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February 13, 2008
We've Heard this Song Before...
The legislature is being encouraged to support a 10-cent tax increase on alcoholic beverages to pay for substance abuse programs.
AUGUSTA, Maine — Providers of substance abuse treatment gathered at the State House on Tuesday to tell lawmakers, policymakers and the public that helping people recover from substance abuse is a good investment of taxpayer dollars. The group also recommended raising the state tax on alcoholic beverages by 10 cents a drink in order to continue funding the programs they run and help fill other gaps in the crumbling state budget.The legislature promises that the tax would only pay for substance abuse programs.The tax would apply not only to drinks purchased in bars and restaurants but also to wine, beer and hard spirits purchased in stores for home consumption.
Right. Because they've been so good about controlling how they use vast pots of tax money in the past.
In addition, what an astoundingly cynical tax. The state is counting on people to purchase and consume alcohol to pay for programs to help alcoholics and other substance abusers - punishing those who use alcohol responsibly to pay the costs of those who do not, or can not. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic toward those who have a problem with alcohol, but I'm getting tired of this state's generosity with my money. I'm already paying for my own health care and that of my family. As I've said before, I work to support my family, not fill the state's coffers. I don't mind helping out those in need, but there's a limit to how much a government can tax, and the state passed it long ago.
By the way, note the governor's nuanced stance on this tax. Remember, he promised no new taxes. Looks like he might end up keeping his promise about as well as the last guy who made that claim.
Posted by slublog at February 13, 2008 08:04 AM
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Comments
So the tax would raise the price of an 18-pack by $1.80? That's ridiculous. I can't remember where I read it, and I can't remember the numbers, but governments at all levels receive more $ from beer and alcohol sales than do the merchants who sell the stuff and the brewers/makers who manufacturer the stuff. Like tobacco and gasoline, there has to be a point at which people say, "Screw that, taxes are high enough!"
Posted by: skh.pcola at February 13, 2008 07:57 PM
Add in to all this the fact that recidivism from rehab/treatment/maintenance programs typically runs around 95% and you do not have a case for a single nickel being spent being 'a good investment'.
It may be the right thing to do, and improve general society to some degree, but as far as being 'a good investment', stuffing money into a toilet would do better: some of it might fall out.
Posted by: West at February 14, 2008 06:59 AM