The Last Laugh

One of Life’s indisputable facts: Government reserves the right to tax; And tho’ they waste far more than they should, It’s supposedly done “for the common good.” Economists use the word “propensity,” Just a fancy word for “odds”, you see: The odds you’ll save, the odds you’ll spend, And how many Tax Dollars those odds will rend. The basis for U.S. government budgets is “Total Tax Dollars Collected”; And any overtures to reduce those collections are summarily rejected; And should a source of taxes have declined or dissipated, Other taxes are increased and/or new taxes are created. Many, if not most, of these taxes are “regressive”. That means their actual impact on income is “progressive”... But “progressive” in a very negative way. Relatively speaking, the Less you make, the More you pay. Whether you make it or sell it, need it or want it, Congress will tax it; And, once a tax is on the books, Congress has zero “propensity” to relax it. Congresses, Federal and State, love to tax Luxury and Sin; Smoking Sinners have had their taxes raised again and again and again. Cigarette taxes are frequently raised, the “claim” is to drive users to quit; But Truth is measured in Billions in taxes, so we know supporters are “full of it.” Meantime, Non-smokers reap many benefits, while Smokers foot the bill; And if that should change, Non-smokers would taste a financially “bitter pill.” Taxed and taxed and taxed some more, but not yet into submission, Smokers could shift their tax burden to Non-smokers…without their permission. Yes, what if one Fateful day, those Smoking Sinners, Each and Every one, Just put them down and said, “I quit.”; said en masse, “We’re done!” Congresses would be clamoring to derive Billions in Taxes elsewhere, At first, Non-smokers may not realize the impact they’re about to bear. When an industry dies, businesses and people’s jobs are lost…it’s true; But all those Tax Dollars must come from somewhere...the likes of me and you. So righteous, whining Non-smokers maintained their hue and cry. Ever pushing Congresses to tax those Smoking Sinners… tax them ‘til they die; But after quitting, Ex-Smokers would pay less, while Non-Smokers would pay more. Guess Non-smokers didn’t think far enough ahead, didn’t really know the score. All those dreary anti-smoking ads, many of which falsified the cause, Would disappear. And what about all the useless anti-smoking laws? Instead of Non-smokers not liking Smokers, Ex-Smokers would serve instead. "The bastards are costing me money. I wish they had smoked 'til they were dead." So, Ex-smokers would be getting healthier and spending far less; And may be cause for some Non-smokers’ financial distress. While they ruefully pay more, Ex-smokers' pocket books will attest By reminding Non-smokers daily......the Last Laugh is Best.