(no subject)

[threeplusfire]

I don't believe in sin taxes. It's discriminatory, and it's bullshit. Why on earth do we allow subjective moral stances on things that are perfectly legal, such as strip clubs and cigarettes? Why not tax the vegans for not supporting our nation's beef industry? I want a five dollar surcharge on every hippie who steps outside reeking of marijuana, patchouli and a week's worth of unwashed stench. How about a special tax on all cars that earn less than 18 miles per gallon, or trucks that are too big to fit in the parking spaces at the grocery store? Can we tax the stupid just for being stupid? How about a tax on all people who have annoying little dogs?

Or maybe we could empty Governor Good Hair's bank account and solve some of the budget woes. I shouldn't read about local politics so early in the day.

Comments

Twisted

[feckalyn.livejournal.com]

In Oregon they charge double the amount you would usually pay to register a gas/hybrid car (i.e. Toyota Prius) because you're not getting taxed as much on gas.

So you're being environmentally conscious and they charge you twice as much. But you don't have to pay the same doubled fee if your humongous SUV does (at least) twice as much damage to the roads whilst driving and hogs 10 times a much of a non-renewable resource.

I'm not sure I agree with that logic.

Re: Twisted

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

That is so cracked out! The city council here got a a couple of hybrid cars a couple years back, and I've seen more of them lately. I want one so much!

[puella.livejournal.com]

On one hand I agree with you- it is obviously very arbitrary what "sins" are going to be taxed.
BUT I think it can be a good thing in the kind of taking from the rich giving to the poor kind of way, except its more like taking from the unnecesary giving to the necesary. We NEED quality public education as a public service, but we do not need cheap strip clubs. It seems clear to me that putting more money into the first will better society as a whole.
But yeah, there are a hell of a lot of things I would like to put a sin tax on as well. My boyfriend and I always point out the HUGE-ASS cars that park int the "small car only" spots, leaving no room for the small cars to squeeze in. I might like to start there. :P

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

One of my problem is, should we rely on the strip clubs to pay those taxes and be honest about it? Should we depend on the people who patronize them? If we're going to put a tax on one kind of bar, why not all bars?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a big fan of strip clubs either. I think they would be an unreliable source of funding.

Tax the giant cars! Tax people who can't drive those giant cars! And then tax them while they talk on their phones and drive! ;)

[feckalyn.livejournal.com]

I'm on the fence to an extent myself.

It seems like so many sin taxes are directed at the poor and addicted, as another commenter pointed out. Should cigarettes be unreasonably expensive to help pay for the health care that smokers may later need in life? I don't know. What I do know is that if you're truly addicted to them you will pay whatever price you need to in order get them. Sometimes to the detriment of the other things in your life that you need. Which, might, in turn, negatively effect your health and make you more susceptible to the potential long term negative health sequelae of smoking.

And how often are the funds that are collected from the sin taxes on cigarettes actually used for health care for now disabled/dying smokers? I know a lot of states, who when faced with their recent budget downfalls, broke into their tobacco settlement monies faster than you could say, "Just say no!".

Ugh. I think I'll be joining Tsarina in bed, head firmly under covers, now.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

Yeah! It's bad enough that we are going to hell for our sins, but we have to be TAXED for them too?

Shiiiittt....

Also consider at least with some sin taxes, people are being taxed for a chemical addiction. Mmmmm.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

That is also somewhat strange and frightening.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

It gets better : people are being taxed for a chemical addiction that funds most of east coast politics, and has done so for longer than I've been alive. Meanwhile politicians are ' fighting ' to help people overcome the addiction, while taking the money from the profits via PACs and lobbying.

So people are paying taxes to help run the country on a device that creates a chemical addiction whose profits go to line the pockets of politicians that promote the device in itself in order to survive.

Strange ol world, innit?

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I think maybe I'll go back to bed and not come out for awhile. The world is just so wrong.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

Or you can do what I do : Make a world within the world where these thigns aren't allowed to happen :)

[silentjack.livejournal.com]

What, the tax on a pack of cigarettes in Texas -- over a dollar a pack, one of the highest in the nation -- just isn't enough?

I agree that "sin" shouldn't be taxed -- any more than it already is. Last I checked, the tax on a six-pack of beer is far less than the cost of a lottery ticket.¹.

I'll add to your list the following:
* Entertainment tax. That is, anyone who can afford to buy a two-thousand dollar plasma TV should be willing and able (presumably) to pay a three per cent surcharge beyond the sales tax.
* Since Texas doesn't have an income tax, how about implementing one for those making over $125,000 a year?
* Allow domestic horticulture of marijuana, make those growing it file as a registered grower and seller, and every quarter, have them report their earnings and submit twenty per cent of their profits. (Yeah, this one has some flaws)
* Brand-name tax. My guess is that the Trustafarians and otherwise nouveau-riche folks who buy from American Beagle or Suburban Cloutfitters on a monthly basis won't notice a five per cent surcharge over the sales tax.
* Tax PETA for bringing radical activism a bad name and just for being general wanks. NPO my ass.
* Tax Guilty White Liberals for being Guilty White Liberals.
* Tax right-wing zealots for being right-wing zealots.
* Cull the death penalty (bound to save Texas, a state enamoured with human barbecue, upwards of 500 million bucks in court costs a year).
* Hire some mafiosa folks to chase down really bad cover bands and say, "Gimme your lunch money or I breaks your legs."

And so on.

1: I have a conundrum-like problem with the lottery as it is. It does provide revenue, yes, but it is a somewhat regressive non-tax "tax" shouldered by the lower class and blue-collar class. For what some people buy in lottery tickets they could easily catch up on bills and put toward mortgages or liens. But I digress.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

BWahaha! You want to be my new Minister of Taxation when I take over the country? I like your ideas. :D

[silentjack.livejournal.com]

I'd be much obliged to be Minister of Sinister Funding. Or Cultural Attaché to Brazil.

I forgot a tax idea that would rake in millions:
The Judeo-Christian Guilt Jar. If someone self-identifies as a practicing American Catholic or a Reform Jew, they must keep a mason jar around at all times, and each time they have a thought of self-guilt, a pang of self-deprecation, or any sort of guilty thoughts along the lines the catholics and others are so good at instilling in their young, they place a nickel in the jar.

Basically, you'd get several thousand dollars a day. And just think about the slush fund that could be established!

[water-damage.livejournal.com]

I don't mind the idea of a cigarette tax that directly helped fund healthcare for those who have smoked and are now suffering for it. But the strippers/education tax is bizarre. Strayhorn must not know that The ShowPalace is already BYOB, and seems to have stayed running just fine.

Now, if there were, say, a strippers retirement fund or a job retraining fund, I think that would be an awesome thing to pay into, since basically they will hit a certain age and have very few job skills.

Basically, the taxes should go towards helping out with real societal problems associated with the given activity. Like taxes on gasoline should go towards clean air initiatives and alternative fuels research.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I like the way you think Miss Natalie. :D