The latest ballot measure here is for smokers to pay for Oregon's children's health care. Sounds good, right? Nobody likes sick kids. But then you read further and realize that the measure says that it authorizes a Constitutional amendment to make this unchangeable. So, smokers, through increased taxes on cigarettes, will FOREVER pay for children's health care in Oregon - the Legislature debated increasing EVERYONE'S taxes for health care but realized that it would make people mad and it probably wouldn't pass a vote. So, on to cigarettes - a minority of Oregonians supporting the majority because it's easier to add taxes to something everyone doesn't do than to increase taxes for everyone. I hope it doesn't pass, but I'm not holding out much hope for democracy.
Kind of stinks any way you look at it.
There was a Letter to the Editor in the Oregonian (local rag) that said it best - maybe we should vote for cattle ranchers to build a new bridge over the Columbia River? Or a tax on Trailblazer's tickets to pay for a new light rail line? Makes just as much sense.
Ach, these things drive me crazy.
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