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If you don't do so already, the controlling political party in Washington State cordially invites you to eat more candy, chew more gum and drink more bottled water and beer. All for a "good" cause.
The Seattle Times says, "Washingtonians: It's time to stand up, be counted and develop a few bad habits, if you don't have them already."
New taxes on candy, gum, bottled water and beer take effect today.
Those who passed the new taxes say it will bring in an additional $122 million to help toward the $2.8 billion they don't have.
Need to raise more tax revenue? The "candy man" can.
This new tax scheme is essentially brought to you by the same elected officials who find life support from gambling and lottery dollars, demand that the gaming industry provide counseling for those who do it too much, while they themselves are addicted to its revenue.
Some of these elected leaders, only last year, were suggesting the state increase the number of state run liquor stores to increase revenue to the state. Drink more alcohol ---save the state.
And there are those who want to legalize marijuana. They say this will provide a high income stream to the state. And the marijuana can be sold through the state run liquor stores. That would be a new, "people helping people" concept.
In a way, the new candy tax highlights the confused and flawed thinking behind such money raising schemes. The government's inability to properly define "candy" highlights a greater lack of being able to define themselves and their proper roll in every aspect of our lives.
Under the "candy plan" Aplets and Cotlets, those little fruit based things made over in Cashmere that some of us have been eating since we were kids, are considered candy. Fortunately, my mom thought they were good nutrition.
Kit Kats and Twix are not candy. You only thought they were.
Greg Taylor, owner of Liberty Orchards, maker of Aplets and Cotlets, understandably doesn't like this new tax.
"Candy" is defined as not containing flour. Taylor's products do not contain flour and will be taxed. Kit Kat and Twix contain a wafer made from flour, therefore they are not "candy". And not taxable.
Imagine this: You own a store that sells candy and items previously known as candy. How many honest mistakes will your part time employees make, even after you have trained them on what is and what is not candy? How will you know what is and what is not candy. Will the state publish a candy reference guide? Will you need to read all the labels? What if a manufacturer changes its formula slightly? Will they contact you personally? How much will those mistakes cost the business owner? Will the state do candy enforcement stings?
The bad news. Washington State does not have good leadership in the majority.
The good news. You get to vote this year. You can change much of that. Think of it as having your candy and eating it too.
God bless you.
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Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom
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