Let's hear it for the sinners of the world. At least, that seems to be the attitude of state lawmakers and Gov. Pat Quinn, who just raised the sin tax on alcohol.
King George favored taxes on sugar and tea used by the colonists, and actually Illinois has just raised taxes on canned tea and coffee also.
But beer, wine and especially hard liquor are Illinois' beverages of choice in this summer of additional taxes. Oh, and lawmakers also like candy -- a sin in the eyes of the health police, so it's fair game to tax.
Next up: video poker, the crack cocaine of gambling. Lawmakers soon will let taverns, truck stops and social clubs across Illinois have the machines so the state can tax them and fund its capital works program. We've come a long way from the days when the only way you could legally gamble in Illinois was to do it on a riverboat cruise.
What's next, legalized prostitution? How about legalizing then taxing the original crack cocaine? Sure, those things are not as publicly acceptable as drinking and gambling and sweets. Yet. But think of all the money that would bring in.
Taxing is a slippery slope; it's just a matter of time.
E-Mail
Print
