Taxes... Get Your Taxes Here!

President Obama yesterday (February 4, 2009) signed into law H.R. 2, a 4-1/2 year re authorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program (formerly State Children's Health Insurance Program). The bill is estimated to fund health insurance for the existing 7 million beneficiaries, and expand it to a net further 4 million at 300% of the poverty level with the most favorable federal matching funds. (I say "net" because it takes into account children who currently have private insurance, and a smaller number who have Medicaid, who will be induced to drop it and enter the more generous government program.) It had passed the House by a vote of 290-135 and the Senate by a vote of 66-32. Read the rest here.

The federal cigarette tax increased from 39 cents to $1.01 per pack on April 1, meaning $226 more in cost a year for the pack-a-day smoker. Read the rest here.

Ah yes... those evil smokers must pay... no one likes a smoker. Smokers like CEO's of large companies have been ostracized from society... well because they smell bad and they make everyone else breathe their nasty smoke. Well... this is still the United States of America and I thought we could each make choices on how we live our lives. This tax increase of course will hit you folks that make under $250,000. Congratulations.

Ah... here's a little reminder... of a promise made...



My question... what happens when there isn't enough revenue generated from those nasty smokers? I'd watch out if you are a Big Mac eater... you people are just as nasty... Don't you know that is bad for you?? But wait... it's all good... it's for the children.