Today's post has nothing to do with photography with the exception of the photo's that I'm posting.
I started today like any other day. Woke up, got ready for work, jumped in my car and headed for the gas station. Yes, the cost of gas has gone up again, but that's to be expected during the summer months; with all the lucky folks going on vacation. However, what was not expected was that overnight, as I slept peacefully, the cost of cigarettes jumped from $3.00 a pack to $5.50! I couldn't figure it out! The cashier couldn't explain it and there was nothing on the radio about it. How could this happen? Did every tobacco field in the world go up in smoke last night? I just couldn't understand what happened. Once I arrived at work I logged onto Facebook and shared my thought for the day; would you guess it was about the cost of cigarettes? THEN it happened! I was informed that the tobacco fields are fine...our government just decided to sentence smokers with an enormous tax! Yes! It would be the smokers that would be responsible for bailing out the government! I mean, who else should do it? It all made sense! Of course the smokers should be held responsible! It is our fault that loan officers approved mortgages that they knew people couldn't afford! Oh, and how could I forget that it was also our fault that the government gave billions of dollars to auto makers just so those auto makers could rip dealerships out from underneath the owners! Mmmm Hmmm it's all very clear now!
Well, I for one will not pay the ransom that the government is demanding. I have smoked for 30 years and I thoroughly enjoyed every last cigarette, but it is now over. I work every day and I pay my taxes just like everyone else, and I don't mind paying taxes on cigarettes, but when the tax on cigarettes is higher than the actual cigarettes, I will just have to tell the government to "Kiss my BUTT!" If you ask me, paying more money to the government is just money going up in smoke!
I agree with you, the last time I smoked, it only cost 55 cents a pack, my have times changed, that's an a huge increase, but that was back in 1983. LOL
ReplyDeleteDang... I can't remember cigarettes being 55 cents per pack... I started smoking in 1979. Maybe all that smoke has clouded my memory!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha!!! You go girl!!! I haven't smoked since I gave up co kane. So it hasn't been a problem for me. But My neighbor down stairs smokes and I'll tell you, that's first on her list before food, so, I am glad at least for your health...smoke pot!
ReplyDeleteI smoke Wiskey Colts Cigars...$9.50 a pack here in BC Canada. Same Price for Regular Cigerettes.
ReplyDeleteLOL... Lolie, you are too funny! Hey, at least if I end up with Cancer from the cigarettes I will be able to smoke pot legally!
ReplyDeleteDang William!
ReplyDeleteThere's no way I could afford to live in Canada! I'd have to take out a loan just to support my nicotine habit!!!
so you have quit smoking?
ReplyDeleteNot yet Gerry... I'm still smoking those $5.50 packs! But, when they're gone I'm done!
ReplyDeleteTina....I started smoking 50 years ago. 25 cents a pack! Now that I'm retired, on a fixed income and a carton of smokes costs over SIXTY BUCKS(!), I quit. It's been 12 weeks now and I realize the craving will NEVER go away. I just have to deal with it. When everyone was telling me to quit 'cause it will kill me, I responded, "So will a bus in a crosswalk! Something eventually will!" I truly enjoyed smoking and, if I had to sacrifice a few years of my life to enjoy something, rather than to live longer without that enjoyment, so be it. If 50 years of smoking's gonna kill me, the damage is done. Quitting now isn't gonna save me. ABC's Peter Jennings died of lung cancer 14 years after he quit. Nope, I quit because of the cost. Ya really can't fight city hall.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean Jaybird!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Jennings died a very long time after he quit smoking, but look at all the people that have died from cancer and never smoked at all (Dana Reeve for example). Cancer is vicious, and yes, smoking can contribute, but I'm really more of the mind set that sometimes it doesn't matter what you do or don't do, you're gonna die when your time is up. We all risk our lives on a daily basis; just getting behind the wheel of a car is riskier than smoking, but we all do it!
I'm on the same page as you Jaybird... I enjoy smoking and it pisses me off that I have to quit because the prices are outrageous.
You know why the price is rising don't you? Thousands of people are getting health care services for the addiction and can't afford to pay the bill. As well as Meth and other addictions. I'll tell you, if I do live another day on this Planet, I don't want to be strapped to a piece of luggage!
ReplyDeleteNow that's something to ponder...
ReplyDeleteThe health care system is a complete mess and you're right Lolie, thousands of people are getting treated for addictions and can't pay the bill. Then when you factor in all those that get free health care... somebody has to pay for it! It just drives me insane when they drop everything on one group of people. But, life isn't fair... take for instance that in some states there is no tax on food, but other states (like the one I live in) does have a tax on food. How is that fair? If there is no tax on food in certain parts of the U.S. then it seems to me that it should apply to everyone. The list just goes on and on... Thanks for giving me something else to think about!
Yeah! Here in L.A., even the winos have to pay a tax when they get their wine!
ReplyDeleteLOL! No one's gonna get off the hook are they?
ReplyDelete