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  • #16
    Re: Sin taxes

    Sin tax. Hmm. So does this mean they'll tax you extra on condoms if you're not married, but they won't if you are? Or tax you for medication for STDs and stuff? Or put a big tax on "girlie mags"? Just what kinds of sins are we talking about here??

    This could get interesting...

    Can't think of anything creative this time

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: Sin taxes

      Let's just hope they don't tax Internet access.

      Comment


      • #18
        Re: Sin taxes

        Originally posted by acousticlady View Post
        Here in NY they want to institute an "obesity" tax. Taxing soda that contains real sugar but not soda that has artificial sweeteners.
        If junk food is more expensive, then I'll just buy affordable healthy food.

        I think we should rename "luxury tax" as "indulgence tax" and classify junk food as "indulgence."
        Beijing 8-08-08 to 8-24-08

        Tiananmen Square 4-15-89 to 6-04-89

        Comment


        • #19
          Re: Sin taxes

          The thing with sin is...
          Either we give in or we don't.
          It don't matter the cost.
          We'll pay it... you know we will.
          HaHa! Oh well, such is life, eh?
          Life is either an adventure... or you're not doing it right!!!

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: Sin taxes

            Originally posted by Amati View Post
            Is it OK to target a select group of consumers and tax them higher, in order to raise funds for the masses?
            It's already being done. I think that argument was settled along time ago. If you need an example, we tax the rich at a higher rate.


            Originally posted by Amati View Post
            What if, for example, I consider watching TV to be a sin (because it is wasteful of precious time), maybe TV watching should be charged a sin tax?
            How would you implement it? Note that our lawmakers are talking about raising an existing tax, not creating a new one which would be much more complicated.

            Comment


            • #21
              Re: Sin taxes

              Originally posted by GeckoGeek View Post
              How would you implement it? Note that our lawmakers are talking about raising an existing tax, not creating a new one which would be much more complicated.
              My point was asking what would be considered a "sin", besides the already stated alcohol and cigarettes. I gave Tv as an example consideration (the so-called "sin" of wasting time). I was not saying I supported the taxing of Tv watching.
              Meanwhile, I don't for a minute think that if the legislature decides to tax something with a "sin tax", that they'd NOT do it because it would be complicated. In other words, if they see a source of money, being complicated would not stop them.
              Now run along and play, but don’t get into trouble.

              Comment


              • #22
                Re: Sin taxes

                Originally posted by Amati View Post
                Meanwhile, I don't for a minute think that if the legislature decides to tax something with a "sin tax", that they'd NOT do it because it would be complicated. In other words, if they see a source of money, being complicated would not stop them.
                Oh, I disagree. They are pragmatic when it comes to things like that. If they wanted to tax TV watching, they'd tack a tax on the cable bill. (OTA would remain free.)

                What else can they "sin" tax? Adult magazines and adult stores.

                I don't think they'd try taxing fast food unless they slipped it in as part of making food (grocery store) tax free.

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: Sin taxes

                  Originally posted by GeckoGeek View Post
                  Oh, I disagree. They are pragmatic when it comes to things like that. If they wanted to tax TV watching, they'd tack a tax on the cable bill. (OTA would remain free.)
                  That is what I am saying. Or trying to. I think that if the legislature decides there is something they want to tax, they will find a way to do so. I do not think that just because it is "complicated", they will forget about the tax. They will find a way, complicated or not.
                  They want your money, folks.
                  Now run along and play, but don’t get into trouble.

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Sin taxes

                    Originally posted by Amati View Post
                    They want your money, folks.
                    What's wrong with paying money in the form of taxes for goods and services for the common good? I like all the things that taxes provide to me. The US has an overall tax rate that is lower than average in the world vis a vis the amount of services that are provided.

                    To give a private sector example, I live in a homeowners association that provides certain services like landscape maintenance and exterior building maintenance in exchange for a monthly fee. I don't have to live here, but I like the convenience and the fact that I don't have to worry about those things, so that monthly fee (in the form of dues) is worth it to me.

                    I do have a problem with the Hawai'i State tax structure. Taxing food and rent for example are regressive in that these tax low income people at a higher rate than the wealthy. Taxes should be based on ability to pay. In my opinion, taxes based on income and luxury items like boats, airplanes, booze, cigarettes, prostitution, illegal drugs, etc. are the fairest. I think that Hawai'i real estate property taxes are ridiculously low and don't reflect ability to pay. But there I go again, sounding like a librul.

                    I urge anyone who is unhappy with the way that government is operated to run for public office. Seriously, if Sarah Palin can be elected a Governor, and thereby, proposed for the second highest office in the land, ANYBODY can do it! She has no special knowledge or intellect (maybe less than anyone in HT ohana). She is just passionate about her beliefs. She is just your typical "Gloria the Governor." That's all it takes is committment and passion.
                    Peace, Love, and Local Grindz

                    People who form FIRM opinions with so little knowledge only pretend to be open-minded. They select their facts like food from a buffet. David R. Dow

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: Sin taxes

                      "In my opinion, taxes based on income and luxury items like boats, airplanes, booze, cigarettes, prostitution, illegal drugs, etc. are the fairest." From Matapule's previous post.

                      Shhh... maybe they'll pick something other than boats. HaHa!

                      I think Hawaii would be better run, if funds were used where they're supposed to be.

                      Taxes and fees of all sorts are taken and the monies collected then raided for 'other' projects.
                      The areas and concerns of the people paying those fees see it just deteriorate into shambles. Sad and unfair.
                      Life is either an adventure... or you're not doing it right!!!

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Re: Sin taxes

                        Originally posted by Amati View Post
                        They want your money, folks.
                        They want more of our money.


                        Originally posted by matapule View Post
                        I do have a problem with the Hawai'i State tax structure. Taxing food and rent for example are regressive [...] I think that Hawai'i real estate property taxes are ridiculously low and don't reflect ability to pay.
                        Careful. Businesses (like landlords) don't pay taxes. They pass them on. So property taxes become a hidden rent tax.

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Re: Sin taxes

                          This man adamantly opposes sin taxes. They are a regressive and mean spirited, not to mention selfish way to move the bunden of taxation from the ultra rich to poor and working class folks with "sin" as the ostensible reason.

                          Take for example you and I both pay one dollar more tax on a bottle of beer. Bill Gates pays the same dollar. The dollar is nothing to Gates because even though he's very rich, you can only drink so much beer before you die.

                          For example;
                          $100/year you and I
                          $100/year Bill Gates

                          Now what he doesn't want is a percentage. In that case it may be more like:

                          $3/year you and I
                          $3,000,000/ year for Bill Gates

                          This is the true reason for high tobacco, gasoline, alcohol, and so on taxes in Hawaii. Richy rich is cuddling up to the top Democrats and they are quitely giving are lowest wage earners the shaft to the delight of the ultra-rich as they can now have a lower tax "bunden".

                          And the sickest thing of all is that this Democrat Legislature that supposedly is a friend of the poor and working class is hypocritical because Hawaii has some of the meanest excise taxes in the nation.

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: Sin taxes

                            Originally posted by AlohaKine View Post
                            Richy rich is cuddling up to the top Democrats and they are quitely giving are lowest wage earners the shaft to the delight of the ultra-rich as they can now have a lower tax "bunden"..
                            Not to worry. Haven't you heard? Obama is going to take money from Timkona and give it to all you poor guys with wealth redistribution.

                            Now take me for example. I am sitting here enjoying my fine bottle of Havana Club Cuban Rum. You poor guys in the States can't even enjoy a fine Cuban rum. I am redistributing my wealth to the poor people of Cuba with what is an illegal product in the US. My friends come to visit me and pour their Havana Club into an empty Kahlua bottle so they can get it through customs in LA. One customs guy asked my 69 y.o.friend, "What do you have there?" He said, "Cuban rum inside a Kahlua bottle." The customs officer laughed and sent him on through. Sinning never felt so good!
                            Peace, Love, and Local Grindz

                            People who form FIRM opinions with so little knowledge only pretend to be open-minded. They select their facts like food from a buffet. David R. Dow

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Re: Sin taxes

                              Since, we're second to Utah for on-line porn subscribers. How about a 4 percent sin tax on those? Btw, we lost to BYU and Utah. So, I can't use the big foam finger prop stating that we're number one.

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: Sin taxes

                                Originally posted by Walkoff Balk View Post
                                Since, we're second to Utah for on-line porn subscribers. How about a 4 percent sin tax on those?
                                Easy to say, hard to collect.

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