OK, forget that the proposed $35 billion increase in children's health coverage is regressive taxation that Democrats always claim to be against. Never mind that the income guidelines are so generous that this moves away from providing coverage for the poor and gets well into the middle class. At least listen to one small voice of common sense belonging to Rep. Jim McCrey, R-La., about the wisdom of funding the program with an increase in cigarette taxes:
"To propose funding a growing program with a declining revenue source is, I would submit, irresponsible fiscal policy," he said.
As the program grows, the increasing price of cigarettes will reduce the number of smokers and the amount of available revenue. Hello, non-smoking taxpayers!
