that would be enough to cover all the underprivileged children?
by reggthor 07/18/07 09:33 AM
this type of taxation is criminal.
by David 07/18/07 09:33 AM
Ah, yes ... and the march towards Socialism continues! I want more government and I want it NOW! Idiots ...
by dennis cummings 07/18/07 09:29 AM
with these tax-a-crats we might as well cash our paychecks,drive down the blockand toss the money out the window.Naturally it will be in an illegal safe zone...that way all these new democrats can live here.
by Dick 07/18/07 09:23 AM
If they can do this they can enact a Gramshop law.Imagine thei little chickie at the drive-in window: "I can't serve you, maam; you're too fat"
by Rich 07/18/07 09:23 AM
American health Care sucks and will always favor the bureaucratic hard core unemployable. Asia and mainly India has very reasonable health care performed by superior doctors. American doctors push pills, rattle bones and check chicken entrails.
by Evan 07/18/07 09:20 AM
Well when the person who smokes the 2 dollar cigars has to pay instead $12.oo each,he will be forced to quit,and then how much tax will these leeches collect ? better to get 5 cents then none at all you idiots in Wa.DC.
by 2007 07/18/07 09:17 AM
I quit smoking for the sole purpose of NOT paying any more taxes on cigs. Another "for the children" charade. I've raised three kids and I'm now "Pro-Choice".
by Brett 07/18/07 09:17 AM
Imagine a socialist democrat President with a democratic congress...You want taxes, you want nanny government? You got it.
by Brad 07/18/07 09:17 AM
Should've seen it coming. Next they will go after homebrewers and wine makers. We've got to get out and vote. "Throw the bums out!"
by Ron 07/18/07 09:14 AM
Another example of government out of control. Time for a clean sweep of both houses and restoration of personal rights and individual responsibility. Government must be reigned in and forced to abide by this nations Constitution and rule of law.
by mark 07/18/07 09:11 AM
untill we decide we are ready to proceed to swearing curseing,kicking and punching........literaly......... these m. fr's in our govt. will continue to rape us untill the next gen. just accepts it. fight or watch our freedoms disappear....that is all
by Wes 07/18/07 09:06 AM
Poor logic=unfair taxes. They expect this tax to pay for "healthcare", yet what percentage of casual cigar smokers can afford to continue with such a dramatic tax increase? Hence, even if this passes, which it won't, they won't bring in $50 billion.
by Bill 07/18/07 09:05 AM
This is insane! I'm all for helping the less fortunate, but let's be reasonable, which 20,000% is not...
by JIM 07/18/07 08:55 AM
Raising the cigar tax is just another approach by the democrats to create a police state and govern every action of Americans.
by Marti 07/18/07 08:55 AM
It's very simple. If the socialist Dem's pass this piece of garbage, they should be voted out of office. Every time I hear a Dem speak about their social programs, I feel their hand in my pocket. They haven't accomplished anything since elected.
by Albert Gore III 07/18/07 08:52 AM
Vote democrat; It's eaiser than working
by JB 07/18/07 08:29 AM
This is nothing. Mark my words, wait for the "Fat Tax". The higher the fat content in food, the higher the tax. We need a new Boston Tea Party!
by Anexio 07/18/07 08:15 AM
I couldn't agree more with this tax! How else are we going to fund free healthcare for Mexico's children that are only here to seek freedom? Clearly taxing cigars is the only answer. I have an idea, if you're poor, stop pumping out babies.
by OZZY 07/18/07 08:14 AM
As always, another example of how our government doesn't work - it's just broke. Here's a thought .....why don't these idiots pass a bill to tax stupidity in Washington, then there will be plenty of $$ to improperly fund any program they want.
by Phil 07/18/07 08:12 AM
If you want money for health care for children, stop spending our tax dollars on illegal immigrants for scholls and health care. I'm sick and tired of my hard earned tax dollars going to illegal immigrants and to other countries.
by Dan 07/18/07 07:34 AM
There the liberals go again using the children to tap into our pockets! Beware on the next elections if they take complete control we are literaly screwed.
by steve 07/18/07 07:27 AM
If you want to enjoy the socialist privilige, then you pay the tax. Since socialists aren't concerned with small business, they pay because of the pervasive myth that only the rich smoke cigars anyway, and "they" can afford it. Diesel got taxed too!
by Wayne 07/18/07 07:03 AM
Seems like a no brainer to me. The health care of a child versus the cost of a cigar. If the president hadnt given all the tax breaks to the big corporations and richest people in this country there might be another source for this money.
by Harry 07/18/07 06:59 AM
I am not a chronic cigar somker, rather casual. This is a tax imposed by Liberals to pay for the healthcare of the families of illegal aliens that have a chokehold on this country. It stinks!!
by Hillary 07/18/07 06:51 AM
Ah yes, I can just picture the tobbaco fields of CT now-no more illegal immigrants once the condos are built, excwpt maybe a few to mow the lawn. Isn't socialism grand? Now, if only we can figure out how to tax air...Love, Hillary
by Bill 07/18/07 06:46 AM
Universal Healthcare sounds good on its face but the government will screw it up just like they do in Canada. No new taxes for Universal healthcare! Especially on Cigars. I smoke a few here and there, but won't necessarily be able to with this tax
by bill 07/18/07 06:40 AM
Makes sense to me. The idiots that run the government do everything bass ackwards...this is no different. It is WRONG but this is what we have come to expect from these idiots! This nation has been ruined by thieves in BOTH parties. God, I hate them!
by raine 07/18/07 06:30 AM
I applaud finding a way to insure the health of america's children. a far easier and more economical way to do this would be to quit funding the illegal war in iraq.
by joseph 07/18/07 06:28 AM
Jose,You were kidding right ?not a tax ?Its for the children !Whose children illegal aliens ?Anyone that agrees that raising a tax by 20000 is ok is just an idiot !
by Arthur 07/18/07 06:01 AM
Social welfare is expendive and somebody has to pay! Further, this idea will give more money to men and women to speed up breeding without responsiblility.
by 420 07/18/07 05:38 AM
tobacco should be outlawed as long as pot is!
by Larry 07/18/07 05:35 AM
NOW THE LIBS ARE making their move! Thier true colors are showing. What is next? MINNESOTA already has taxed the cigars so much, 75% of the price of a cigar is ALREADY TAX here in Minnesota. SCARY... what will life be like in 10 years, with the Dems?
by Dave 07/18/07 03:17 AM
It's time for a slave rebellion. (Taxpayers = slaves)
by Malcolm 07/18/07 03:09 AM
I don't smoke cigars. I don't rob people. Congress may not smoke cigars. Congress ROBS people. You overtax, you receive less money. Period. Doesn't Congress get it? Not the Demo's. Stupid & Ignorant! What next? Who next? Vote Demo's out!!!
by Phillip 07/18/07 02:49 AM
Jose: Get a dictionary, a levy is a tax: 1. an imposing or collecting, as of a tax, by authority or force. Note the word "imposing"(Dictionary.com)I wonder what other products you are willing to pay a %53 tax on. The middle class enjoys cigars also.
by Stephen 07/18/07 02:39 AM
What a piece of crap...whats next taxing vine 20,000 %. The Democrats are too busy watching "SICKO"..they suck!
by david 07/18/07 02:10 AM
What's next? Maybe the Dems in Congress will vote to just exterminate smokers altogether. These tobacco taxes are total crap. Who in their right mind votes for these clowns in Washington?
by Michael 07/18/07 02:01 AM
Washington politicians stockpiled their Cuban cigars. Now they will have to stock up on all cigars.
by ed 07/18/07 01:57 AM
mississippi got 1.2 billion in gigarette money for health care but nobody knows where the money is.
by Paul 07/18/07 01:42 AM
With a tax of 53% and a $10 cap - an $18.86 cigar will cost $28.86. From a 5 cent tax to a $10 tax - on the most expensive cigar seems reasonable to me. It just might stop some gums and throat cancers.
by Cheryl 07/18/07 01:41 AM
As a Nurse, I see far more health problems with overweight people than smokers, if you look at the big picture...So, will fast food junkies be the next to be demonized and targeted for confiscatory taxes?
by Cali 07/18/07 01:04 AM
Get Goverment/Congress out of our life. I wonder if this sicko tax goes into law, REALLY how much of the so called tax will go "for the children"? I am sick of the goverment telling me what to do! Jose, 07/17/07 08:01 AM you are a NUT case!
by Andy 07/18/07 12:41 AM
Will the government please stop taking more and more money. Let us, the American people, live our lives without your intervention. I am so sick and tired of them sticking their noses into everything. Government should be for defense and crises only!
by FRANK 07/18/07 12:37 AM
WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE POLITICIANS WHO DO THIS SORT OF THING. IT'S JUST LIKE GASOLINE THE GOVT. GETS $0.25 TO $0.50 PER GALLON SOLD AND DON'T HAVE TO DO A THING. THE OIL COMPANIES MAKE $0.09 PER GALLON AND HAVE TO PRODUCE AND DELIVER IT.
by Katie 07/18/07 12:29 AM
Outrageous.
by June 07/18/07 12:28 AM
If every one who needed medical care gave $1 towards the care - including parents of the children in queston -how much would taxes be raised? Why not have everyone contribute something to their care?
by bob 07/18/07 12:28 AM
psss psss over here only 3 bucks how many would you like
by bobby 07/18/07 12:24 AM
how bout taxing something libs like! We can tax incense sticks and bongs!
by David 07/18/07 12:07 AM
The power to tax is the power to destroy. We all would do well to heed what is going on here. Smoker and non smoker alike.
by J.R. 07/18/07 12:02 AM
Elections are important! Whenever these Marxists get control, the people always lose! We need to decisively remove them from power at the first opportunity, and never let them have power again! By the way Jose, its not a worthy cause, its a fraud!
by Bobby 07/17/07 11:56 PM
If a Democrat is elected as President, just wait for the $10.00 a gallon gas tax.
by Jeff 07/17/07 11:51 PM
Not a big deal. I'll just buy them from an indian reservation or go over the border.
by Bob 07/17/07 11:49 PM
Democrats have never met a tax they didn't like. I'm a Libertarian type but vote Republican because they are our best choice. You fools who voted in a Democratic congress are gonna pay and pay and pay for your mistake (unfortunately so will I.)
by John 07/17/07 11:48 PM
This has to be a joke, right? What has happened to this country? Something has got to give, I know people have said that in decades past, but never in the history of this country has the government -- and taxation -- been so blatantly out of control.
by Jim 07/17/07 11:45 PM
This proposed tax on Cigars is ludicrous. What do they really want to do? Kill off the entire Cigar sales and industry in this country? Who in their right mind would pay $10 tax on a $5 cigar. Not me. Bye bye to one of my last remaining pleasures.
by Jackie 07/17/07 11:41 PM
Well, Clinton can afford it, right?
by Brenda Garren 07/17/07 11:39 PM
Putting people out of business should not be done by our congress! Our taxes on property are so high that people who have owned their homes for years can not even afford to pay the taxes levied on them. Things must change in this great nation of ours
by Lee 07/17/07 11:36 PM
All the people who were duped by the Democrats when they claimed to be more moderate than Republicans, you know are reaping what you are sewing. We need a balance in society and this is NOT balance. Forcing charity is NOT a worthy cause.
by John 07/17/07 11:35 PM
Isn't it always for the sake of the children??
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