Non-drinking smokers should get a kick out of this

Am glad I only rent my beer.

expect to see more of this sort of thing. Eventually government is gonna tax something that the smoking nazis use tho...THEN we'll see some interesting results.

This of course assumes that smoking nazis even HAVE a hobby or means of relaxation.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Oh wait, I don't live there.

2 things:

1) I used to work in California politics, and I'm not farking suprised somebody in the assembly would propose such a retarded law.

2) I predicted this shiat a while back. When I rallied against the SCHIP tax and it's huge increase on cigar taxes, some people called me an asshole. But then I pointed out that beer taxes would be next. Whether you enjoy alcohol, tobacco, or both, we need to stick together.

I have an idea...how about raising the tax on stupid farking politicians? Every time an idiot politician proposes something stupid, the people get to vote on it. If 60% of the population decides that it was stupid, the politician has to forfeit his or her pay for that entire month.

I think I can end the budget crisis.

Better things to tax:

Estates
Excessive income
Corporate Profits
Gas
Defense Contractors

So that's $7.20 for a case? Hmm..that's a pretty big tax. That's going to be a 50% price hike for some beers.

This guy completely sounds like one of those AA assholes who think because they overcame their weakness it's their job to force everyone else to. Great, we're very happy you're sober. Now would you shut your enormous pie-hole and leave us alone?

RandomExcess: Better things to tax:

Estates
Excessive income
Corporate Profits
Gas
Defense Contractors

Why do you hate America?

/i keed, i keed

So will this result in free health care?

Taxes are huge on beer and smokes in Canada, because that money goes towards health care.

They call them "sin taxes".

Stupid idea no matter how you look at it, particularly with cigarettes. It's a senseless circle of perpetual insane motion.

Just try and get a product approved for retail sale today with the amount of poison cigarettes have, and the long-term nasty health problems they cause, and you'd be thrown into Gitmo with no hope of parole.

RussianPooper: This guy completely sounds like one of those AA assholes who think because they overcame their weakness it's their job to force everyone else to. Great, we're very happy you're sober. Now would you shut your enormous pie-hole and leave us alone?

I am totally not cheesing my farking balls off right now... and NEITHER SHOULD YOU!

The_Sponge:
2) I predicted this shiat a while back. When I rallied against the SCHIP tax and it's huge increase on cigar taxes, some people called me an asshole. But then I pointed out that beer taxes would be next. Whether you enjoy alcohol, tobacco, or both, we need to stick together.

I expect to see an increased tax on junk food as well. And if we actually fark up and vote in universal health care, expect to see all sorts of things get extra taxes - sky diving, boating, car racing...any sort of 'extreme' sport will be regulated to 'reduce cost' and 'manage risk'.

Go on. Laugh. But you'll be crying into your soy milk when i'm proven correct.

Weaver95: soy milk

Soy JUICE. Soy can't make milk. So keep it the f*ck out of the aisle with my moo-cow f*ck milk.

/Lewis Black ftw

Ron Paul Revere
Estates

Already taxed income. That is the true essence of robbing Peter to pay Paul (and I support progressive taxation).


That is an outright lie and you know it. SHAME ON YOU. The vast majority of the estate value is capital gains. And that value has never been taxed.

Taxes on estates is the ONLY way to collect the capital gains tax on estates.

SHAMEFUL LIAR...

RandomExcess: Better things to tax:

Estates
Excessive income
Corporate Profits
Gas
Defense Contractors

All of those are already taxed in CA, most quite heavily. The state's primary problem is spending, i.e. the people allocating it have no farking clue waht they're doing. Income is fine, as Schwarzenegger demonstrated by putting the budget back in the black in like 0.5 seconds (until people figured out what he was doing and started working at ways of getting around the responsibility thing).

RandomExcess: That is an outright lie and you know it. SHAME ON YOU. The vast majority of the estate value is capital gains. And that value has never been taxed.

So the previous owner never paid taxes on all that money used to buy the land, build the business (or whatever)? Methinks there is a lie here, but you pointed the finger the wrong direction....

Taxes on estates is the ONLY way to collect the capital gains tax on estates...

well there's always the traditional way - just round up the rich old bastards, shoot 'em dead/rape the kiddes/shoot THEM dead and then 'collectivize' the property 'for the revolution'.

At least with your way you only destroy the economy and impoverish families while taking away their means of earning a living. Which is moderately more humane. At least they get to starve slowly to death in the streets with everyone else, right? so there's that.

Um, wow. Is this dipshiat trying to destroy beer sales? I know I personally would stick to liquor and wine if I had to pay $8 more for a case of beer that cost $15-20 to begin with.

Ron Paul Revere: As to property/investments, they should be taxed only when the gains are actually realized (when they're sold), not when they're transferred from a parent to a child.

Ah, but to your hard core commie....er, socialist...that's a sin against marx! they'll fight that sort of thing tooth and claw.

El_Dan: Um, wow. Is this dipshiat trying to destroy beer sales? I know I personally would stick to liquor and wine if I had to pay $8 more for a case of beer that cost $15-20 to begin with.

I think you'd see a lot of independant neighborhood microbrew operations starting up.

As to property/investments, they should be taxed only when the gains are actually realized (when they're sold), not when they're transferred from a parent to a child.

That is where you are wrong. Any transfer: sale, gift, donation, child... whatever. Capital gains must be taxed at the time of ANY transfer.

Weaver95: I think you'd see a lot of independant neighborhood microbrew operations starting up.

Likely not.

The operating costs would be the same. That extra money you'd need to charge isn't profit. You have to give that tax you charge to the weasels.

In fact you'd likely have to employ some kind of accounting specialist to make sure you didn't piss off the tax-gathering weasels ... so there's an added cost.

festus: Weaver95: I think you'd see a lot of independant neighborhood microbrew operations starting up.

Likely not.

The operating costs would be the same. That extra money you'd need to charge isn't profit. You have to give that tax you charge to the weasels.

In fact you'd likely have to employ some kind of accounting specialist to make sure you didn't piss off the tax-gathering weasels ... so there's an added cost.

you assume i'd be telling the government about my little operation....

Weaver95: you assume i'd be telling the government about my little operation....

This is exactly how I think. Sadly, it has been known to get me into trouble with said weasels in the past.

So, do you need an on-site beer taster?

I work cheap. Just all the beer I can drink, plus a cot in the back to crash on.

This tax is another example of the government trying to impose morality on its citizens. This tax is also a passive attempt at limiting the freedom of the great citizens of California. With the recent passing of the 75th anniversary of the 21st amendment one would think that it would serve as a reminder to the assembly of what happened the last time morality was imposed on alcohol sales. This law will have the same effect, increasing the sales of illegal drugs, which will become cheaper than beer. As a concerned citizen of California I urge you to vote no on Assemblyman Jim Beall's recent beer tax proposal.

/My letter to Assembly Member Loni Hancock
//Where you can find yours and email Link (new window)
///You are welcome to copy my text

I don't object to higher taxes on beer as it is, after all, a luxury. But I disagree with the reasoning:

"The people who use alcohol should pay for part of the cost to society, just like we've accepted that concept with tobacco," Beall said."

Apples and oranges. Tobacco is bad for you in any way, shape, or form. But alcohol, in moderation, is actually healthful.

blondiegrrl007: Apples and oranges. Tobacco is bad for you in any way, shape, or form. But alcohol, in moderation, is actually healthful.

Taken in moderation, so is tobacco. So is cannabis for that matter.

But we all know that modern day prohibition isn't about scientific fact....it's about fear, control and money.

Weaver95: festus: Weaver95: I think you'd see a lot of independant neighborhood microbrew operations starting up.

Likely not.

The operating costs would be the same. That extra money you'd need to charge isn't profit. You have to give that tax you charge to the weasels.

In fact you'd likely have to employ some kind of accounting specialist to make sure you didn't piss off the tax-gathering weasels ... so there's an added cost.

you assume i'd be telling the government about my little operation....

Indeed.

Thinking a bit more about this, I don't think the added tax would even help the government. When you raise taxes on a product with elastic demand, sales volume decreases. Huge tax increases, such as the one proposed by the state legislator here, decrease sales volume to the point where total revenue is likely lower than it would be with a lower tax and higher sales.

So the legislator fails at math, too, in addition to being a horrible person.

Why is this only on beer? Is it because California only produces whine?

They should start with taxing the hard stuff first, obviously.

I don't think demand for any of these products is going to be changed much by taxes, if all the other taxes we Californians pay are any example. People pay through the nose for plastic bottles, cigarettes and gasoline. They won't even notice, most of 'em.

I now present, from www.jimbeall.com, the entirety of the web page titled "Issues."



"This page is currently being developed."

This law will never pass.

It will need a 2/3 majority in both houses or a public referendum to pass.

/cancel outrage.

BilltheThrill: This law will never pass.

It will need a 2/3 majority in both houses or a public referendum to pass.

/cancel outrage.


Maybe not this time...but it could happen within the next 5 years or so.

With the way California has over-taxed and over-regulated so many businesses, it has become the economic development agency for Nevada and Arizona.

Translation: We can't budget our money very well. We will need you to pay us more so we can squander that too.

I wonder what the political persuasion is of the legislator who thinks that is a good idea?

He is pushing legislation that would require the sweet alcoholic malt beverages known as "alcopops" to include warning labels clearly stating that they contain alcohol.


They need a label that says "This will make you ghey."

(I keed, I keed.)


But the freshman lawmaker will have to lift the legislative equivalent of a full keg of beer over his head to get his tax enacted.


Freshmen in high school and college tend to be annoying little twerps, so why should legislators be any different?

it seems like Government is always asking for more money but have not demonstrated the ability to spend it correctly.

Government is like Star Wars Phantom Menace.

This sucks. I think they should just do what John Campbell is proposing.

Washington, Apr 11 -
The Tax Me More Act
April 11, 2008; Page A16

We recently suggested that if Bill and Hillary Clinton are eager to pay more taxes, they should write a personal check to the U.S. Treasury to compensate for the lower tax rates they so frequently decry. And lo, here comes legislation to make it easier for the former first lady and other pseudo-populists to do just that.

California Republican John Campbell yesterday introduced in the House his "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Act," which would amend the tax code to allow individuals to make voluntary donations to the federal government above their normal tax liability. The bill would place a new line on IRS tax forms to make this easy.

Mr. Campbell says he has heard the "cries" of those wealthy Americans - Mrs. Clinton, Warren Buffett, Barbra Streisand - who reject the lower tax rates passed in 2001 and 2003 and complain that they and their fellow rich don't pay enough. "It's a great injustice that citizens wishing to fulfill their dream of paying more taxes cannot simply check a box on their 1040 form to make a donation," he says. His bill would give liberals a chance to salve their consciences without having to raise taxes on millions of Americans who already feel overtaxed as it is.

Still, don't expect many to take Mr. Campbell up on his offer. The Treasury already accepts voluntary donations to decrease the nation's debt; last year it received all of $2.6 million. Apparently even most liberals would rather keep their money, or bequeath their estates to charity rather than to the IRS.

The_Sponge: we need to stick together.

or we'll hang have the shiat taxed out of us seperately?

Mayhem of the Black Underclass: The_Sponge: we need to stick together.

or we'll hang have the shiat taxed out of us seperately?


Exactly.

I don't smoke cigarettes or drink wine coolers, but if additional taxes are proposed on those items, I would be against that as well.

It's just another tax on the middle and lower class. Rich people don't buy beer. Not regular beer, at least. Why not put a big-ass tax on wine? Let's see that get through these elitist scumfarks.

good thing I don't live in california, otherwise I would have to turn libertarian were this to pass.

/tall dark russian soothes
//ayn rand sucks

Yes - better yet, tax the shiat out of plain old water, too. Since a 1/4 of the state is a freaking' DESERT, the eco-weenies in Berkley and the like shouldn't mind coughing up for the new "water-use-in-the-desert" offset tax.

I_Love_Verdi: libertarian
//ayn rand sucks

Not all libertarians are Randroids.

Check out Free Talk Live (new window)
These two libertarians have a 6 days a week radio show/podcast and they don't sound like objectivists at all. (OK so one's an anarchist and the other's a Republican Liberty Caucus member, but I think those both amount to the same position.)

Remove all Republicans: 014789: The Treasury already accepts voluntary donations to decrease the nation's debt; last year it received all of $2.6 million. Apparently even most liberals would rather keep their money, or bequeath their estates to charity rather than to the IRS.

Therein lies the problem. The Republicans caused this mess and as always they want the Democrats to fix it for them. That is why the rich should be paying for this; their rich friends in the Republican party caused this mess in the first place.

youre an idiot arent you? it doesnt matter who is president or who screwed what up, liberals ALWAYS want a tax increase

ActualFarkal: It's just another tax on the middle and lower class. Rich people don't buy beer. Not regular beer, at least. Why not put a big-ass tax on wine? Let's see that get through these elitist scumfarks.

i heard the libs up in minnesota did the same thing. taxed the middle and lower class with a gas tax increase along with a sales tax increase. but its the republicans who tax the poor and give breaks to the rich

Remove all Republicans: 014789: youre an idiot arent you? it doesnt matter who is president or who screwed what up, liberals ALWAYS want a tax increase

And Republicans always to increase spending without taking responsibility for it. Guess who should pay for it?

thats a separate issue

Why not tax wine too?

generaltimmy: Why not tax wine too?

the wine lobby has a lot of money

You maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, Damn you! God damn you all to hell!

C'mon folks, read the articles. Spirits and wine ARE already being taxed. That said, this will not pass. The guy is trying to make headlines for himself, and to his dismay, he is doing exactly that. He will pay dearly for this politically.
Estate taxes are also horribly misguided. Someone works all of their life saving for their kids and grandkids and in steps the government saying they should get their cut (again). Suck it politicians...not yours....in the mattress and gold will take care of that little equation.
Living in the Bay Area, I have not heard of this guy. But I do plan on helping him get his message across....posting his statements and goals in all of the clubs, bars, beer establishments that I come across. He will pay....
And Weaver.....for my next batch of beer that I make, would you like Pale ale or lager? Season is better for ale, but since I've come to respect you much more than 2 years ago, first beers on me. And the others who offered to be tasters, if you are near the Bay Area, shoot me a note and come collect. Peace, beer and music