Reply #6: Why? [View All]

[Shorebound]

"I see taxes on businesses being proposed and cigarette taxes going up. Why should I care?"

Because when business expenses rise, the prices they charge for their goods and services rise. There's not some magic bank account that business owners dip into to pay for new taxes and fees. They have to pass the costs along to their customers -- you and me. IIRC the plan includes tax increases on beer, too! Will they stop at nothing? :) Plus soda, snacks, and wine.

As for what you pay for health insurance, there are a lot of reasons why Mainers pay more than almost every other state, starting with guaranteed issue and community ratings, hospital costs, drug fees, etc.

And I'm wondering about the TABOR connection too, unless the original poster is trying to say that TABOR would have blocked the proposed tax increases. Perhaps s/he could explain?