Presenting for your illogical taxation amusement:

Loose tobacco taxation:

Based on the “future-cigarette” theory. A Future Cigarette is a cigarette that’s not-yet-made but it’s tax is already paid.

If the Future Cigarette is ever made, it will be made by a manufacturer who worked for nothing and received no benefit.

Future Cigarettes necessarily weigh an exact and predetermined amount or the tax (which is already paid) will be incorrect and illegal.

Future Cigarettes are 50% tax but aren’t half as dangerous.

HR 2454/2998 is an alleged “Green Energy” bill, so titled to mask the reality of it’s consequences and illicit casual support;  “if it’s “Green” it has to be good”, who wouldn’t want to support Green energy “for the Earth”?”.  Much like the misleading and tiresome “for the children” campaigns (unless they’re unborn of course).  The bill is supposed to promote alternate energy sources while reducing pollutants and increase the costs of existing energy supplies, such as coal and gas.  One major benefit of HR 2454/2998; the reduction of the earths temperature by .2 degrees (yes, 2/10’s of one degree), by the year 2099…..difficult to hold a straight face when announcing this lofty goal, I would think.

Some of the realities will be an increase at the pump of 77 cents for gas and 88 cents for diesel, permanent increases not related to the price of oil.  Our energy bills will double and triple and the price of consumables will increase in relation as always.  This is only the tip of the negative consequences, experts agree that the end result will cost the average American from $1,600.00 to $4,100.00 per year.  The GDP will “necessarily” be reduced (reduction of domestically produced goods).  Job loss will be one of the worst effects of HR 2454/2998, estimated in the millions to add to our flailing economy.  With a 10% jobless rate (some experts predict it’s over 20%), the economies functioning will be impaired even further with yet more unemployed.

HR 2454/2998 is not in our best interests, it is not an effective environmental solution and will tax an already overtaxed and hurting economy with absolutely no short term benefit, and no real long term benefit.  Aside from the points brought up in the “public show” on CSPAN, and the alleged “brave fight” the republicans put up with (yet with no filibuster!), what else is hidden in the 1,500 page bill?  According to experts, multiple new laws assaulting our rights will be enacted such as unannounced “green home inspections”, diverse penalties for homeowners and businesses alike who won’t or cannot conform to ever increasing “green regulations”.  We are made of carbon, we are carbon life forms and this bill’s goal is to tax carbon!  Regardless of whether one believes the ludicracy of Global Warming or not, HR 2454/2998 will do nothing to decrease it, it simply can’t.

HR 2454/2998 is likely going to be the largest tax in American history. This bill is an assault to our intelligence, pocketbooks and our freedoms.  Why is the large portion of this bill secret?  Why are the Reps themselves not privy to the whole document and blindly voting?   There are real issues that require honest and thoughtful attention, we cannot afford to waste our resources tilting at windmills.  I understand that Mar’s polar caps are receding as well, why not fund another govt supported special interest group to come up with a plan to fix that, at our expense of course. The fish are bitin, might as well reel us all in!

This 32 Billion dollar one being pushed through by an overpowering Democratic House for the sake of their “Global Warming” programming. It’s almost unbelievable but it looks like we’ll be assaulted by these treacherous bills continuously over the next 4 years. Who are they kidding, 2/10’s of one percent, millions of lost jobs, 77 and 88 cent gas and diesel increases and an average cost per capita of $2,000? Didn’t they say no new taxes on the middle class? The smirking democratic Reps are just icing on this cake, not to mention the 8 republicans that voted for this BS!  The American people are the punchline.

Republicans who supported this bill: Bono Mack, Castle, Kirk, Lance, LoBiando, McHugh, Reichert and Smith (NJ).

Here’s an easy to use reference showing the current federal tax on assorted commercial tobacco products, the new S-CHIP effects, and the overall percentage increase.  The chart helps illustrate the unbalanced taxation schedule for various tobacco products.  A quick study will show the discrepency between one form of tobacco and all the rest as being singularily picked for an exhorbitant and especially brutal tax.  The RYO tax increase shown is NOT AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE NOR A TYPO!

Exactly why the RYO tobacco industry and it’s consumers are expected to bear the brunt of the S-CHIP’s proposed tax increase has yet to be made clear.  Several RYO manufacturers have already announced their intentions to close effective March 31st,  2009.  How any remaining companies plan to bear such a dramatic and uneven tax is a mystery.  The secretive way in which the bill was passed and it’s effects ingnored by the media leaves many RYO users in the dark.  Many won’t realize the effects of the bill until April 1st when attempting to purchase tobacco.

SCHIP Tobacco Tax Rate Increases | RYO Revolution

The S-CHIP revision is by far the largest tax increase in written history on a single product.  A product that’s consumers happens to be a much maligned minority of late;  the smoker.  Tobacco tax is slated to go up across the board with cigars increasing at about 60 cents a stick, loose pipe tobacco up around $3 per lb and packaged cigarettes up the least at 60 cents a pack.   The RYO loose tobacco tax, or Roll-Your-Own cigarette loose tobacco increases from just over $1 per lb to a whopping $24 per lb!  This on the poorest of the poor and variously challenged smokers.  Cigarettes will be out of reach for the homeless, poverty stricken, laid off, retired and mentally ill across the nation.  A pack of home-mades will shoot to brand name levels regardless of  the time, equipment and efforts expended by these do-it-yourselfers.  The RYO market generates less than one half of one percent (0.5%) of the of the total tobacco revenues accrued in the US each year.  The brunt of the tax being placed on the shoulders of the destitute, unemployed, misfit, handicapped, injured, laid off and retired is obscene.  In the end, the tax on the final product will constitute  80% of the retail cost!   That’s no misprint neither, no single product in the history of the United States has been taxed anywhere close to this.   One would be hard pressed to find any taxation equivalent in the entire history of the civilized world.

A segment in RYO also exists that do keep up with the Jone’s and smoke RYO for reasons other than economics.  This group chooses an all natural,  100% tobacco product as opposed to the 50% common to the prepackaged cigarette industry.  These RYOers don’t want the additional, unknown long term health implications caused by the chemical cocktail called a cigarette in the commercial cigarette industry.   They also don’t care for the forced ingestion of the unknown toxins replete in  the FSC* mandated packaged cigarette papers.   When much of the RYO industry is forced to close doors due to the overwhelming tax increases, not only will it’s patrons suffer a smaller selection but risk losing their choice in it’s entirety.   This will likely end up legislating an entire class to return to a product no longer fit for human consumption.

The RYO industry itself is being put in jeopardy in a two step manner.  The increased price of tobacco will cause much of the allure of roll-it-yourself to disintegrate losing both it’s veterans and significantly decreasing any new customer base.   The final killer to many of the retailers is the Floor tax where the tax of $24.78 per lb on any existing stock as of 04/01/09 becomes immediately due. This Floor Tax could well end up being the demise of the entire industry while Big Tobacco ironically gets it’s wish.  The RYO industry is a much different animal than the Big Players whose huge factories billow smoke 24/7 and suit and lab coat adorned staff conducting experiments within.  In RYO there’s the farmers for supply, small businesses all along the line for distribution, packaging and redistribution to Mom and Pop shops and neighborhood tobacconists for final sale.  All down the line jobs will be lost and compromised with thousand losing work and savings,  risking their families well being and future.   Big Tobacco will come out nicely with a modest price increase and a drove of ex-RYOers falling back into line to buy their chemical laden, fire safe doses once again.

Exactly what the government is thinking is perplexing at first glance.  The smallest and weakest effectively being killed off by our government who will then ironically bolster the most checkered industry in the US,  operating lawfully by a slim and questionable margin.  The real affront is to the sick, unemployed, laid off and retired who will no longer be able to afford one of the few luxuries they still endear.  Many do not realize that tobacco is not just a simple luxury  but a necessity in which once-naive youngsters, fell victim to an immorally marketed yet legal addiction they either cannot or will not break.  The fact that these self righteous take comfort in a victory targeted at the poorest and the weakest while those who can afford the extra 60 cent spanking might even share in the benefits is testament in itself.

Snorting powdered tobacco, or more commonly, snuffing and sniffing, can be quite pleasurable and satisfying when performed correctly.  The degree of satisfaction will differ greatly between individuals as the quality of an individuals technique will vary greatly.   Many new snuffers have the misconception that snuff is less efficient than some other smoking alternatives like Snus and chewing tobacco.  However, some snuffers tested clinically achieved higher blood serum levels of nicotine than both snussers and cigarette smokers alike.  Snuff makes for an excellent NRT in those who are able to master the skill and a frustrating one for those who haven’t.

Before snuffing can become a total replacement the cigarette smoker needs some patience and practice in order to receive an adequate supply of nicotine.  The casual toffeenose who isn’t addicted to cigarettes or chew generally has a relatively low addiction and doesn’t need the copious amounts of nicotine smokers require.  Many snuff makers concentrate on flavor and ease of use to satisfy this longtime clientele.   The burgeoning popularity of smoke-free tobacco alternatives has smokers looking for an instant replacement and are often frustrated with some of these more popular products.

While finding a strong Snuff is an important step for those interested in giving this old habit a try, mastery of the “art of snuffing” is first and foremost.  Snuff is not simply snorted as any powdered tobacco getting into the nasal cavity itself will be met with searing pain that unfortunately has newbies quickly opting for another NRT.  Snuff is sniffed, lightly at first until the newbie feels confident and progresses to gradually increase the dose.  Beginner Snuff products, while being fairly low in nicotine, will teach the new snuffer the correct form without much risk of a painful and premature end to their new hobby.  These moist and highly flavored snuffs are also a pleasure to use and many an experienced snuffer will still keep them in daily rotation.

Once mastered, the new snuffer will have hundreds of choices of flavors, grinds and moisture levels to choose from.  Snuff has the largest array of products of any tobacco product and experimentation is part of the fun.  The cost of snuffing is another plus and is a fraction of any other tobacco product.   The heaviest of snuffers would have a hard time sniffing more than a couple dollars worth a day and most spend even less than that.    It goes without saying tobacco Nazi’s will jump all over this too, spreading  misinformation and confusing oral tobacco studies with snuff.  It’s highly doubtful the low tax rate currently enjoyed by snuffers will go unpunished once it becomes popular and profitable.  Ironically, the 80 some year old tradition of keeping a filled Snuffbox in our Senate exists to this day.

Some great snuff resources:

Snuffhouse forum

Snufftalk info and forum

Snuffbox info site

Tobacco’s revenues rival some of the most powerful resources in our world’s economies.  Tobacco’s power and appeal both lie in the simple fact that it contains one the most addictive drugs known to man; nicotine.  Appealing to the addict for obvious reasons but even more so to the legislators. This gives the abusers of tobacco an unique power to be sure; legislation.   Addiction allows inequitable legislation to be passed, taxes to be levied in the most unscrupulous of manners otherwise unimaginable by today’s enlightened.  Taxing the poor and the weak; the minorities,  and doing it with the support and plaudits garnered through vilification.

Recently, PACT,  a most powerful tobacco control bill fell to the House for approval.  The House overwhelmingly passed the bill which now goes to Senate and eventually empower the government to gain yet more control over the sale of this most powerful of weeds.   While this bill certainly might have some good measure to it, the auspice that terrorists are using counterfeit cigarettes to fund their mischief is a bit much to swallow considering the availability of illicit drugs with exponential profitability.  The addition of the prohibition of mail order loose tobacco for (DIY/RYO cigarettes) though is the curious part of this bill.

In order for this to happen, , the Jenkins act of 1949 which allows for the state to state sale of tobaccos for personal use through the mail,  will need to be amended.  This manipulation of this decades old Jenkins Act  screams of yet another instance of gaining control for taxation and control purposes.  Taxation of the poorest of the poor, the DIY smokers.   All this is palatable and even admirable due to the vilification of tobacco by the very abusers who stand to profit.

It’s cool though because smokers stink and if they have to manipulate the tax system like this it’s best to keep it to people like that.   None of this is gonna affect most people and it might even reduce SHS.

I have no desire in breeding O’J. the Bull a.k.a. Sweetness with any other than pure bred English Bull Terriers for pet and show purposes. O.J. as he will be know henceforth, is a two and a half year old, at the time of this writing, brindled English Bull Terrier, referred to hereon as EBT. O.J. is fairly large for his breed but not atypical at about 80lbs. His father was a little larger at a bit over 90 so big runs in the family. His father was also a class winning show dog which I have no interest in whatsoever save for occasionally watching on the tube. O.J. is quite the character as any EBT fans know and a handful of a dog to say the least!

I was first introduced to this breed when doing an outside job in Columbia Md. There I came across a rather large white Bull that was tied to one of the neighbors house of the people we were working for. My partner thought I was crazy to go pet the tethered beast but his demeanor and approachability were unmistakable, this dog was bored and wanted to be petted! I was a bit leery but the dogs intentions were clear, he just needed a break and was happy he finally got our attention after a couple hours of barking, whining and good natured growling.

Upon coming close to him I was impressed that such an obviously powerful dog, that could have easily broken his chain, had done very little thrashing or complaining. More impressed with his rock solid stability when my hand went to touch him for the first time, inspiring calm to go ahead with it. This breed could very well cause quite a bit of damage if provoked and his friendliness impressed upon me how well he was taking his unfortunate circumstance. I’ve always been apprehensive when approaching a caged or tethered animal, and for good reason. This dog didn’t bat an eye and allowed fairly personal inspection showing me that he knew full well he had little to fear, even if it had turned out I had malicious intentions. I went away knowing that one of this breed would grace me with his or her companionship.

That was about 10 years ago or so but I never forgot the rock solid demeanor and friendly intelligence this fellow showed me which led to get my own. It took me some time to acquire my beast as having had a Doberman at the time who only recently passed on. These breeds are often best handled as an only pet, or that’s been my experience anyways. While this breed isn’t the most common and I rarely see them in and around Maryland, they are very much worth the effort and cost and have grown to become one of my favorite animals.