Pubdate: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 Source: Johnson City Press (TN) Copyright: 2003 Johnson City Press and Associated Press Contact: http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983 Author: John Frank Hunter OTHER TAXES EDITOR: Instead of increasing taxes outrageously on tobacco, a legal substance, which decreases the number of people purchasing the product and in turn hurts our state's economy, why is there no legislation to increase taxes of those who are charged with illegal substance abuse, drunken driving and other such illegal atrocities? We have seen in all 50 states the effect of increasing taxes on tobacco products, singling out those who choose to use legal substances and farmers who try to make an honest living. Why are we punishing those who are in line with the laws of our state and nation? To increase taxes of those who are convicted of using illegal substances and committing crimes that endanger themselves, endanger others, and according to recent commercials, also supports terrorism. I personally do not know any farmers in our area who grow tobacco in order to support terrorism. It is a shame we are in a way promoting illegal drug use by not taxing offenders; my belief is that if we could tax those who commit what is actually a crime that the drug use in our country will rapidly decline as we have seen in the use of tobacco. JOHN FRANK HUNTER II Johnson City - --- MAP posted-by: Alex