Should the people oppose the drink tax?
Submitted by Susan Young on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 20:23.
A petition has been filed to repeal the upcoming tax increase on beer, wine and soda. Would you sign it? If it were successful, the people’s veto would end funding for the state’s Dirigo Health insurance program. How should that program be paid for? Or should those covered by Dirigo simply go without insurance?
Drink Tax
All of the liquor drinking, cigar smoking elitists will get no sympathy from me. those who drink are often in a better possition to pay a little extra then are many cig smokers. Mr Soloman's op-ed was pathetic and in no way justified vetoing this bill. He's just another person who can attribute their lifestyle to HIS PARENTS hard work and yet thinks he should be above the fray.
drink tax
What's the big deal? Beer, wine and soda are optional, and maybe not the best thing for one's health (although I enjoy my share of beer and wine). It's not like the state slapped a big tax on milk. Health coverage is vitally important for Maine families who lack insurance. Let's not be carried away by selfishness.
Drink Tax
I would sign the repeal of the newest taxes thought
up by the out of touch Legislature. The Dirigo plan
would be great in a utopian world. Reality is we are a state that puts too much into "wish" programs
and nothing into essentials. Dump the program and fund the state like most taxpayers do their households, as we can afford it, on what we make.
TABOR looks to be a likely initiative again.
More Taxes....
Once again, the state of Maine is looking to generate additional revenue streams rather than looking at itself in an attempt to streamline spending. The Governor needs to realize that the Dirigo Health program is a failure, and rather then trying to save face and try to make it work realize that it is that. A failure. The state of Maine is more or less a welfare state, everyone is doing their part to live off the system, and that will not work. I personally believe that it is time for smaller government at the state level and push more power to the local towns. Decrease taxes at the state level, cut all the ridiculous taxes that nickel and dime the citizens. Instead, cut state subsidies to the localities and increase the property taxes. That would ensure that money goes to those items that matter most to the communities that people live in. Schools, local roads, upkeep of those roads, town services. I myself as a citizen am sick of footing the bill for others across the state and lining the pockets of the state government to fund pet projects.
Drink Tax
Where were all of these retailers and distributors when the tax was going to be on tobacco products? Then they didn't care, the consumer got the tab, they still will be the ones who pay, the protestors just don't want to play middle man. I'm surprised that they don't start a petition to bring the minimum wage back to sixty cents and do away with benefits of any kind, they only care about lining their own pockets and have absolutely no respect for workers. Should we just give them (the business owners) a free ride?