The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux) - Page 389

Alex · 01-14-2009, 12:11 PM

I don't think the government should be encouraging people to stop smoking, so to the extent that taxes exist for that reason, I oppose them.

Alex · 01-14-2009, 12:23 PM

GD, just so you know, you're in bed right now with George Will. That has been his oft-taken point of view on smoking taxes (it seems to be more muted for other sin taxes where he is more strongly opposed to the sin).

Ghoulish Delight · 01-14-2009, 12:31 PM

I've seen the argument before, but I've mostly overlooked it because I connected the cig. taxes to the anti-smoking propaganda programs. And whether or not I agree with those programs, at least it was a fairly closed system in that if tax revenue dropped due to successful deterrence, then need for that tax revenue would also drop since less propaganda would theoretically be needed.

But seeing it linked to SCHIP got under my skin because it's so removed. The "smoking=2nd hand smoke=need for child health insurance" link is tenuous at best. If all smokers were to suddenly quit, that would not make the need for SCHIP disappear, so it doesn't seem to make sense to me to link the funding so directly to it.

And while I'm not necessarily in favor of government being responsible for discouraging smoking, I'm uneasy about creating a motivation for encouraging it.

Alex · 01-14-2009, 12:45 PM

I just wanted to plant the image of you in bed with George Will.

Ghoulish Delight · 01-14-2009, 02:19 PM

Hey, if he's sexy enough for Kramer...

Ghoulish Delight · 01-15-2009, 08:33 PM

"You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions."

Willing to make them? As opposed to what? Curl up in a fetal position and cry? Umm, okay, sure, I agree that you maintained at minimum a level of consciousness that allowed you to decide one way or another on something. Now, can we get back to talking about HOW you made those decisions and whether they were good or not?

SacTown Chronic · 01-15-2009, 09:22 PM

My favorite 'it-takes-special-balls-and-W-has-'em' tough decision?

The tough decision to invade Iraq after spending months leading all the intelligence and public opinion down that path.

Ghoulish Delight · 01-19-2009, 08:17 PM

Sometimes I wonder about the editors at MSNBC. This is the image they decided to go with for the front-page bipartisan fundraising story:

Snowflake · 01-19-2009, 09:02 PM

Keith Olberman's wet blanket special comment certainly could have waited a few days. I do not like George Bush anymore than he does, but really, tonight of all nights?

scaeagles · 01-22-2009, 02:42 PM

I am greatly relieved that Caroline Kennedy will not be the appointed Senator from NY to replace Clinton. That would have been a serious joke.

01-14-2009, 12:11 PM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I don't think the government should be encouraging people to stop smoking, so to the extent that taxes exist for that reason, I oppose them.
	Submit to Quotes

01-14-2009, 12:23 PM	#2
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	GD, just so you know, you're in bed right now with George Will. That has been his oft-taken point of view on smoking taxes (it seems to be more muted for other sin taxes where he is more strongly opposed to the sin).
	Submit to Quotes

01-14-2009, 12:31 PM	#3
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I've seen the argument before, but I've mostly overlooked it because I connected the cig. taxes to the anti-smoking propaganda programs. And whether or not I agree with those programs, at least it was a fairly closed system in that if tax revenue dropped due to successful deterrence, then need for that tax revenue would also drop since less propaganda would theoretically be needed. But seeing it linked to SCHIP got under my skin because it's so removed. The "smoking=2nd hand smoke=need for child health insurance" link is tenuous at best. If all smokers were to suddenly quit, that would not make the need for SCHIP disappear, so it doesn't seem to make sense to me to link the funding so directly to it. And while I'm not necessarily in favor of government being responsible for discouraging smoking, I'm uneasy about creating a motivation for encouraging it. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

01-14-2009, 12:45 PM	#4
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I just wanted to plant the image of you in bed with George Will.
	Submit to Quotes

01-14-2009, 02:19 PM	#5
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Hey, if he's sexy enough for Kramer... __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

01-15-2009, 08:33 PM	#6
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	"You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions." Willing to make them? As opposed to what? Curl up in a fetal position and cry? Umm, okay, sure, I agree that you maintained at minimum a level of consciousness that allowed you to decide one way or another on something. Now, can we get back to talking about HOW you made those decisions and whether they were good or not? __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

01-15-2009, 09:22 PM	#7
SacTown Chronic the myth of the dream Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,217	My favorite 'it-takes-special-balls-and-W-has-'em' tough decision? The tough decision to invade Iraq after spending months leading all the intelligence and public opinion down that path. __________________ Is it the fingers, or the brain that you're teaching a lesson?
	Submit to Quotes

01-19-2009, 08:17 PM	#8
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Sometimes I wonder about the editors at MSNBC. This is the image they decided to go with for the front-page bipartisan fundraising story: __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

01-19-2009, 09:02 PM	#9
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Keith Olberman's wet blanket special comment certainly could have waited a few days. I do not like George Bush anymore than he does, but really, tonight of all nights? __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
	Submit to Quotes

01-22-2009, 02:42 PM	#10
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	I am greatly relieved that Caroline Kennedy will not be the appointed Senator from NY to replace Clinton. That would have been a serious joke.
	Submit to Quotes