The impending deal between governor Patterson of New York and the Democrat leaders of the Asembly and the State Senate includes a further increase in cigarette taxes of $1.60 per pack. That will make the cost of a pack of cigarettes more than $10. It will also raise $440 million to help close a budget gap of over $9 billion. Clearly, the huge cigarette tax will not do enough to enable the state to keep spending without cuts. Perhaps the Democrats in the Governor's office and Legislature are thinking too small. Maybe they should consider simply executing anyone who smokes and having all of the victim's assets go to the state. This might raise sufficient funds for a year or two to close the budget deficit. Of course, after all the smokers are gone, there would have to be cut backs, so they could move on to those who drink, are overweight or have inappropriate political views.
When will these people learn that they have to cut spending?
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