Cigarette Taxes Burn Smoker’s Cash

Pity for smokers has been low on the list of society’s concerns, especially in New York. Not only is smoking banned in all public indoor areas throughout New York, but smokers are also branded with a stigma. Now, on top of the already extreme New York state tobacco tax, smokers will have to puff down the largest federal tobacco tax increase ever.

I’m a smoker, so that might invalidate my position to some non-smokers. I am also a college student that doesn’t have too much income. I am also someone who isn’t going to stop getting my nicotine fix, because the government — federal or state — decides they want to charge me more.

It is complete rubbish when a government officials say, “This will help people quit smoking.” I’m sorry, but I don’t think you really give a damn if anyone quits smoking. You want that money to come flowing in and you know smokers will give it you.

Anyone notice the recent “Obesity Tax” Governor Patterson proposed? The tax would’ve placed a 15 percent tax on all non-diet drinks . Yes, that means all you soda drinkers would have been paying dearly. Oh, but no, we wouldn’t want to upset those soda guzzlers. Patterson quickly backed off of this carbonated demand .

A vice tax is the simplest way to grab cash. Everyone has a vice, but the government will likely try to tax any vice they can in this recession. I get it; we are all low on cash. Still, the easy targets for the taxing torture have been a smoker.

Last year alone the New York tobacco tax increased from $1.50 to $2.75 per pack . That is a $1.25 increase in one year! There certainly is no sympathy when you see an increase that high. Also, let us not forget the additional 4 percent state sales tax on tobacco products.

Eric Lindbloom, director of policy research for the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, told USA Today that the average state tax is currently $1.19 a pack. New York is far beyond the average with their menacing $2.75 rate. All the New Yorkers that continue to smoke have to make a cut in their spending somewhere and that often means not patronizing local businesses.

The first thing I cut out was going to the bar more than once a week. Also, I go out Friday night because I can save money with 2-for-1 draft beer night at a local bar. Before I used to go out at least twice a week to the bars. I am not talking about getting smashed either. It is just nice to go downtown with some friends and relax.

The next thing I cut out were restaurants that didn’t except “Hawk Dollars,” which is basically a college account you can deposit money into and use at local businesses. For most students this is where their parents can deposit money and know how it is going to be used. They could even follow how their son or daughter spends their cash online (I doubt most parents know this). There are a lot of places I would like eat at more often, but if they don’t accept Hawk Dollars, sorry, they’re cut.

There are ways to get around the state tax. Smokers could go to a different state if they are close enough. Indian reservations have always been a safe-haven for smokers too. The Internet leads to even more possibilities. You can get cigarettes at a greatly reduced price on the Internet, because it also avoids the state tax. It doesn’t matter whether or not this is legal, because some people will do it in desperate times.

This tax isn’t going to help New York’s economy. It’s going to have smokers cutting their expenses in other areas, or going around the state’s tax. The majority of smokers aren’t going to stop smoking even with the new federal increase. Sure, we are pissed off, but we’re still going to light up and inhale it all down — no matter how much they charge us.


This article was originally published in The Little Rebellion
Photo is courtesy of Flickr user Lionoche

CNN Embraces What Anyone Says is News

While watching CNN a few moments ago, I noticed they are not only using Twitter, but also embracing the reporting of citizen journalism done through Twitter. Come on, CNN and Twitter citizen journalists — somebody please tell me they see this sad connection.

This inspired me to head to their website, where I quickly found iReport. This is basically a glorified public forum that gives validity to a post that anyone can make about anything. Seeing that CNN is using non-journalists to do their job, well, lacks professionalism to their methods.

Sure, people would call a newspaper back-in-the-day and submit “news tips,” but this brings it to a whole new level. Many people will read these citizen reports and take them for the real and truthful news. There is a reason why journalism is a profession — not to get all elitist on you. Would you want a citizen doctor performing surgery on you? I doubt it.

The featured story on CNN’s iReport was about the possibility that Nancy Pelosi might wear a “Snuggie.” This is just sad. This is supposed to be reporting? This is supposed to be journalism? If I wanted to read garbage like this I wouldn’t go to CNN. Maybe they could change their name to CJN (Citizen Journalism News) and just fire all their reporters. That would be a rather trendy idea.

Their slogan for iReport seems to be “Unedited. Unfiltered. News.” This shows how pathetic the site is, ironically. When is something that’s unedited a good thing? Ask any professor and I doubt they will tell you that a student’s unedited paper is a good thing. Oh, and unfiltered, yeah, that is real great. A bunch of junk that doesn’t really matter, like the Snuggie story, becomes the highlight of the page. All of this equates to something that is far from news.

You should probably note the disclaimer on the website:

iReport.com is a user-generated site. That means the stories submitted by users are not edited, fact-checked or screened before they post. Only stories marked "On CNN" have been vetted for use in CNN news coverage.

There is a virus taking over the news industry that makes them feel they need to include the public into their reporting. This is only to help their ratings and revenue stream, though, because people like to see themselves on TV and websites. People will watch a program if they think their MySpace comment could be on CNN. Now, this is a reality. They actually do put your comment on TV. Well, aren’t you special.

Bloggers should stick to blogs and journalists should stick to informing the public. This twisted affair is only going to lead to a frothing-at-the-mouth-news-child that seems to entertain at best.

On The Eve of Hope

Twas the night before the election, when all through the house, emotions were stirring and dreams bounced about. The flyers were hung through the streets with care, in hopes that President Obama would soon be declared.

To many, including me, Barack Obama getting elected would be more than a present; it would be a dream coming true. Also, it would mean one less nightmare constructed by the Republican Party. I don’t know if I can personally take four more years the Bush policies that led us into this recession and war. Tonight I am praying the American people realize just what is at stake. As Dennis Kucinich said, “Wake up America!”

I don’t know how else to put it, but if McCain and Palin get elected to office I would have lost most of my faith in this country. That is of course assuming the Republican Party doesn’t manage to steal the election again. If it truly is legally and honestly decided that the new president will be McCain, I have a lot of grieving to do.

Has our country learned nothing from the past eight years? Do we really want to be in the same position as now, or maybe even worse? Do people really believe McCain is the “maverick” he says he is? Yes, there was a day when McCain was a better politician and stood up to his party. There have been great contributions to this country from McCain, but it is not his time. Not from his voting record for the last eight years. Not from all the attack aids he ran towards Obama. Not from all the lies he has told to hypnotize the masses.

I can’t emphasize enough how badly our country needs change. I have not come to terms yet with how I would feel if Obama does lose the election, but I hope I won't have to. My hopes for this country will literally be shattered right in front of me as McCain smirks for the cameras and Palin laughs at the “gotcha media”. Sit back and think real hard before you strike that vote for McCain.

Obama has shown that he will cross over party lines to reach out. He actually wants to cut taxes for most of us, which is not the same that I can say for McCain. If you vote republican you must know you are voting for tax breaks towards the wealthy. We have not seen the economy flourish according the trickle down theory, so now let’s help the rest of us.

This is your time to make history. This is the stuff dreams are made of. It is time for us to once again make America for the people. The only way we can though is by the people.

Vote for peace. Vote for change. Vote for hope. Vote for truth. Vote for Obama.

A Place To Bury Strangers Unearths New Sound

Still hidden from the mainstream media is a band that completely redefines the way electronica elements and rock can be blended. A Place to Bury Strangers takes psychedelic rock to a whole new level with their first LP. They even opened for Nine Inch Nails’ tour already, which seems an obvious outcome for this band. Though, they can’t really compare to Trent Reznor’s methodically chaotic sound, because their methods stand firm from their inventive roots.

TuneCore, a revolutionary music distribution company, has recognized that A Place to Bury Strangers (APTBS) holds a unique sound. Their self-titled release garnished the award of “Best Rock Album” from TunCore. Slowly, but surely, people seem to take notice of what APTBS has to offer modern rock.

Oliver Ackermann, guitarist and singer, displays his inventive use of guitar pedals. Ackermann founded an effects pedal company, Death By Audio, which specializes in making customized pedals to order. Jonathan "Jono MOFO" Smith, bassist, never overpowers a song with his deep grooves, but gracefully compliments the overall quality. Jay Space, drummer, plays a very electronica style of dream beats that suits the accompanying instrumentation well. This NYC based band completely explodes their sound through a power-trio.

Throughout the album there are songs from various palettes. This creates a very satisfying feel to the album. Each song feels like a progression through the album and creates an encompassing tone quality. There are downtempo beats on some songs, while others have a lively tempo full of fuzz-filled force.



“To Fix The Gash In Your Head” is the first single off the album and it captures a lot of what APTBS encompasses. The techno drumbeat in the beginning leads you in the soundscape of sweeping fuzz driven guitar sound. Once the chorus kicks in, with Ackermann’s lightly echoed vocals, the trance-like state of APTBS is felt. The song sounds aggressive without being overly aggressive in tempo and never really slows down till the sudden stop.

“Ocean” progresses slower, but really shows all the dynamics and potential of APTBS. The steady drum beat is perfectly suited for the song and nothing is overdone in this song. Everything seems to fall sonically into place. With “Ocean” being the longest on the album it is properly placed as the climatic ending.

Some songs do seem a little rough on the edges, such as “Another Step Away,” which just didn’t progress properly and the over-echoed tinny vocals become a little draining. “Don’t Say Lover” also seemed to not have fully blossomed to the final tone it could have reached.

As a whole, the album seems laid out right and doesn’t stretch on for too long. An overall gritty and raw feel is captured, but some of the instrumentation can have a gentle and eerie push. There tends to be a distant dance quality to some of the songs as well, but often the vocal levels should have been raised.

A Place to Bury Strangers truly crafts a unique sound that is best to be heard and not explained. Their album can be purchased from Killer Pimp Records, or can be downloaded from iTunes.