I know that I should be studying for final exams, but I’m just so horrified by what I’m reading here that I can’t help but vent. The Richmond Times Dispatch has an editorial today acknowledging that raising the state cigarette tax would save lives, but looking at the dollar value of those lives and figuring that it’s probably not worth it, given the corresponding drop in tax revenue, what with the less smokers. In part:
But: If the numbers of smokers decline – and heavily – wouldn’t the pot of money received by the state be far less than anticipated? And: Fewer people smoking might bring a corresponding drop in Medicaid expenditures, but would that drop cover the amount lost in cigarette tax revenues?
Raising the levy on cigarettes might reduce smoking, but increase potential financial fallout.
I’m looking for some hint of sarcasm in this editorial, and I’m just not finding it.
What sons of bitches.