Some ideas for raising revenue

Some ideas for raising revenue

One of the great things about living in a democratic republic such as we have here in Illinois and in the USA is that we elect others to do our thinking for us. We can stay out of a heap of trouble that way. Accordingly, one of the brilliant ideas coming out of Springfield is the proposed dollar-a-pack cigarette tax.

Now, while the added cost of smokes might deter some puffers from puffing, we could always place a redeemable coupon in each pack of smokes that would allow the smoker to deduct that same dollar from their income tax. That would encourage more folks to smoke a lot more and increase the revenue stream.

I was going to suggest that we allow politicians to place their picture on the cigarette packs, too. We could charge them a dollar a pack for that privilege, but my wife advised me that seeing that picture might deter people from smoking.

And in these troubled times we must not forget the elderly homeowners who are losing their homes to the unfunded pensions that have been promised to freeloading and double-dipping public officials. Of course promises made are promises that should be kept, so we can't do much about that, but how about selling the troubled elderly “begging licenses.” Instead of moaning and complaining and lollygagging at the bingo halls and the landlocked riverboats, the elderly could line up along our streets and byways with their outstretched tin cups in hand and enhance their income substantially.

Of course they would have to file the proper paperwork and report all income. We wouldn't want any cheats or freeloaders among our citizens, would we? After all, honesty has been said to be the best policy for many of us.

Joseph Russell Vannier

Hoffman Estates