Don’t Tax My Beer 2 Billion Dollars!

I love my Bud Light. I admit it is somewhat pedestrian and there is nothing fancy or micro brewed about it, but it is my beer of choice and I like it. So when I recently heard about the proposed plan in California to increase the excise tax on beer to raise 2 BILLION DOLLARS I was outraged. I know California is already a little crazy with all of their excise taxes, but this was to much.

California Assemblyman Jim Beall, D-San Jose is the main driving force behind this new legislation. “The fallout from alcohol consumption costs Californians nearly $36 billion a year in increased health costs, crime, lost productivity and injuries from accidents and abuse,” Beall said. “It’s time for the beer industry to help us with the staggering burden it has helped to create.” WHAT?!! Is it Anheuser Busch’s fault that that some people abuse their product? Also he is not only talking about the “beer industry” that will be effected by this. It is the beer CONSUMER like me who will have to pay the higher cost to enjoy a cold brew.

This is another blatant example of penalizing the general public for the acts of a few irresponsible people! Is he going to suggest next taxing Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft for being responsible for health problems and obesity in children? Just the medical problems directly associated with being fat and out of shape are far greater then those associated with beer. And these medical problems start very young and continue throughout the couch potato’s lives.

How about addressing the problem of illegal immigrants in California going to public schools, receiving health care, benefiting from our police, fire, and legal services and on and on and on. Why focus on beer when there are many more important issues? This is just stupid!

According to a statement from Beall’s office, the money could be used for “health and law enforcement services that must cope with the havoc — traffic accidents and fatalities, domestic violence, and illnesses — that is fueled by the alcohol industry.” The proposal would increase the tax on a six-pack of beer by $1.80, or 30 cents per can or bottle, according to a statement from Beall’s office.

“Other researchers have concluded that raising beer taxes not only minimizes drinking but reduces alcohol-associated problems such as broken families, venereal diseases, property damage, and birth defects caused by fetal alcohol syndrome,” Beall’s statement read.

It concerns me that this crazy thinking will spread to other states. And why not wine, or hard liquor? Why only beer? Why should I, A RESPONSIBLE DRINKER, who has never hit anyone or anything while drinking, does not have a broken family, or a venereal disease (that I know of), or birth defect, or have caused any negative damage anywhere due to my drinking, have to pay for this increase? Why should any responsible drinker have to? It makes no sense.