Would you assume I was a smoker JUST BECAUSE I said....
By mommyboo
@mommyboo (13174)
United States
April 3, 2010 8:18pm CST
...that I wasn't willing to sign the initiative about a tax on cigarettes?! Yesterday I was at the store and there were people outside trying to get us to sign 6 initiatives they want to get on the ballot. I looked over the choices and decided I would sign the one for term limits and the one to control governor spending, but I wasn't interested in the one for redistricting, or ESPECIALLY the one for an increased cigarette tax! Are you kidding me? The woman goes 'OH, you must be a smoker since you don't want that one.' I said 'Nope, I'm not. I'm just against ANY new or increased taxes regardless of what it's hitting. I am against cigarette taxes, gas taxes, taxes on beer or wine or anything of that nature, taxes on 'luxury items' since I have and purchase things that might fall in that category.' I cannot believe anybody would be in favor of any more taxes.
Dear Lord, save me from taxes. If you can't, then cause those who support taxes to have small fender benders. 
So.... anybody else think it was messed up for her to ASSUME I MUST BE A SMOKER? Hmmm? I really do stand for the rights of others!!
So.... anybody else think it was messed up for her to ASSUME I MUST BE A SMOKER? Hmmm? I really do stand for the rights of others!!2 people like this
8 responses
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
4 Apr 10
Stupid taxes is what is ruining this country...my belief anyways...
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
5 Apr 10
Heck, here in IL, the gambling boats make enough in revenue to support the entire education system yet the money has been directed elsewhere. More taxes and less to show for it.
My daughter lost her allowance when she refused to stop spending it on crap. She knows how to save but prefers to blow it all so...she lost it. Figure when she gets a job finally, she will learn just how far her money can take her.
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
5 Apr 10
2 bucks on a 4pk of TP? dangggggggggggggggggg.......I can get a 4pk here for under a buck at the dollar store. But then, I'm not in Cali either. LOL
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
5 Apr 10
LOL! My old boss had a 17 year old son, and when she went on a business trip for a couple of days, she told me this story. He was a senior in high school, so he had to get himself up and drive to school - he had a truck and part time job and he also played sports. Anyway, before she left on her trip, she made some dinners for him and put them in the freezer so they'd be easy for him to pop in the oven. She also gave him some cash so he could order pizza and for gas, etc.
While she was gone, he ran out of toilet paper. He checked the pantry and garage and finding no more, he jumped in the truck and went to the store. When he discovered that it cost more than two dollars for a 4 pack of TOILET PAPER, he left the store and went to the neighbor's house and begged a roll of toilet paper.
I don't blame him! She thought it was hilarious. I totally understand why he did what he did. If I were 17 and my mom was going to be gone for 4 days and she left me 50 bucks and frozen dinners, I would be loath to spend more than 2 dollars for a freaking 4 pack of toilet paper.
@stanley777 (9401)
• Philippines
4 Apr 10
not really, you have all the right to do what you want and not have others judge you..and not signing it doesn't mean you're a smoker..you're against all taxes..
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
4 Apr 10
Hey mommyboo! Good for you! And bad for her and how dare she
assume anything! I agree with you totally about taxing anymore
of "those luxury items" too! You don't have to smoke or drink
or drive to not want those taxes increased! They want to increase
the "beverage taxes here", meaning more taxes on sodas, juices
and just everyday soft drinks that any normal family would that
has children! Now that is just a plain outrage! A small bottle
of soda when bought in a store is already charged $1.50 plus
tax and bottle deposit! You can get a larger bottle for less
than that, but when you're thirsty and you just want to stop
into the nearest market/gas station/pharmacy that is what we
pay now! How much more absurd can the government make it for
families who are already strapped for cash when they go grocery
shopping to add more on to the bottle deposits and taxes that
already go with the beverages of their choice! I wouldn't have
signed the damn petition either, just because...
@momtrying2makeit (3270)
• United States
4 Apr 10
Well I agree with you mommyboo. We have taxes so high on some of these items that you mentioned it is bullcrap. I do smoke and I think almost hafl the pack is for taxes I mean come on! I know smoking is bad but why would you rasie the prices so high like that. I know a lot of people that roll their own now which I tried to do but felt I could not get a smoke that tastes the same as mine. I think I am going to try and quit real soon because I cannot afford these things anymore. Nice post and Happy Easter to you. 
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
5 Apr 10
Thanks I posted another discussion where I mentioned e-cigs, I'm not sure if those are any cheaper than regular cigs but one good thing about those is that they don't emit any smoke, so you can actually smoke indoors lol. There are also other ways to get nicotine where there is no smoke or cig involved at all...
I'm sure some evil 'non smoker' is going to come upon me soon and call me wrong for pointing out there are other ways to smoke without smoking, but I exist to help educate people! LOL! If I can help you find an alternative AND save a buck, I am happy!
I posted another discussion where I mentioned e-cigs, I'm not sure if those are any cheaper than regular cigs but one good thing about those is that they don't emit any smoke, so you can actually smoke indoors lol. There are also other ways to get nicotine where there is no smoke or cig involved at all...
I'm sure some evil 'non smoker' is going to come upon me soon and call me wrong for pointing out there are other ways to smoke without smoking, but I exist to help educate people! LOL! If I can help you find an alternative AND save a buck, I am happy!
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
4 Apr 10
I personally wouldn't, and most people I know would. So I don't think she is messed up, just makes assumptions based on circumstantial evidence, as do most people. I am not a smoker, I am not opposed to tax increases if I know where the extra money is going and am in favor of that expenditure, I am however against the concept of restricting peoples rights and agency, which laws such as that tend to become over time. Their are better and worse ways to "stop" people from smoking if that is what they truly want to do, but if that is what they truly wanted to do, they would simply make it a criminal offense to be in possession thereof, and encourage prosecution. Of course, that would not work on everyone, nothing works on everyone.
When you live in a nation founded on Freedom, it often brings one to wonder why people are prosecuted for their believes.
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
5 Apr 10
I still think it was quite a jump for someone to make to assume I was a smoker just because I am against a tax on cigs. See, I have to protect my right to BECOME a smoker if I so wish and I can tell you right now, I am not going to pay any extra tax on anything if there is a way around it. If there's no way around it, I will continue to buy what I want even if the government tries to make it harder, but that's just me. I'm one of those people restrictions don't work well on. Try and restrict me, well I'll show you, and I'll rub it in your face too.
See, I don't think the government really wants to stop people from smoking, any more than it wants to stop people from drinking. If there is money to be made, in one form or another, the government is in favor of it. That is actually why this government needs to be cut down to bare bones and paid a lot less, and there needs to be legislation in place which prevents them from spending money or trying to get any more than WE have decided they need to accomplish what WE want them to.
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
5 Apr 10
I totally understand where you are coming from. You are a very direct person. You speak your mind and that is great. I bet it is hard for you to try to see as the other person sees though, understand where they are coming from and why they do what do.
It is a difficult road, understanding, but a worth while effort, when you understand people, it is easier to mold them to what they should be.
Put, Wal Mart in charge of your government, and it will be profiting inside of a week...our government is the same way.
With appreciation.
heh - an acquaintance of mine tried to convince me that the odor on my clothes (over a decade ago when I was smoking) qualified as second hand smoke.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
4 Apr 10
People love to make assumptions like that. I don't think churches should be forced to host gay weddings or marry gay couples as it violates their religious freedom. As a result people constantly assume I'm against gay marriage. I've even been called a bigot here on mylot. I've also stated that I feel parents have the right to say if their elementary school children should be taught about homosexual activity. Supporting the rights of parents to have a say in their children's education has also gotten me called a bigot and anti-gay.
I wonder if people ever say "If you support gay marriage you must be gay!"
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
4 Apr 10
I guess in that woman's mind it's okay to tax the he11 out of something she doesn't use but one day it could be something she does use. Since her mind is so closed to the possibilities I'm not surprised that she assumed that you were a smoker. Why else wouldn't you support a tax on us evil, nasty smokers? 
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
5 Apr 10
I just don't support extra taxes at all. I am starting to realize the reason gas costs so much is because of how much it is taxed, probably the same thing with many other items/products.
Is it really that odd that someone who doesn't engage in a certain behavior would still be on the side of those who do?? I guess that's why I was so shocked about what she assumed. Peoples' attitudes are terrible.
