Taxing You For Treating Yourself How You Want

(Smoke em while you can!)

POLITICO:

"If you make big bucks — or enjoy alcohol, cigarettes and Coke — the government might hit you up to pay for fixing the nation’s health care system.

On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee peeked into vending machines and liquor stores, company payrolls and health savings accounts, looking for a mix of tax increases and spending cuts as a way to pay for a health overhaul — which could cost more than $1.5 trillion over 10 years."

Do you remember when Obama said "If you make under $125,000 a year, you will not see any raise in your taxes". I don't know how many times I have to bring this up with people. A lot of people will jump to his defense and say that he meant Federal and Income taxes. Well, that is not what he said, say what you mean and mean what you say.

So what are we taxing now? Cigarettes have already seen an increase in tax that was an increase more than all the previous increases combined....in one shot. Now they are considering taxing alcohol.

"But soda and sugary drinks found a friend Tuesday in Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking member on the Finance Committee.

He categorically rejected the idea during a conference call with reporters.

“No,” he said swiftly, when asked if there was any chance of taxing it. “I think, quite frankly, the only reason it’s being brought up is to get it shot down early so it doesn’t become part of the debate. I don’t think it’s going to have any legs at all.”

Just the fact that it was mentioned is disheartening though because you know the option, though brushed aside, is still on the table.

Am I being ridiculous with these "small" taxes? Let's take a look at a little bit more then:

"People who like the tax-free status of their company health benefits could be asked to ante up. Money in the pot: more than $700 billion over 10 years.

Treasure the tax benefits from your health savings account? Some experts say the accounts encourage “excess consumption” of health services — and committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) agreed they’re worth a look. Money in the pot: $60 billion over 10 years."

Ah, we are now going to start taxing heath savings accounts and benefits too. Unbelievable.

Tax. Tax. Tax.

Of course, the remedy will be giving you "free", cause we all know it's free, health care in the near future.

European culture of waiting 6 months for treatment, here we come.