Foreign pressure on Congress begins

[txmatt]

This blurb is taken from CigarCyclopedia.com News & Views:

Los Angeles, August 15 – “The U.S. Congress and the Senate should recognize the damage this measure does to Nicaragua in its fight against poverty.”

So says Freddy Torres, a member of the Nicaraguan Assembly who also sits on the Assembly’s economic commission. The Assembly sent a declaration objecting to Congressional plans for a major tax hike on premium cigars, noting the damage it would do to Nicaragua.

According to Torres, “This measure will prejudice thousands of workers in the tobacco growing and cigar making industry.” He estimated that between 70,000 and 100,000 workers would be impacted, depending on the nature of the tax hike.

The financial impact to Nicaragua alone could reach $60 million U.S., with 69 percent of all Nicaraguan cigar exports destined for the U.S., by far the world’s largest cigar market.

Estimates from U.S. cigar industry sources of the number of people in the Caribbean cigar-making countries – including the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico and Nicaragua – who could be seriously impacted by a major Federal tax hike on cigars in the U.S. could be as high as 250,000. Major U.S. cigar manufacturers and distributors such as Altadis U.S.A., General Cigar, J. C. Newman and others are bringing elected officials from the affected countries directly to Washington, D.C. during the August recess to speak with Representatives and Senators to underscore the impact that a major tax hike on cigars would have.

The part I made bold there seems like a good move to me. This measure really caught the cigar industry and its lobbyists off guard. Adding some international pressure is great.

[Teninx]

As much as I applaud any opposition to new taxes on cigars, I would hope that members of Congress would cast thier votes to reflect the best interest of America, not the protests of foreign governments.

[txmatt]

Originally Posted by Teninx

As much as I applaud any opposition to new taxes on cigars, I would hope that members of Congress would cast thier votes to reflect the best interest of America, not the protests of foreign governments.

Unfortunately that is not what Congress does. They are a "Parliament of Whores" and will always be. Actually John T. Kennedy argues well that calling Congress "whores" is unfair because a whore will not force their services upon you.

The party that tries to minimize government's size, role, and reach is the one that gets my vote.

[hoax]

Originally Posted by Teninx

As much as I applaud any opposition to new taxes on cigars, I would hope that members of Congress would cast thier votes to reflect the best interest of America, not the protests of foreign governments.

Protecting the financial stability of our neighbors is in our best interest.

[Coffee Grounds]

Originally Posted by Teninx

As much as I applaud any opposition to new taxes on cigars, I would hope that members of Congress would cast thier votes to reflect the best interest of America, not the protests of foreign governments.

You make a valid point.
Now I do think we should listen to foreign governments when we are dicussing issues of trade and economics. We don't have to do what they want but we should be open to compromise with a trading partner.

We should never compromise when it comes to security.

I really do not think this bill will go through as it stands.

[cman78]

Originally Posted by Teninx

As much as I applaud any opposition to new taxes on cigars, I would hope that members of Congress would cast thier votes to reflect the best interest of America, not the protests of foreign governments.

I agree let's get all those auto manufacturing jobs back we let go to Mexico (NAFTA) and let's stop outsourcing phone support to countries overseas... I could go on. /end rant.

[hova45]

its about time someone else stepped in and helped the fight against this unjust tax, if they want to fund this insurance for kids they should stop all the pork spending and stop the war then it could easily be funded and in general healthcare should be free like in Europe and Canada.

[Big_Boy Stogie]

Originally Posted by hova45

its about time someone else stepped in and helped the fight against this unjust tax, if they want to fund this insurance for kids they should stop all the pork spending and stop the war then it could easily be funded and in general healthcare should be free like in Europe and Canada.

Do you really think that it is free in Europe and Canada? They are paying for it by means of higher tax rates, stagnant economy, etc. However I do agree with you in regards to pork spending (both sides dem and rep).

[txmatt]

Originally Posted by Big_Boy Stogie

Do you really think that it is free in Europe and Canada? They are paying for it by means of higher tax rates, stagnant economy, etc. However I do agree with you in regards to pork spending (both sides dem and rep).

gotta love how many are spinning it as "free".

One third of my paycheck goes to the government; I am not going to see a cent of the money going to the soon-to-be bankrupt Social Security program. The government is managing to bankrupt that program but we are to believe they are capable of providing our citizens (and 14 million illegal immigrants) with health care in a fiscally responsible fashion?

The only way I can see the fed being able to accomplish this is if they declare themselves immune to malpractice suits as the F&*#@% up tort law in this nation keeps health care costs so high. Can you imagine if your tax went up every time an overworked & underpaid Fed health care employee screws up? What will the new term to replace "going postal" be?

If you think there is pork now just wait to see what they sneak in if medicine is socialized.. This proposed "Children's Healthcare" plan is to cover 25 years olds! Besides not being able to trust Congress with your tax dollars, just think about all the ways citizens will try to exploit "free" health care. The government took decades to get welfare exploitation under control..

[macjoe53]

Originally Posted by txmatt

gotta love how many are spinning it as "free".

One third of my paycheck goes to the government; I am not going to see a cent of the money going to the soon-to-be bankrupt Social Security program. The government is managing to bankrupt that program but we are to believe they are capable of providing our citizens (and 14 million illegal immigrants) with health care in a fiscally responsible fashion?

The only way I can see the fed being able to accomplish this is if they declare themselves immune to malpractice suits as the F&*#@% up tort law in this nation keeps health care costs so high. Can you imagine if your tax went up every time an overworked & underpaid Fed health care employee screws up? What will the new term to replace "going postal" be?

If you think there is pork now just wait to see what they sneak in if medicine is socialized.. This proposed "Children's Healthcare" plan is to cover 25 years olds! Besides not being able to trust Congress with your tax dollars, just think about all the ways citizens will try to exploit "free" health care. The government took decades to get welfare exploitation under control..

I find it interesting that the big pushers behind the SCHIP is the Democratic Party. If my memory serves me well, it was the Democratic Party which pushed for and got the initiative passed which allowed the government to tap into Social Security money for other purposes. If our Social Security dollars were protected as they once were, it would not be in danger.

Second, what makes you think that welfare exploitation is under control now.

[c2000]

Originally Posted by txmatt

gotta love how many are spinning it as "free".

One third of my paycheck goes to the government; I am not going to see a cent of the money going to the soon-to-be bankrupt Social Security program. The government is managing to bankrupt that program but we are to believe they are capable of providing our citizens (and 14 million illegal immigrants) with health care in a fiscally responsible fashion?

The only way I can see the fed being able to accomplish this is if they declare themselves immune to malpractice suits as the F&*#@% up tort law in this nation keeps health care costs so high. Can you imagine if your tax went up every time an overworked & underpaid Fed health care employee screws up? What will the new term to replace "going postal" be?

If you think there is pork now just wait to see what they sneak in if medicine is socialized.. This proposed "Children's Healthcare" plan is to cover 25 years olds! Besides not being able to trust Congress with your tax dollars, just think about all the ways citizens will try to exploit "free" health care. The government took decades to get welfare exploitation under control..

Right on.........Believe me you do not want universal health care,, you would be put on a waiting list to see a DR.. And as far as social security is concerned they will be still dicking around with second hand smoke issues and non binding war resolutions when they get the news that its broke..The people in this country vote these idiots in based on if they are a dem or a republican and not for what they can do in government and no candidate can get elected if he/she tells it like it is..

I see the ads for this kiddie insurance program,,what they don't tell you is mom and dad can make up to 80k and the kid still qualifies for free medical..


Jerry in Minnesota

[smokinpoke]

I have to begin with Kharma is a B!tch.....remember Katrina and our neighbors to the south pitched in and offered aid. Take away a quarter million jobs from those countries and see how much help we get.

Next will be the black market. I mean you can get anything FED EXed or UPSed to your house. Do they really think that $10 a pop will stop cigar smoking. I have been on this board long enough to know that there are alot of creative individuals.

I wouldn't oppose a tax of say upto $1 but $10 come on that's ludicris

[kvm]

I think your right Matt. The extra pressure can only help.

Originally Posted by c2000

Right on.........Believe me you do not want universal health care,, you would be put on a waiting list to see a DR.. And as far as social security is concerned they will be still dicking around with second hand smoke issues and non binding war resolutions when they get the news that its broke..The people in this country vote these idiots in based on if they are a dem or a republican and not for what they can do in government and no candidate can get elected if he/she tells it like it is..
I see the ads for this kiddie insurance program,,what they don't tell you is mom and dad can make up to 80k and the kid still qualifies for free medical..


Jerry in Minnesota

True....it would be nice if more people ignored parties when they voted.

[RaiderinKS]

Originally Posted by cman78

I agree let's get all those auto manufacturing jobs back we let go to Mexico (NAFTA) and let's stop outsourcing phone support to countries overseas... I could go on. /end rant.

I am always amazed at this argument. People with less training and paid a significantly lower wage can do the same job better and/or more efficiently, but yeah, lets cry about the americans that lost their jobs. Get an education!

[hova45]

Originally Posted by Big_Boy Stogie

Do you really think that it is free in Europe and Canada? They are paying for it by means of higher tax rates, stagnant economy, etc. However I do agree with you in regards to pork spending (both sides dem and rep).

Trust me I know, my family has a house in France and I am the one who pays the taxes their. But the system works and i think it is worth it and it isn't as bad as what we pay in taxes.