Cigarette Tax: Money Grab

I agree with almost everything in George Skelton’s column about the proposed tax on cigarettes (Aug. 15). It is a hypocritical money grab by Democrats who are targeting a behavior that many don’t like and even those who do have a hard time defending. If the tax has the claimed desired effect of curbing smoking, it will cease to be a viable revenue source. What politically incorrect behavior will be the next target of Sacramento’s insatiable appetite for tax dollars? Alcohol is the next obvious target, but when that dries up what perceived vice of yours will be next?

Where I part from Skelton is in his attempt to paint poor people, particularly Latinos and blacks, as the unintended disproportionately affected victims of the tax. Smoking is an option. For someone earning $20,000 a year it’s a luxury. Skeleton’s description of poor Latinos in old shoes buying lottery tickets and cigarettes speaks more to their poor decision-making and lack of personal responsibility than to any unfairness on the part of legislators.

Kevin G. Nelson

Ontario

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California’s budget problem could be easily solved if only a group of enlightened politicians would propose and pass a 5% tax on political campaign contributions--on both the giver and the receiver.

Gee, Gov. Gray Davis could really help!

Pass it retroactively to the first of the year.

Paul F. Neifert

Ontario