If we’re going to try to tax certain groups of people in Missouri for their bad habits, we certainly shouldn’t stop with tobacco users. I can think of a few others we can tax. How about overweight people? They are prone to diabetes and other illnesses, which ultimately the taxpayers have to pay for.
We could have everyone weigh in when they pay their personal property taxes. If they are over the limit, we could charge them so much a pound. This would bring in a lot of money for the state.
How about those people in wheelchairs? The taxpayers have to foot the bill for all those ramps, and yet only those in wheelchairs benefit. I would certainly vote for a tax on those people.
How about church-going people? We all know churches are big business, yet they pay no taxes. Not everybody goes to church, yet everyone but the churches have to pay taxes.
I’m sure that everyone can think of a segment of the population to tax. So let’s get those petitions going.
Harley A. Tompkins
Kansas City
Missouri: 2nd lowest tobacco tax in the nation, 3rd highest smoking rate in the nation.
Gee, let me think....
Posted by: CRD | November 12, 2006 at 09:06 AM
GCYL - don't be so touchy. The entire letter is obviously tounge-in-cheek and not meant to be taken literally.
Posted by: JUNGLEJACK | November 10, 2006 at 08:35 PM
“If we’re going to try to tax certain groups of people in Missouri for their bad habits, we certainly shouldn’t stop with tobacco users.” “How about church-going people?” - Harley A. Tompkins
I’m entertained by the progression of Harley’s letter.
“We all know churches are big business, yet they pay no taxes. Not everybody goes to church, yet everyone but the churches have to pay taxes.”
Odd. Didn’t we just pass an amendment granting veteran organizations tax-free status on their land and property? I take it Mr. Tompkins that you strongly disagree with this new amendment?
Posted by: GCYL | November 10, 2006 at 04:45 PM
It should be a "dispiosable diaper" tax. That way it is a "use tax" only on those who choose to use them. Of course those that use cloth diapers should be surcharged for all the spore they add to the sewage system. Why should the rest of us subsidize those who choose to have children?
Churches NEED taxed. Maybe allow the property the church sits on and one house as a "parsonage". But I know of churches that own all kinds of property that they don't pay tax on.
Posted by: jack | November 10, 2006 at 10:53 AM
I think we need to start a "diaper" tax. This will help offset all the extra trash that diapers cause, and would only effect those that have kids.
Posted by: T. Hanson | November 10, 2006 at 06:26 AM