Anybody, Anybody, Bueler?
2007-11-01 10:53:10 · 11 answers · asked by civil_av8r 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
LOL! Good question!
They're not really 'sin' taxes because, as you can see, government policy doesn't recognize 'sin'. They are really a form of luxury tax. People don't need whiskey and cigarettes and gambling to live, they are completely optional in our lives. So, from a certain perspective, it make sense to tax them a little higher since the tax also becomes optional. This is the same logic by which food and prescription drugs are exempt from sales tax (at least they are here in California).
I remember when they began being called 'sin' tax, during the Carter admininstration. At the time it was sort of tongue-in-cheek because it sounded like the word 'syntax'. But nobody thought in those days, or even today, that moderate drinking, smoking and gambling even -are- sins.
2007-11-01 10:59:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi
It's Separate in words only, not in Deeds.
The State & Church Love Sin Taxes.
2007-11-01 10:59:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that "sin tax" is just a nickname. Regardless, I would still rather pay much higher taxes on liquor & cigarettes (I don't smoke anymore but I drink) and other things that I dont need than pay a little bit more tax on the things I do need.
2007-11-01 10:59:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're called excise taxes. Taxes on items such as gas, cell phone use, cigarettes, and alcohol exists so they can raise more revenue because people will continue to buy those products. See the topic of elasticity in economics for more info.
2007-11-01 11:34:57 · answer #4 · answered by justin H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sin taxes were imposed to discourage the use of notorious items like cigarettes and liquor but not necessarily involving religion on this aspect of taxation. Sin taxes were more of an exercise of the police power rather that than taxation.
2007-11-01 10:58:16 · answer #5 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no official group of taxes known as "sin taxes". It is a termed created and used by the media to describe taxes on things like alcohol and cigarettes.
2007-11-01 10:57:25 · answer #6 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
That's a good question. I don't think it's meant to be taken literally, though. The "sin" taxes are on tobacco and alcohol. Ask any Catholic, and they will tell you that neither are a sin.
2007-11-01 10:58:20 · answer #7 · answered by Ham B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What does religion have to do with sin taxes?
2007-11-01 11:29:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because politicians don't believe in the seperation, and they make the laws
2007-11-01 11:13:32 · answer #9 · answered by Gianni J 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hmm, good one!
They'd be better off calling them vice taxes or bad habit taxes.
2007-11-01 10:57:04 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋