Gas Taxes

[Gayla]

Originally Posted by Waldo

So you're happy to pay huge "sin taxes" in order to slowly kill yourself but you balk at raising taxes for keeping the government machine running?

I ask, specifically of you, because I am always amused when I hear people B**** up a storm around me about taxes each time they get a paycheck but just as soon as they cash that check they get in their car and drive five blocks to buy a carton of cigs.

My mother was the same way - of course back then the taxes on her cigarettes were brand new and only jacked the prices a little - to about $30/carton.

I guess it's all a matter of what's important to the individual.

And I find it interesting that you see my post as bitching up a storm.

I don't "balk" at any of it. I think I even said a couple of times in my post that I don't mind paying taxes. I do think it's frustrating that our local and state governments can't just come up with a number they need and raise taxes all at once rather then these little half cent at a time sin taxes every other month. Snohomish County is something like 63 million in the hole for this year and even more for next year. If they can make that up with a nickel on a pack of Juicy Fruit, I'll gladly pay it. I'd pay an extra dime if it meant buses ran on Sunday and the library was open more then three days a week. And maybe even a whole quarter to keep the pools open all summer and have the trash at the parks emptied more then once a week!

Yes, I am a smoker. I've been a smoker for more then 30 years. I will continue to smoke until I'm ready to quit. Having lost both of my parents to smoking related illnesses, I'm quite aware of the health consequences just as I'm aware that the price will not deter me. Some of us are even responsible about it and don't spend the kids food stamp money to get our nicotine fix or scrounge the streets picking up change to buy them one butt at a time at the Quicky Mart. Gosh, I even fill my car up with a full tank when I run low on gas. Imagine the taxes I'm paying for that!

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by gayla

And I find it interesting that you see my post as bitching up a storm.

I don't "balk" at any of it. I think I even said a couple of times in my post that I don't mind paying taxes. I do think it's frustrating that our local and state governments can't just come up with a number they need and raise taxes all at once rather then these little half cent at a time sin taxes every other month. Snohomish County is something like 63 million in the hole for this year and even more for next year. If they can make that up with a nickel on a pack of Juicy Fruit, I'll gladly pay it. I'd pay an extra dime if it meant buses ran on Sunday and the library was open more then three days a week. And maybe even a whole quarter to keep the pools open all summer and have the trash at the parks emptied more then once a week!

Yes, I am a smoker. I've been a smoker for more then 30 years. I will continue to smoke until I'm ready to quit. Having lost both of my parents to smoking related illnesses, I'm quite aware of the health consequences just as I'm aware that the price will not deter me. Some of us are even responsible about it and don't spend the kids food stamp money to get our nicotine fix or scrounge the streets picking up change to buy them one butt at a time at the Quicky Mart. Gosh, I even fill my car up with a full tank when I run low on gas. Imagine the taxes I'm paying for that!

gayla... I realize I'm not always particularly eloquent in my communication but I said that I asked the question OF YOU because I'm always amused when people bitch up a storm AROUND ME.

But you can take offense if you want.