No Taxation Without Representation

Starting today, April 1st, 2009, appropriately April Fool’s Day, the Obama administration has imposed an added tax on cigarettes and tobacco. The prices of a pack of cigarettes has gone up sixty two cents, and the tax on a pound of roll-your-own tobacco went from $1.00 to $24.00, a 2000% tax hike in one fail swoop. Yet, the smoking community is still one of the least represented when it comes to our rights being protected in this country. In fact, in applying this tax, they openly state that their hope is to force us to quit smoking, and if we continue, the punishment will fit the crime, in their opinion. But we have committed no crime, we are simply exercising our right to choose to smoke. A right that we still have, even though many in this country would gladly take from us, if they could find a way.

More and more, we have seen our right to smoke erode away. They have taken the right away in most public places, parks, and are even trying to block us from smoking in our own homes! Yet we pay more in taxes than any other person in this country, including the wealthy, which is fast becoming the next thing they want to punish, it seems. When are those of us left with a little common sense left going to band together and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We refuse to pay these taxes until our rights are protected! It is time we take a stand in this country for what is right. Even if you don’t smoke, it is a matter of time until the powers that be decide that drinking coffee, sodas, or fast food is also bad for you, and start to force you to change as well through the same intimindation tactics. I don’t mind paying a fair share of taxes, but a 2000% increase is ridiculous, and should not be allowed by law. Actually, this is illegal, but no one is willing to stand up and stop it. If we don’t stop this here, it is a matter of time before something you enjoy is taken away by the same actions, and by then there will be nothing you can do to stop it. When are you going to stand up for what is right in this country?