Diane Feinstien...Im Not Surprised

[SuburbanSmoker]

[font="arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif"][size="2"][font="Times New Roman"][size="4"][color="#0000FF"] [/color][/size][/font]


Cant say im really that surprised that this is what i got back but man....what a red headed stepchild.

[size="2"][size="2"][color="#0000FF"]Thank you for writing to me to express your opposition to the "Tobacco Tax Parity Act of 2010." I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond. [/color][/size][/size]

[size="2"][color="#0000FF"] [/color][/size]

[size="2"][color="#0000FF"] [/color][size="2"][color="#0000FF"]I am extremely concerned about the [/color][color="#0000FF"]harmful effects[/color][color="#0000FF"] that smoking and tobacco use have on Americans. The use of tobacco is the single-leading [/color][color="#0000FF"]cause of cancer[/color][color="#0000FF"] today and is estimated to account for nearly 30% of all cancer deaths. According to the [/color][color="#0000FF"]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[/color][color="#0000FF"], one in every five deaths in the United States is smoking-related. While smoking among adults declined by about 17% between 1965 and 1991, it has not declined further since 1991. Additionally, I am extremely alarmed by the continuous increases in teenage and childhood smoking and the [/color][color="#0000FF"]effects of secondhand smoke[/color][color="#0000FF"].[/color][/size][/size]

[size="2"][color="#0000FF"] [/color][/size]

[size="2"][color="#0000FF"] [/color][size="2"][color="#0000FF"]On January 13, 2010, [/color][color="#0000FF"]Representative Steve Cohen[/color][color="#0000FF"] (D-TN) introduced the "Tobacco Tax Parity Act" (H.R. 4439). This legislation would increase the [/color][color="#0000FF"]excise tax[/color][color="#0000FF"] on pipe tobacco to make it equal to the tax on roll-your-own tobacco, which is $24.78 per pound. Currently, H.R. 4439 is pending in the [/color][color="#0000FF"]House of Representatives[/color][color="#0000FF"], and no companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate. Please know that I will keep your opposition in mind should this or similar legislation come before me in the Senate. [/color][/size][/size]

[size="2"][color="#0000FF"] [/color][/size]

[size="2"][color="#0000FF"] [/color][size="2"][color="#0000FF"]Again, thank you for contacting me. If you should have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office at [/color][color="#0000FF"](202) 224-3841[/color][color="#0000FF"]. Best regards.[/color][/size][/size]

[color="#0000FF"]Edit for double paste[/color][/size][/font] Edited March 26, 2010 by SuburbanSmoker

[Stuie]

Welcome to an America where you aren't allowed to make your own choices.....

[Chreees]

It's the same exact letter sent out to everyone else... Same letter I got. I feel bad living in TN... Cohen does NOT represent us very well here...

[SuburbanSmoker]

shes got such influence around the area i live to the point where they will never allow for hookah bars to do business here. *crosses fingers*

[king_lunchb0x]

man what a bitter old hag, i got the same email too. I just want her and boxer out of office so freaking bad. lets hope this bill dies

[SuburbanSmoker]

The worst part is its all these people who dont smoke advocating taxing the shit out of it because it doesnt effect them, and to boot they feel justified because of health effects. isnt america all about making your own choices? its just sad how many self righteous pricks live in the states

[Click]

bastard.  Well I guess the good news is nothing has been brought up to the senate.

[SuburbanSmoker]

untill all this healthcare hooplah gets sorted out everything really has been put on the backburner.

[Rani]

[quote name='SuburbanSmoker' date='26 March 2010 - 10:45 AM' timestamp='1269629110' post='459898']
[font="arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif"][size="2"][font="Times New Roman"] [/font]


Cant say im really that surprised that this is what i got back but man....what a red headed stepchild.

[size="2"][size="2"][color="#0000FF"]Thank you for writing to me to express your opposition to the "Tobacco Tax Parity Act of 2010." I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond. [/color][/size][/size]



[size="2"] [size="2"][color="#0000FF"]I am extremely concerned about the [/color][color="#0000FF"]harmful effects[/color][color="#0000FF"] that smoking and tobacco use have on Americans. The use of tobacco is the single-leading [/color][color="#0000FF"]cause of cancer[/color][color="#0000FF"] today and is estimated to account for nearly 30% of all cancer deaths. According to the [/color][color="#0000FF"]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[/color][color="#0000FF"], one in every five deaths in the United States is smoking-related. While smoking among adults declined by about 17% between 1965 and 1991, it has not declined further since 1991. Additionally, I am extremely alarmed by the continuous increases in teenage and childhood smoking and the [/color][color="#0000FF"]effects of secondhand smoke[/color][color="#0000FF"].[/color][/size][/size]



[size="2"] [size="2"][color="#0000FF"]On January 13, 2010, [/color][color="#0000FF"]Representative Steve Cohen[/color][color="#0000FF"] (D-TN) introduced the "Tobacco Tax Parity Act" (H.R. 4439). This legislation would increase the [/color][color="#0000FF"]excise tax[/color][color="#0000FF"] on pipe tobacco to make it equal to the tax on roll-your-own tobacco, which is $24.78 per pound. Currently, H.R. 4439 is pending in the [/color][color="#0000FF"]House of Representatives[/color][color="#0000FF"], and no companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate. Please know that I will keep your opposition in mind should this or similar legislation come before me in the Senate. [/color][/size][/size]



[size="2"] [size="2"][color="#0000FF"]Again, thank you for contacting me. If you should have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office at [/color][color="#0000FF"](202) 224-3841[/color][color="#0000FF"]. Best regards.[/color][/size][/size]

[color="#0000FF"]Edit for double paste[/color][/size][/font]
[/quote]

I got that same exact letter word for word. I didn't post it because I was like "yeah, woop, big surprise". Funny though we both got it with the exactly same wording. I think we should both write her back and tell her that if she's going to take the time to read individual letters she should actually respond to individuals - not a form letter. I am definitely voting for whoever is running against her.

'Rani

[Codename067]

Why am I not surprised?!

We can't do sh!t but sit around and wait for the big guys to shoot it out...

[SuburbanSmoker]

unfortunantly i dont think shes going anywhere until she decides she wants to retire. i think she is on her 7th term? so dumb that its automated, i wrote a letter back, but its this kind of shit that i wont ever forget if im in a position to do something about it.

[liquidglass]

Well if it's any conciliation here's my letter from Richard Burr for NC



[color="#0000ff"]Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about increasing taxes on pipe tobacco. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you know, tobacco has historically been an important part of North Carolina's agricultural economy. The industry has undergone significant changes over recent years, and tobacco products have become one of the most regulated consumer products in our country.

On January 13, Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced the Tobacco Tax Parity Act of 2010 (H.R. 4439), which would impose the same rate of tax on pipe tobacco as is imposed on roll-your-own tobacco.[size="4"] I do not support this bill.[/size]

When Congress increased tobacco taxes last year, roll-your-own tobacco received the highest tax increase on any single product in the history of the United States. Because of this, many manufacturers changed the designation of its product to avoid going out of business. Now, certain Members of Congress are attempting to expand this tax. I am very concerned about the impact this would have on small businesses in North Carolina and across the country.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Should have have any additional questions or comments, please do not hesitate to let me know.
[/color]

[Rani]

[quote name='liquidglass' date='27 March 2010 - 09:49 PM' timestamp='1269755377' post='460158']
Well if it's any conciliation here's my letter from Richard Burr for NC



[color="#0000ff"]Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about increasing taxes on pipe tobacco. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you know, tobacco has historically been an important part of North Carolina's agricultural economy. The industry has undergone significant changes over recent years, and tobacco products have become one of the most regulated consumer products in our country.

On January 13, Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced the Tobacco Tax Parity Act of 2010 (H.R. 4439), which would impose the same rate of tax on pipe tobacco as is imposed on roll-your-own tobacco.[size="4"] I do not support this bill.[/size]

When Congress increased tobacco taxes last year, roll-your-own tobacco received the highest tax increase on any single product in the history of the United States. Because of this, many manufacturers changed the designation of its product to avoid going out of business. Now, certain Members of Congress are attempting to expand this tax. I am very concerned about the impact this would have on small businesses in North Carolina and across the country.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Should have have any additional questions or comments, please do not hesitate to let me know.
[/color]
[/quote]

Moving to North Carolina as soon as possible. Hey, Mush! Gotta room for rent?

'Rani

[SuburbanSmoker]

lol i second that.

[TweakX4]

[quote name='SuburbanSmoker' date='26 March 2010 - 07:46 PM' timestamp='1269647177' post='459966']
untill all this healthcare hooplah gets sorted out everything really has been put on the backburner.
[/quote]
so, it will probably never make it to the senate...

:thumbs up:

[thatonethere]

At least you guys received some sort of reply. My senator ignored me[img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/boredom.gif[/img].

No reply, no nothing, not even an automated response.

[Arcane]

[quote name='thatonethere' date='28 March 2010 - 09:05 PM' timestamp='1269846327' post='460412']
At least you guys received some sort of reply. My senator ignored me[img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/boredom.gif[/img].

No reply, no nothing, not even an automated response.
[/quote]
then contact him/her again....and again....and again.

[SuburbanSmoker]

ya bug them like herpes. they never no when your going to flare up but eventually they will have to pay you some attention.

[PSU Smoker]

shes a bitch. My senator didnt say which side he was on but would take my views into consideration. So who knows that really means

[atticus]

Hey guys, just thought I would through my two cents in. I go to school in Washington D.C, am involved in politics up here, and have a whole bunch of friends who work in congressional offices on the hill. Seeing this really doesn't surprise me, nor does the word for word thing. The sad thing is that congressmen don't actually read these letters, their interns do. They are given sorta a big book of token responses which the congressman or senator has outlined where he stands on legislation, and they copy and paste the responses in and mail them back. Email is even worse, as most of it is just dumped by a filter. I actually have a friend whose job as an intern is to throw away and shred (unread) letters from constituents. Now I haven't actually worked for on the hill, but the fact that I hear this story all around the city from people I know and trust, and people in the higher-ups and not just at the bottom of the office makes me think that this info is true. The fact is that there are so many people trying for the ear of people in congress that its hard for those being represented to have their voice heard as well, so our leaders remain oblivious to what their constituents actually want. Everything I have heard is that the best way to actually get your representative's attention is to call their office. You will almost definitely never get to talk to the congressman, but you'll at least talk to an intern or a pr person, who in theory meets with the congressman to give them a heads up every couple of weeks or so.

Depressing, and I don't really want to believe that our system is this messed up, but that is how Washington works. We should keep fighting this though! Has anyone looked at press outlets? Often times one bad story is worth more than 1000 angry letters against a political career and do alot more change.

[FiveSpeedF150]

She's the same way about guns. Fuck her.

[Social Smoke]

Here is the reply I got Texas US Senator John Cornyn:
[indent]
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Tobacco Tax Parity Act of 2010 (H.R. 4439). I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.

As you know, H.R. 4439 was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 13, 2010. This legislation would increase the tax on pipe tobacco from $2.83 to $24.78 per pound. H.R. 4439 was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.

I believe that raising taxes will not provide much-needed fiscal discipline in Washington but will instead impose an unnecessary burden on working families and small businesses who are already struggling in today’s economy. Instead of raising taxes, Congress should focus on eliminating excessive overhead, wasteful spending and duplicative programs. In fact, the Government Accountability Office, an independent, investigative arm of Congress, has identified billions of dollars in federal expenditures that are vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse. That is why I have supported numerous efforts in the Senate to save taxpayers billions of dollars. Most recently, I supported a group of amendments that would have collectively saved taxpayers $120 billion by reducing discretionary spending and cancelling the spending of federal funds that have been unspent for at least two years and not obligated for any purpose.

Furthermore, in an effort to combat wasteful government spending, I introduced the United States Authorization and Sunset Commission Act of 2009 (S. 926). This legislation takes steps to establish the necessary framework to create a federal sunset commission. The commission will improve congressional oversight and facilitate the elimination of obsolete and duplicative government programs—focusing on unauthorized and non-performing programs. This legislation is modeled after the Sunset Act, which the State of Texas instituted in 1977. The Sunset Act has led to the elimination of over 50 agencies deemed duplicative and has saved Texans more than $700 million, and I am hopeful that S. 926 will reap the same benefits.

I appreciate having the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator [/indent]

If you guys don't know already there is a Facebook page also dedicated to this topic: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=455963235610&ref=ts In there you will see a post by Zak Cruise Carter which works on the campaign for John Dennis which is going against Nancy Pelosi. She is a lot like Feinstien.

Its SO sad to me how the government tell us what to do. Where did "being adult" stop losing it's meaning. We can sign up for war and get bullets shot at us, but we can't smoke? WTF?

[Bulldog_916]

I dont think you guys fully understand how smoking as a whole affects even people who dont smoke monetarily. If you did, perhaps you would understand why they want people to quit if only for the monetary gain. Most people who arent insured through an entity like Kaiser, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, etc. on their own are insured through an assisted medicare or medicaid or medi-cal program, a combination of government subsidies to assist them with their health care. After smoking for so many years, someone who hasnt had the best life financially goes into the doctor's office with breathing problems. It's found that they have emphysema or lung disease or asthma or name your smoking-related disease. The government pays part of, if not all of their treatment. The government is some weird form of you and me. Now, part of your tax money that you've worked hard to earn and that you'd want to go toward something unrelated to this person's life mistakes is going to helping to treat the illness they got from years of abusing their bodies. You can imagine how much this costs every year depending on the prevalence of smoking in the community. Notice I didnt even include lung cancer in the list of smoking-related illnesses? That's the scare disease, but isnt the one you're most likely to get from smoking. You'd likely get one of the other three up there. All of these treatments cost millions in tax dollars to each state every year. Now, this doesnt mean I agree with taxing to the hilt people who smoke. I very much disagree with that. I'm far far against the tobacco tax parity act. I think that people who have a history of smoking should pay for their own medical treatments, but in some cases that's just not possible. They would die before they ever got enough money to get treated and you'd see a skyrocket of smoking disease related deaths. I love hookah, I do. But I also understand the risks it poses to me. I understand why states want to recoup some of their losses due to smoking's prevalence. I dont like it, but I understand it. After all, why should I pay for someone else's mistakes if I havent ever picked up a cigarette? That's what non-smokers are saying. They are the majority. A democracy is ruled by the majority. I understand the personal freedom argument but it doesnt hold any water. People believe it's their right to abuse their bodies as they please, but that's when they're feeling alright. When they're having trouble breathing and are begging for treatment, their opinions change really fast. My point is that you can say "we should have the freedom to smoke and do what we want to ourselves." But when your "right" costs someone else money in the form of tax dollars to pay for your health care, it stops being your right.

[liquidglass]

[quote name='Bulldog_916' date='30 March 2010 - 07:30 PM' timestamp='1269991801' post='460877']
I dont think you guys fully understand how smoking as a whole affects even people who dont smoke monetarily. If you did, perhaps you would understand why they want people to quit if only for the monetary gain. Most people who arent insured through an entity like Kaiser, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, etc. on their own are insured through an assisted medicare or medicaid or medi-cal program, a combination of government subsidies to assist them with their health care. After smoking for so many years, someone who hasnt had the best life financially goes into the doctor's office with breathing problems. It's found that they have emphysema or lung disease or asthma or name your smoking-related disease. The government pays part of, if not all of their treatment. The government is some weird form of you and me. Now, part of your tax money that you've worked hard to earn and that you'd want to go toward something unrelated to this person's life mistakes is going to helping to treat the illness they got from years of abusing their bodies. You can imagine how much this costs every year depending on the prevalence of smoking in the community. Notice I didnt even include lung cancer in the list of smoking-related illnesses? That's the scare disease, but isnt the one you're most likely to get from smoking. You'd likely get one of the other three up there. All of these treatments cost millions in tax dollars to each state every year. Now, this doesnt mean I agree with taxing to the hilt people who smoke. I very much disagree with that. I'm far far against the tobacco tax parity act. I think that people who have a history of smoking should pay for their own medical treatments, but in some cases that's just not possible.[b] They would die before they ever got enough money to get treated and you'd see a skyrocket of smoking disease related deaths.[/b] I love hookah, I do. But I also understand the risks it poses to me. I understand why states want to recoup some of their losses due to smoking's prevalence. I dont like it, but I understand it. After all, why should I pay for someone else's mistakes if I havent ever picked up a cigarette? That's what non-smokers are saying. They are the majority. A democracy is ruled by the majority. I understand the personal freedom argument but it doesnt hold any water. People believe it's their right to abuse their bodies as they please, but that's when they're feeling alright. When they're having trouble breathing and are begging for treatment, their opinions change really fast. My point is that you can say "we should have the freedom to smoke and do what we want to ourselves." But when your "right" costs someone else money in the form of tax dollars to pay for your health care, it stops being your right.
[/quote]


You may disagree with me but my simple reply is "and?"

I completely agree that tax payers shouldn't pay for people who abuse themselves and don't prepare. In fact I would propose to eliminate self inflicted sicknesses completely off the tax payers money. People would die, population control would exist, and the average income per family would rise.

If people don't try to better themselves and intend on leeching off of others hard work I say cut them off and make them pull themselves up.

[Venger]

[quote name='liquidglass' date='31 March 2010 - 06:50 AM' timestamp='1270032656' post='460976']
[quote name='Bulldog_916' date='30 March 2010 - 07:30 PM' timestamp='1269991801' post='460877']
I dont think you guys fully understand how smoking as a whole affects even people who dont smoke monetarily. If you did, perhaps you would understand why they want people to quit if only for the monetary gain. Most people who arent insured through an entity like Kaiser, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, etc. on their own are insured through an assisted medicare or medicaid or medi-cal program, a combination of government subsidies to assist them with their health care. After smoking for so many years, someone who hasnt had the best life financially goes into the doctor's office with breathing problems. It's found that they have emphysema or lung disease or asthma or name your smoking-related disease. The government pays part of, if not all of their treatment. The government is some weird form of you and me. Now, part of your tax money that you've worked hard to earn and that you'd want to go toward something unrelated to this person's life mistakes is going to helping to treat the illness they got from years of abusing their bodies. You can imagine how much this costs every year depending on the prevalence of smoking in the community. Notice I didnt even include lung cancer in the list of smoking-related illnesses? That's the scare disease, but isnt the one you're most likely to get from smoking. You'd likely get one of the other three up there. All of these treatments cost millions in tax dollars to each state every year. Now, this doesnt mean I agree with taxing to the hilt people who smoke. I very much disagree with that. I'm far far against the tobacco tax parity act. I think that people who have a history of smoking should pay for their own medical treatments, but in some cases that's just not possible.[b] They would die before they ever got enough money to get treated and you'd see a skyrocket of smoking disease related deaths.[/b] I love hookah, I do. But I also understand the risks it poses to me. I understand why states want to recoup some of their losses due to smoking's prevalence. I dont like it, but I understand it. After all, why should I pay for someone else's mistakes if I havent ever picked up a cigarette? That's what non-smokers are saying. They are the majority. A democracy is ruled by the majority. I understand the personal freedom argument but it doesnt hold any water. People believe it's their right to abuse their bodies as they please, but that's when they're feeling alright. When they're having trouble breathing and are begging for treatment, their opinions change really fast. My point is that you can say "we should have the freedom to smoke and do what we want to ourselves." But when your "right" costs someone else money in the form of tax dollars to pay for your health care, it stops being your right.
[/quote]


You may disagree with me but my simple reply is "and?"

I completely agree that tax payers shouldn't pay for people who abuse themselves and don't prepare. In fact I would propose to eliminate self inflicted sicknesses completely off the tax payers money. People would die, population control would exist, and the average income per family would rise.

If people don't try to better themselves and intend on leeching off of others hard work I say cut them off and make them pull themselves up.
[/quote]
Now this I agree with.People should be made to suffer the consequences of their own actions. We as Americans need to let people live or die,succeed or fail on their own. I have been paying health and life insurance for more than half my life and I rarely use the medical system.
help and handouts are fine temporarily but should never become a lifestyle. Let me smoke I have paid my dues and continue to do so. Something is going to kill me I should at least have some say in what is is.
Ray