States Go to War on Cigarette Smuggling

[Al Bundy]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124804682785163691.html

Allow me to summarize the process:

• Government creates the entire cigarette smuggling industry because of punitive tax increases to cover budget deficits (and agenda)
• Tax revenue falls close to or below levels prior to tax increases, budget problems remain intact
• Government now has to increase law-enforcement to reduce the smuggling, which in turn creates additional bureaucracy and increases the budget deficits to support the administration and enforcement efforts.
• The results of the enforcement cause further impacts to the budget deficits in the judicial processes and imprisonment.
• There is collateral damage of lives and families destroyed in the enforcement process on both sides
• New budget deficits exceed previous year, politicians have the brilliant idea to gap the budget by increasing punitive taxes on cigarettes

discuss...

 

[eric]

As far as I'm concerned, this solidifies the case the governments opposition to the electronic cigarette is all about securing as much tax revenue on analogs as possible.

 

[Al Bundy]

As far as I'm concerned, this solidifies the case the governments opposition to the electronic cigarette is all about securing as much tax revenue on analogs as possible.

Certainly raises questions as to what lengths they will pursue ecigs if they cannot find ways to tax them.

 

[Mary Kay]

The whole thing is just silly. Make the tax laws the same for every state and that stops the war. Then they will just have to worry about the usual smuggling from other countries and figure out a way to tax out of state on-line suppliers. Sure..that will work! because they are so good at stopping smuggling, just look at how well it went with prohibition.

 

[OutWest]

The States are financially desperate and it's only going to get worse. Here's what's happening in Oklahoma:

from Native American Times - Seized cigarettes pit tribe against Oklahoma Tax Commission

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – A federal judge has asked the Oklahoma Tax Commission not to stop Muscogee (Creek) Nation vehicles that are transporting tobacco until a judge can rule on part of a lawsuit filed against the commission by the tribe.

‘’I hope this doesn’t cause a flurry of vans filled with illegal cigarettes traveling the roads late at night, but I would ask that you stop this (until the court can rule),” U.S. District Judge Terence Kern said Wednesday while making the ruling.

The tribe filed the suit against the Tax Commission on Friday in Tulsa’s federal district court after agents working with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol stopped trucks on May 13 and May 15. Agents seized $40,000 worth of cigarettes in the first stop and about $68,000 in the second.

Each stop and seizure happened without a warrant, without the driver’s consent and without probable cause, the tribe alleges.

. . .

 

[eric]

Yeah, but prohibition was 70 years ago... Things have changed. I hate to say it, but I think they're capable of doing a much better job today than they did then.

 

[screwthedaisies]

Oh yeah, 'cause they've stopped drug smuggling dead in its tracks....

 

[harmony gardens]

This is lovely,,,

This tax is doomed from the start,,, if it accomplishes the so called "goal", of getting people to quit, the revenue dries up anyway.

For those left with thier addiction,,, financial hardship

 

[Bones]

The whole thing is just silly. Make the tax laws the same for every state and that stops the war. quote]


I don't think that Federally mandating States taxing policies would go over too well at all - States rights and all that -

 

[Closet Toker]

Well, at least the children are saved!

 

[Bones]

Yeah, but prohibition was 70 years ago... Things have changed. I hate to say it, but I think they're capable of doing a much better job today than they did then.

Exactly what makes you think that? -

See it in the headlines,
You hear it ev'ry day.
They say they're gonna stop it,
But it doesn't go away.
They move it through Miami, sell it in L.A.,
They hide it up in Telluride,
I mean it's here to stay.
It's propping up the governments in Columbia and Peru,
You ask any D.E.A. man,
He'll say There's nothin' we can do,
From the office of the President,
Right down to me and you.

It's a losing proposition,
But one you can't refuse.
It's the politics of contraband,
It's the smuggler's blues.

 

[eric]

Oh yeah, 'cause they've stopped drug smuggling dead in its tracks....

I don't think they've really tried to be honest.

I don't think that Federally mandating States taxing policies would go over too well at all - States rights and all that -

The states could always come to an agreement themselves without Federal oversight. With that said, I share your sentiment.

 

[Bones]

I don't think they've really tried to be honest.

Come on man -
They looked the other way for ...... and ....... but they're gonna pull out all the stops for E-juice?

 

[zero7starz]

I doubt that they can put a stock to cig smuggling any more or less efficiently then they could with any drug. They can't check every car going down ever road at all times, and even if they had the man power to do that it would be unconstitutional.

 

[eric]

Come on man -
They looked the other way for ...... and ....... but they're gonna pull out all the stops for E-Juice?

Wouldn't surprise me. I've seen some pretty solid evidence the CIA has been involved in a lot of the drug smuggling over the past 3 decades. I'm not a fan of the ACLU, but they give a good argument, photos, and documentation.

Not to mention, E-cigs threaten their tax revenues.

 

[dperino]

"they" wouldn't have to pull out all the stops. has anyone done any type of demographic research concerning those who use ecigs? do ya think it there would be a revolution if they're banned? how many do you think will return to smoking, how many would quit altogether and how many do you think would go the route of making their own ejuice and mods?

 

[OutWest]

"they" wouldn't have to pull out all the stops. has anyone done any type of demographic research concerning those who use ecigs? do ya think it there would be a revolution if they're banned? how many do you think will return to smoking, how many would quit altogether and how many do you think would go the route of making their own ejuice and mods?

true. All they have to do is publicly declare them unsafe and many will complacently(sp?) return to analogs, some will quit nicotine altogether, and a small handful will get their stuff on the blackmarket and from overseas.

 

[Mary Kay]

Bones, of course you are right..I was just making sense..no Government is going to do that!!! Silly me.

 

[Vapinginmyboots]

This government is trying to box us in and control us in certain things, like smoking habit, and also make money on tax dollars while doing it. What logic that is, lol, its only going to last so long b4 the tax dollars start to dry up. I dont think the people in control are stupid. They are playing a game with us, and sinking their gov't tendrils into our lives faster and more aggressively than ever in things society tends to shun more and more. Im not a smoker no mo, but I see smokers getting absolutely soaked and I hate it. We are next in line as it goes along with their underlining agenda, and it aint gonna be pretty gang! I wouldnt mind seeing a "Boston Tobacco Party" or probably soon to be legitimized "Boston Beer Party" sometime in the next 5 years. Things are getting a bit scary lately, but I shall keep vaping and hope something gives.

 

[Rogue X2 v2]

Has anybody ever thought of doing the unthinkable? 8-o to encourage spending!

lower taxes!