Ford Halting Increased Tax on Alcohol
I drink beer. I'm not an alcoholic. But I drink probably an average of a beer a night. 2 some nights, none others and 1 quick regularly. So, don't pretend I'm unaffected by what I say. I also drink craft beer which is more expensive, and I can't really afford to buy it as often as I'd like. So I'm also not some rich snob saying this to spite those who are less well off.
Alcohol is a luxury. And it should be taxed. Abuse of it can lead health issues, social issues and crime. It should not be made more accessible by any means including lowering minimum prices or decreasing or freezing taxes.
Sure, I know many people are responsible most of the time. Most of us are irresponsible on occasion. And some of us anything but responsible most of the time.
The short story is, we really can't be trusted with it. It is really only legal because history has shown us that prohibition doesn't work.
Don't get me wrong though. I'm not clamoring to have it taken away or have it priced out of general availability. I don't think prohibition made sense either. But, it is a substance which is dangerous when abused and is abused far too often. Higher taxes make it slightly less available. But, those tax funds also help to fund awareness and prevention campaigns. The taxes help pay the hospital staff after an extreme bender or when a drunk driver hits a friend. They help pay for the cops that try to keep the drunks off the roads. The money can be used to help subsidize rehab programs or build low cost housing or a host of things which can help reduce or manage the fall out.
Any government whose goal it is to make alcohol cheaper is either sucking the funds out of these programs or is simply going to raise your taxes to fund them by another means. Would you rather your taxes go up? Or would you rather that those promoting and contributing to the problem pay directly by paying a tax on the product that generates the need for these additional services?
I don't like rising prices more than anyone else. But, don't pretend that drinking is virtuous or without risks. And don't pretend that you can reduce the taxes and not feel an impact. Governments, especially provincial ones aren't generally taking taxes simply to line their own pockets.
Alcohol is a luxury. And it should be taxed. Abuse of it can lead health issues, social issues and crime. It should not be made more accessible by any means including lowering minimum prices or decreasing or freezing taxes.
Sure, I know many people are responsible most of the time. Most of us are irresponsible on occasion. And some of us anything but responsible most of the time.
The short story is, we really can't be trusted with it. It is really only legal because history has shown us that prohibition doesn't work.
Don't get me wrong though. I'm not clamoring to have it taken away or have it priced out of general availability. I don't think prohibition made sense either. But, it is a substance which is dangerous when abused and is abused far too often. Higher taxes make it slightly less available. But, those tax funds also help to fund awareness and prevention campaigns. The taxes help pay the hospital staff after an extreme bender or when a drunk driver hits a friend. They help pay for the cops that try to keep the drunks off the roads. The money can be used to help subsidize rehab programs or build low cost housing or a host of things which can help reduce or manage the fall out.
Any government whose goal it is to make alcohol cheaper is either sucking the funds out of these programs or is simply going to raise your taxes to fund them by another means. Would you rather your taxes go up? Or would you rather that those promoting and contributing to the problem pay directly by paying a tax on the product that generates the need for these additional services?
I don't like rising prices more than anyone else. But, don't pretend that drinking is virtuous or without risks. And don't pretend that you can reduce the taxes and not feel an impact. Governments, especially provincial ones aren't generally taking taxes simply to line their own pockets.
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