" superfluousm, what you speak of is socialism. You are punishing those that are successful by redistributing what they or their family has worked for. If you give the government license to tax, then you give them the license to spend. This we cannot afford. In regards to global warming, ice core samples taken by NASA over the last twenty years demonstrate the fallacy of this argument. These core samples indicate that over 2,000 years ago, the CO2 content of the atmosphere was HIGHER than it is now. Unless someone unearths a diesel camel hauler in the desert, I don't think these levels were caused by fossil fuels. Back to the gas tax. You do realize that there is a direct correlation between higher gas prices and a struggling economy. A stimulated economy requires disposable income. High gas prices reduces this income to zero. "

" Now that gas prices are down, I suggest we start taxing gasoline and give the money back to the middle class in the form of an economic stimulus check. This would accomplish several things.

1. It would allow our citizens to get used to paying higher prices for foreign oil and allow us to have an incentive to buy smaller cars so that we wouldn't be sending so much money overseas.

2. It would not cost the average American anything. People like Richard Mellon Scaife, who gets an income from a trust he inherited, which amounts to 600 million dollars per month. yes, you read that right. He gets 600 million a month on income from a trust which must be worth multiple billions of dollars. It is people like him who are so thankful that George Bush lowered taxes for the very rich. People like him would not get the gas tax rebate. Of course, he's a Republican.

3. It would encourage the nation to develop alternative energies. Battery technology and wind and solar technologies are advancing so rapidly that we must develop these resources so can wean ourselves off foreign oil.

4. If the oil companies raise prices again, we could just eliminate the tax at the pump and tax the oil companies for windfall profits that would be used to develop alternative energy.

5. And I hate to bring this one up because most people don't realize that 98% of the scientists in the world agree that global warming is caused by man's burning of fossil fuels (as well as some of his other activities, like raising so many cows and pigs who contribute methane to the environment.
We've got to tackle this global warming problem.

Cigarettes are a minor problem. If people want to kill themselves, don't tax them for the privilege. Enough will die so that the reduced social security will help keep the Social Security trust fund balanced, benefiting us all, except for those who smoke. (snarky comment and meant to be)

5. Everyone should read Naomi Klein's book: The Shock Doctrine - The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. This book changed my thinking about the world forever and I can't help but mention it. "

" The government is too big. Taxing cigarettes sets a precident for taxing other things. I think the government should butt out. "

" Years ago many more people smoked than today yet today with fewer smokers there is more cancer. Could it be the food possibly?? If so than we need to tax and tax the food. "

" Don't just tax tobacco products,tax beer,wine,and spirits at the same rate as tobacco.Then see who cries! Beer,wine,and spirits through misuse and overindulgence costs tens of thousands of dollars each year in injuries, deaths, divorces, and property damages each year.

In fact, these items only has only one saving grace. They help pay the salaries of lawyers. "

" I totally agree with the premise of the idea however, currently the cost of cigarettes are the tax's. And speaking of wasting a ton of money can anyone explain whatever happened to the biggest lawsuit that was ever won in the history of mankind against the tobacco industry. What did the states do with the billions that were given to them? Why does everyone just need to keep wanting and needing more and more. How many more programs do we need to convince people that smoking is not good for you? And why is it your responsibility to educate and change them, and by the way I am a non-smoker and don't won't to be around them either but I think they also have rights and agree with confisus_sum, someday, and that day is right around the corner when you will be dictating what and when I eat and drink. People forgot quickly that the healthiest nation at one time was Nazi Germany....they dictated everything also, what you ate, drank and forbid smoking...so, let's all go back to those good old days. "

" I find this argument quite interesting. Organizations call for the punitive taxing of individuals because they are feeling punished by having to support their health care costs. Yet these same organizations push for universal health care. How long after implementation before organizations are calling for taxes on certain high fat foods? Or maybe salt? How about a tax on sugar? To declare a right to healthcare indicates that someone must take responsibility for paying for it. Any guess who that may be? "