Comments on: Massachusetts One Ups New Hampshire With Cigarette Tax Hike http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/ I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations. James Madison Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:12:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Violet http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/#comment-30338 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:37:25 +0000 http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/?p=1716#comment-30338 I moved to Western Mass in the spring of ’08 and had been purchasing cigarettes online prior to that in upstate NY. I had heard ‘stories’ about people getting hit with tax bills, never really thought anything of it, couldn’t understand how buying anything online could be regulated to this extent… Most of the time I’ve lived here, I’ve bought cigarettes via traditional routes. But, I did purchase some online when I actually had enough money to order more than a carton at a time. Guess what? I just got a tax notice (failure to file) with penalties for the purchase of 15 cartons between Sept 08 and December 08. The total? $446.
So let me get this straight. They raise cigarette prices (to curb underage smoking, to encourage people to quit, whatever the reasoning) and the working poor either has to suck it up and pay the increase or quit. No choice. That “choice” was already taken away from us when we became addicted to a product that our government allowed be sold to us. And to make sure we, “the people” have NO CHOICE, they make it illegal to purchase and possess out of state, non-stamped cigarettes?
I started smoking when I was 13 years old. I’m now 37. I’ve tried to quit many times, to no avail. I have asthma (which I had prior to starting) and now have symptoms of emphysema. This isn’t a cakewalk for me. If anyone wants to be free of this addiction, it’s me.
The anti-smoking stuff in MASS is a joke. I had to DIG to find out information that was readily available for NY residents at every turn. There are support groups in Mass, but you have to pay to attend! So I’m to shell out even more money to a state who doesn’t seem to give a wit about its residents? I don’t think so. It may not work, then I’m out even more money than I’m already out because of this disease.
Like other posters have said, this is a truly unfair practice- that of targeting the poor, the addicted, the disadvantaged of MASS. Because really, do you think the rich are going to buy cigs online? Doubt it.
I don’t know how I’m going to pay this tax bill. I lost my job in Dec. of ’08 and have been struggling to pay the bills as it is. Part of the reason I bought cigarettes online was to be able to afford my other bills, because so much of my income was going towards this detestable addiction. No matter what I do, it’s not good enough in this state, and after 1.5 years of being hit with this tax and that tax, I’ve about had enough!
I for one am seriously considering moving back to NY. The taxes there aren’t great, but I’ve yet to see this many taxes/penalties/fees in the 12 years I lived there. In MASS, it seems you have to pay a tax just to for the privilege of being alive on the commonwealth’s soil.

]]> By: Ed http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/#comment-25018 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:32:46 +0000 http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/?p=1716#comment-25018 I got laid off on 3 – 13 – 09. As I make the sound of the Friday The 13TH Theme…..I am hooked on smokes BIG TIME. Up to almost 3 packs a day. The job I had was running voice and data cables at Harvard University. Smoking this much relieved stress of the job. P{laes note I blame myself only for my smoking weakness. Since Cambridge Massachusettes is almost at the “SHOOT A SMOKER TODAY ” Mentality You have to smoke 25 feet from a building or totally out of sight. I light up when ever I got out of a building which in turn, I believe, Has me chain smoking when I get home. No Anti smoking laws in my home. I know it is unhealthy as hell…..But damn. I am finding it very hard to even slow down. The state has me by the nut sack. I am looking for a site telling me where cheaper smokes are in close states like New Hampshire and Rhode Island. BTW Forget getting smoke from Tribes. I did that years ago Using my credit card, I was told back then No more Credit card sales only Personal checks because ” Under aged children were doing it that way” Even though an Adult had to accept them at your front door to sign for them with an I. D.. So we used the personal check method. SHAME ON ME. MASSACUSETTES THEn SENT US A BILL FOR BACK TAXES FOR A LITTLE OVER $1,000. I COULD OF GOT THE NAMED BRANDS FOR THAT PRICE. Lived all my life in Taxachusetts. the thanks we get for paying taxes all our lives. Oh….I am 56 years old! Thats a boat load of taxes from this man. Boy, I sure found writting this difficult without typing swears.

Reply

]]> By: Ed http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/#comment-25017 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:30:02 +0000 http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/?p=1716#comment-25017 I got laid off on 3 – 13 – 09. As I make the sound of the Friday The 13TH Theme…..I am hooked on smokes BIG TIME. Up to almost 3 packs a day. The job I had was running voice and data cables at Harvard University. Smoking this much relieved stress of the job. P{laes note I blame myself only for my smoking weakness. Since Cambridge Massachusettes is almost at the “SHOOT A SMOKER TODAY ” Mentality You have to smoke 25 feet from a building or totally out of sight. I light up when ever I got out of a building which in turn, I believe, Has me chain smoking when I get home. No Anti smoking laws in my home. I know it is unhealthy as hell…..But damn. I am finding it very hard to even slow down. The state has me by the nut sack. I am looking for a site telling me where cheaper smokes are in close states like New Hampshire and Rhode Island. BTW Forget getting smoke from Tribes. I did that years ago Using my credit card, I was told back then No more Credit card sales only Personal checks because ” Under aged children were doing it that way” Even though an Adult had to accept them at your front door to sign for them with an I. D.. So we used the personal check method. SHAME ON ME. MASSACUSETTES THEn SENT US A BILL FOR BACK TAXES FOR A LITTLE OVER $1,000. I COULD OF GOT THE NAMED BRANDS FOR THAT PRICE. Lived all my life in Taxachusetts. the thanks we get for paying taxes all our lives. Oh….I am 56 years old! Thats a boat load of taxes from this man. Boy, I sure found writting this difficult without typing swears.

]]> By: rob http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/#comment-24796 Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:39:25 +0000 http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/?p=1716#comment-24796 so were is this tax money going hah roads, city,schools what obama u fu.c..k.i.n.g. idiot

]]> By: Mr Pink Eyes http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/#comment-24720 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:25:34 +0000 http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/?p=1716#comment-24720 Welcome Rick, I hope that you keep coming back. All of those people who thought that voting out the income tax would be irresponsible must be wondering what happened. They thought that if the income tax was voted out that other taxes would be raised, now other taxes are being raised and they still have to pay the income tax. It IS time for Mass. residents to wake up.

]]> By: Rick Bostick http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/#comment-24706 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:44:09 +0000 http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/?p=1716#comment-24706 Good thing we didn’t get rid of the State income tax! If we get rid of that they will just tax us else where right? Like jack up the tolls and the gas tax and now $8 per pack of smokes!! PEOPLE WAKE THE F*CK UP!!!!!! They will get the money one way or another!!! Until we rise up and MAKE them more responsible with OUR money this sh*t will never ever stop!!!!

When toll booth workers make $65k per yr and State troopers are making $150k plus per yr with details, when people are getting state pensions and STILL working for the state (double dipping) this will never end!!!!

I for one am a smoker, this is so out of control it makes me sick. To all the people who say “just quit”, f*ck you! I enjoy smoking and until the they make it illegal im going to keep enjoying smoking, that is MY RIGHT!!! Why dont we tax fast food and penalize all the fat people?Why not tax, bullets, guns and tax all the thugs?How about alcohol and tax all the alcoholics?? Wont that get people to quit drinking too? Give me a break Gov. Patrick!!!! Stay in Jamaica on your vacation you piece of sh*t! Oh yeah , glad we could all help pay for the state troopers who are there with you “keeping you safe”!! If thats not the ultimate detail , I dont know what is! WASTE WASTE WAST AND MORE WASTE!!!!!

No wonder this state is broke, Gov. Patrick couldnt manage a McDonalds never mind the whole state!

]]> By: Heather http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/#comment-24681 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:40:43 +0000 http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/?p=1716#comment-24681 I think this tax is in every way vile and unfair, they deserve to be hit hard with this one, i know i for one refuse to pay 8 to 9 dollars a pack, F*ck them, let them get slammed the way their trying to slam us!!!!!!

]]> By: Joe http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/#comment-24662 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:51:25 +0000 http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/?p=1716#comment-24662 I propose that ALL smokers apply for EVERY kind of state assistance they are eligible for. Apply for foodstamps, apply for welfare, get on masshealth, heat assistance, ALL OF IT. Let’s take our taxes back.

]]> By: Joe http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/#comment-24659 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:42:37 +0000 http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/?p=1716#comment-24659 Another example of budget deficits being laid on the backs of the poor. Why not a special tax for designer clothes or BMW cars? What’s next, a 10 dollar a pint beer tax in Southie?
Someone needs to put these legislators in their place, and fast.

]]> By: ukrgdjklzb http://americaswatchtower.com/2008/05/10/massachusetts-one-ups-new-hampshire-with-cigarette-tax-hike/#comment-20044 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:52:25 +0000 http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/?p=1716#comment-20044 Is there some state or country out there that still allows voting and/or protests? I miss the old fassion way.

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