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Meadors living a dream
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I talked with Dr. Meadors, who is running for state senate, after the debate at the Anderson County Library.
He wants to increase the taxes on cigarettes by a large amount. He thinks that by doing this, that the state will make millions more to pay for health insurance. When you increase the tax on cigarettes, the cigarette sales will drop, and the state may not make as much money as they were making before they raised the tax.
I worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company International for 34 years, and I know a lot more about the tobacco business than Dr. Meadors does. Dr. Meadors thinks that all the extra money on cigarette taxes will give the people that do not have health insurance free insurance. This is where he is dreaming.
If the 75 percent of people that do not have health insurance would stop using their cell phones and take the chrome rims off their cars, they would be able to afford health insurance.
What about all the S.C. people that have to pay for their health insurance? Why not give these people free health insurance?
The Republicans in the S.C. House and S.C. Senate will never pass a bill that Dr. Meadors is telling the voters that he can get passed. That’s another dream.
Donald B. Furr Sr., Anderson
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Funny coincidence how R.J. Reynolds gave Kevin Bryant a campaign contribution, he voted against the cig tax increase, and then one of their former employees writes a letter slamming Meadors.
Folk$, it i$n't hard to figure thi$ $tuff out.
Mr Furr, I do not have chrome rims, and I do not have health insurance. I am 50 years old, have good employment, own my own home vote in every election, volunteer my time around town, and have never been in a prison never mind living in one. I just can not afford $12,000 a year for insurance. So before you go around stretching reality with your racist nose turned up, get your facts straight. Also just want to point out that the McCain plan of a $2,500 tax credit is useless, it seems like they need it more than me.
I'm going to agree w/Mr. Furr. As much as I can FIND to read about Dr. Meadors I believe he is as dangerous to this area as OBAMA is to the CONSERVATIVE way of life.
in response to robert
What part of that comment was racist? What is your agenda?
Meadors is a bonehead. He is totally clueless about reality. And even more clueless about how politics is done in Columbia. He will be the lowest ranked Democrat (which by the way has no power) in the Senate.
Mister Furr,
You are the one living a dream. Let's look at facts and figures, shall we?
State Excise Tax Rates on Cigarettes
http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/ciga...
South Carolina charges a paltry SEVEN CENTS a PACK, placing us DEAD LAST (51st in this list, as the District of Columbia is included). As you can see, the MEDIAN tax rate on a pack of cigarettes nation-wide is 100 cents, or $1.00.
Even if Dr. Meadors is successful in moving our cigarette tax rate from 7 cents a pack to 50 cents per pack, South Carolina will STILL rank near the bottom in what we tax on a pack of smokes. We will still be one of the preferred places to shop for smokes.
Even the home to tobacco row charges 35 cents per pack.
WAKE UP PEOPLE!!
Honestly Mister Furr, it appears you know more about the product than the economics and legislation behind it.
- SSHM
in response to yankeefann
Clueless about how politics is done in Columbia?
Take it from someone who was there for four years and has a very clear and concise understanding of "how it's done down there."
Dr. Meadors will not only be a success in Columbia, he will excel where Kevin Bryant has failed. You don't build coalitions and push legislation by spending all of your time at the SC Policy Council Office, now do you?
It's called constituent service - something the current state senator hasn't a clue about - as he wastes our time blogging and speaking in platitudes rather than meeting the needs of HIS electorate (maybe like finding jobs for his unemployed constituents - landing business in his district, etc?)
Speaking of getting things done, I find it interesting that you and others are interested in preserving the status quo when it comes to a tax on smokes. What do I mean?
Q: When was the last time South Carolina raised taxes on cigarettes?
A: 1977
Think about that.
- SSHM
Being overweight is unhealthy. Meadors may raise taxes on donuts. Laying in tanning beds is unhealthy. Meadors may raise taxes on suntan lotion. Drinking is unhealthy. Meadors may raise taxes on beer. Where will it end.
If Meadors is serious about helping people with healthcare. He should lead by example. He can give free care to the uninsured right now if he wants to. If he wants to help them, that's great. He obviously don't or he would give free care to them now. But he shouldn't expect anybody to want to pay more taxes so those who chose not to have insurance, as his own website states, can have it.
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