Raise taxes to pay for health programs

[MissCatholic]

Does this idea offend many people?

Should smokers pay more than a non-smoker?

Cigarettes are way too cheap considerring what harm they do to people. But i am against this idea.

I want to find many solutions to fund healthcare programs yet this is bigoted approach. Should we put tax on burgers as more fat people buy them?

I think i am with my friends on the otherside on this issue.

[John Dibble]

No, I want to be rid of healthcare programs.

[MODU]

I voted no, though it's not a bad idea to entertain.  In my personal opinion, I don't think cigarettes are taxed enough.

However, in general, we don't need to raise taxes in order to fund health programs.  We need to cut down the waste involved in the current medical systems.  Centralize medical records, streamline the insurance policies, and limit malpractice suits/awards, and millions can be recovered each year to be applied towards actually "helping" the patient.

[John Dibble]

Also, if you're going to go down this line of thinking, you should tax fat people more as well as unhealthy foods - no reason us people who eat healthy should pay for the coronary bypass of some fat guy, right?

[Emsworth]

No, I want to be rid of healthcare programs.

^^^

[A18]

No, I want to be rid of healthcare programs.

^^^

[KEmperor]

No, I want to be rid of healthcare programs.

^^^

[Virginian87]

Why tax people for smoking in the first place?  It should be their decision to buy ciggarettes and light up.  If they want to smoke multiple packs a day and contract lung cancer in 30 years, that's their problem.

[A18]

Why tax people for smoking in the first place? It should be their decision to buy ciggarettes and light up. If they want to smoke multiple packs a day and contract lung cancer in 30 years, that's their problem.

Problem is, once you have socialized health care, it becomes society's problem. Which is one reason universal health care is a road to tyranny.

It will soon become an excuse for government to control people's behavior.

[John Dibble]

Why tax people for smoking in the first place?  It should be their decision to buy ciggarettes and light up.  If they want to smoke multiple packs a day and contract lung cancer in 30 years, that's their problem.

Well, the idea here is that people who smoke will have more health problems, and thusly they'll cost the taxpayers more when they use programs like Medicare or Medicaid. As I said, extending that logic you could tax unhealthy foods. I don't think the taxpayers need pay for other people's health, especially considering there are people who refuse to live healthy lives, so I advocate getting rid of or at least minimizing such programs.

[KEmperor]

Why tax people for smoking in the first place? It should be their decision to buy ciggarettes and light up. If they want to smoke multiple packs a day and contract lung cancer in 30 years, that's their problem.

Problem is, once you have socialized health care, it becomes society's problem. Which is one reason universal health care is a road to tyranny.

It will soon become an excuse for government to control people's behavior.

Well said.  We are already seeing the beginning of it.

[Dave from Michigan]

no citarette taxes are high enough.  We need to get rid of some of these government health programs they are the problem not the solution to the so called healthcare crisis.

[Virginian87]

So-called healthcare crisis?  The problems with Medicare are much worse than the problems with Social Security.

[David S]

No, I want to be rid of healthcare programs.

^^^^^ Also smokers already pay high cigarette taxes. Also#2, the tobacco industry just got sued out of their socks and the proceeds are supposed to pay for programs such as you suggest, although they probably will be used for other purposes.

Whys is it that you nuts always think raising taxes is the answer to every problem?

[© tweed]

No, but I think people who smoke should be eliminated from any government-sponsored health-care programs.

[A18]

That's only fair if they get to opt out of the taxes.

[© tweed]

That's only fair if they get to opt out of the taxes.

Fair enough

[A18]

But then it's only fair if you also let everyone else opt out of the system

[© tweed]

But then it's only fair if you also let everyone else opt out of the system

Yes I agree.  Everyone can opt out the system in exchange for not having to pay a certain amount of tax money.  But people who do thinks that are known to be very hazardous to your health cannot participate in the system.

[David S]

Why tax people for smoking in the first place? It should be their decision to buy ciggarettes and light up. If they want to smoke multiple packs a day and contract lung cancer in 30 years, that's their problem.

Problem is, once you have socialized health care, it becomes society's problem. Which is one reason universal health care is a road to tyranny.

It will soon become an excuse for government to control people's behavior.

A while back I was discussing the so-called obesity crisis with my brother, a liberal left wing Democrat. I voiced my concern about government's apparent intention to become involved in the diet of Americans. He said "well if some poor person eats at McDonalds and gets fat, and becomes ill, who pays for his medical treatment?" He seemed to feel that justified government meddling in our diets. So your point is correct.

[opebo]

I would prefer that the revenue be derived from a tax upon the income of the wealthy.  I'm against sales taxes in general, and particularly against the idea of taxing different products at different rates.

[Speed of Sound]

i would much prefer the tax being spread out over many different areas, not just on cigarettes, but i could reluctantly accept this.