It passed the committee 17-4

[grateful1]

SCHIP

 

[Anthony]

 

[tomthirtysix]

Yeah, that's not good...

 

[hojadepuro]

that ticks me off. It says
"The tax on a pack of cigarettes would increase by 61 cents to help pay for the expansion. Taxes on cigars and chewing tobacco also would jump."

That doesn't do the tax justice. It makes it sound like packs of cigarettes are the main target. Taxing a cigar up to $10 is ridiculous; no wonder they wouldn't put it in print; people would flip out. :angry:

I am not happy right now!

Brandon

 

[PSTAN]

This Sucks!

 

[grateful1]

I looked for the writers email...to let him know...instead I found a blog and posted about the DETAILS!

 

[jfields]

FUC%ERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tsmckenney]

Here's the scary part.

Finance Committe:

Democrats

MAX BAUCUS, MT
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, WV
KENT CONRAD, ND
JEFF BINGAMAN, NM
JOHN F. KERRY, MA
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, AR
RON WYDEN, OR
CHARLES E. SCHUMER, NY
DEBBIE STABENOW, MI
MARIA CANTWELL, WA
KEN SALAZAR, CO

Republicans

CHARLES GRASSLEY, IA
ORRIN G. HATCH, UT
TRENT LOTT, MS
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, ME
JON KYL, AZ
GORDON SMITH, OR
JIM BUNNING, KY
MIKE CRAPO, ID
PAT ROBERTS, KS
JOHN ENSIGN, NV


Only 4 people voted against. This bill is getting far more support than I expected.

 

[tigger]

Notes sent to Dodd and Lieberman for all the good it won't do.

 

[Mr Peat]

Glad this prick isn't my Senator. "A $10 cap on a very expensive cigar would not be terribly onerous," Baucus replied.

Time to get off the soap box before I have a heart attack. :laugh:

 

[Flatsix]

When would the actual tax be applied? If this thing passes, I've got to go on a buying spree!!

My Government blows me away some times. What is the matter with the friggin a$$holes???

 

[Flatsix]

"How do we explain that, justify that, or do we even care?" Lott said at one point when asking colleagues about the tax increase on cigars.

 

[MiamiCubano]

Georgie-boy has stated on more than one occasion now that he will veto this when it comes across his desk. We'll see.

 

[CoventryCat86]

Georgie-boy has stated on more than one occasion now that he will veto this when it comes across his desk. We'll see.

See, he's not such a bad guy after all now is he?

Don't vote Democrat for president in 2008.......

 

[indyrob]

Georgie-boy has stated on more than one occasion now that he will veto this when it comes across his desk. We'll see.

See, he's not such a bad guy after all now is he?

Don't vote Democrat for president in 2008.......

Incase you didn't read the fine print...

Don't vote Democrat for president in 2008.......

The man speaks the truth....

 

[PuroEsq]

If this thing passes I am dumping all of my cigars in Boston Harbor. Who is with me!!!!?????!!!


Guys?



Hello?


???

 

[Mr Peat]

If this thing passes I am dumping all of my cigars in Boston Harbor. Who is with me!!!!?????!!!


Guys?



Hello?


???

Hell with that...I'll just goto Boston and smoke your entire stash and then toss the ashes into the Harbor. :laugh:

 

[Shooter]

Tax commercials on Satuday morning cartoons. Why the hell do cigars smokers have to pay for child care? Raise the tax on kiddie toys so the parents are held responsible for paying for health care. I could go on and on.

 

[Jack Straw]

I emailed SC's two senators regarding the proposed tax increase and received the following replies:

1. Senator Lindsey Graham's (He's the guy who's always about 1/2 step behind John McCain lately) response:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I appreciate the opportunity
to hear from you.

In spite of the high volume of mail I receive daily, I look forward to
reviewing your correspondence and providing a personal response as soon as
possible.

As we continue our work in the 110th Congress, I look forward to
supporting our troops in the War on Terror, providing the men and women of
the National Guard and Reserves with improved health care, strengthening
Social Security, protecting American jobs, lowering the tax burden on
American families, and making the federal government more accountable and
efficient.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of further assistance to
you or your family, and if you need immediate assistance, please call my
office at 202-224-5972. If your correspondence pertains to a scheduling
request, please fax your request to (202) 224-3808.

Sincerely,

Lindsey Graham

A nice form letter saying absolutely nothing about anything. Very politically correct.

2. Senator Jim DeMint's response:

Dear Mr. Michels ,

Thank you for writing me to express your opposition to raising the federal tobacco tax in order to fund the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

As you may know, Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon offered an amendment to the 2008 Senate Budget Resolution that would permit an increase in the federal tobacco tax in order to pay for the reauthorization of SCHIP. Though Senator Smith's amendment passed by a vote of 59-40 on March 23, 2007, I voted against this amendment.

While I support a reauthorization of SCHIP that is consistent with the original intent of the law, I do not support raising federal tobacco taxes in order to expand the program. Congress's inability to be fiscally responsible and adhere to a budget should not be an excuse for raising taxes. It is critical for Congress to prioritize how federal taxpayer dollars should be spent so that individuals do not have to make further sacrifices for bad budget decisions.

During my time in Congress, I have consistently fought to restrain spending and protect American taxpayers. As your Senator, you can be sure that I will oppose a raise in the federal tobacco tax in order to fund SCHIP. I will also continue to aggressively fight excessive spending, adhere to our budget, and bring fiscal responsibility back to our government.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future about anything important to you or your family. It is an honor to serve you and the people of South Carolina .


Sincerely,

Jim DeMint
United States Senator


Admittedly, I am sure some aide wrote this response, but I am just as sure it represents Senator DeMint's feelings on the issue. Instead of some self-serving, flag waving, BS, I was pleasantly surprised to see the senator address the issue on point.

I guess Senator Graham is too busy angling for the VP nomination, in the off chance John McCain would win the Republican presidential nomination, to address any issue on point.

Anyone else hear back from their senators? I am curious to see what positions are being taken.

 

[CoventryCat86]

McCain is DONE is the presidential race so Graham ought to be taking care of business back at home.