Yes, I'm still around and kicking. There wasn't much going on today that I wanted to comment on. Except maybe this. (Personally, go, Charlie, go! Like I said, I can totally deal with 1 out of 100).
But, the thing I found really hilarious today is from the Miami Herald.
You may have heard that one of things the legislature is considering to do to raise revenue for the state is to increase the cigarette tax. In general, I think smoking is a choice, and if you want to pay $7 a pack, its your own business. But, sin taxes as they are called are diminishing sources, meaning you tax them and fewer people do them; fewer people smoking is good, but it also means less money for the state. So, building a state budget around it is kind of silly. But anyways....
Larry Cretul got a serious earful from the tobacco lobbyists this morning. It's an issue with them because not all tobacco companies pay into the tobacco settlement fund, so there will be a few brands left selling smokes without the tax. Unfair, I say!- or rather, the tobacco lobbyists.
But, this was the BEST rationale against the cigarette tax ever, brought to you by Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff:"Twenty-two percent of all sales in convenience stores are cigarettes. We need to look at everything. IF they don't go in to buy cigarettes, they don't buy the coke. They don't buy the chips.''I mean I understand what she's saying. But, really? This is your rationale? We need to protect sales at the 7-11 at the expense of people's health- both their lungs and apparently, according to Bogdanoff, their wastelines?
No one is really sure what will happen with the cigarette tax increase. But for now, smokers, go on with your bad selves for a bit longer, and don't forget to splurge for the taquito too. Oh, and don't forget to do a solo cheers of your Slupree, 'This ones for Ellyn!'
lame
That's the best you can come up with.