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As a service to the pipe smoking community and the industry of pipe makers and pipe tobacco producers we have set up a free service that will automatically send emails to your Senators and Congressmen.
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipe-news/stop-the-pipe-tobacco-tax/
Ok, guys, who took action on this?
I did also. And I believe we all need to!! If I remember right there was something called a constitution that said "the persuit of happiness" I think this applies
I just finished signing the petition and discovered that 8 others from Pennsylvania signed, also ..... I hope there are a lot more reading the forum and their email who will take action before it is too late ..... Enough is enough, already !!!
so sorry guys, but im in nz so i cant vote = i did however post this on another forum i frequent so hoping there will be some people who care on there...
this sucks arse.
I already sent my e-mails. This government is out of control.
Is it me or is this the same thing that happened to the Colonist 200+ years ago.
Very frustrating!!
Thanks for setting this up were its easy to do. I sent links to friends. I encourage evreyone to use this.
This is crazy! We all knew this may happen, it is just so cheap for 'roll your own' smokers to use Carter Hall and Prince Albert.
Did it and posted the link to http://www.christianpipesmokers.net . Now in a debate about whether it's worth it to fight or we should just roll over and let our employees in Congress run that part of our lives too.
~U NF
I signed it and also paid to have letters hand delivered to them.
It only costs $3.00 per letter and I have 3 so called representatives so , it cost me $9.00. That is just the cost of 1 tin of tobacco and is well worth it.
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Just got this in my e-mail:
January 28, 2010
Philip McCall
P.O. Box XXXX
Rawlins, Wyoming 82301
Dear Philip:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your tax reform priorities. It is good to hear from you. I rely on your insight and will take your views about specific tax policies into consideration as Congress takes up legislation dealing with the tax code.
Since my arrival to Congress as the lone U.S. Representative from the State of Wyoming, there have been several proposals to raise taxes on hard-working American families. In submitting his inaugural budget to Congress, President Obama proposed raising taxes by $1.5 trillion dollars, including a $646 billion tax on the entire population's energy consumption. Congressional Democrats, in addition to advancing the President's energy agenda, are moving to finance a massive expansion of government-run healthcare with potential taxes not just on energy consumption, but also on small businesses, individuals, private health insurance premiums, soda, alcohol and tobacco. It seems that nothing is beyond the reach of federal taxation in order to fuel the President's social agenda.
There is never a good time to raise taxes, but it would be particularly harmful to do so during the current economic downturn. The most effective way to stimulate the economy is allowing every American family to keep more of the money they earn. I have cosponsored several pieces of legislation to provide tax relief for all our country's citizens, including the Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act (H.R. 470) to get us out of this recession. H.R. 470 couples tax reductions for all Americans and businesses with a 1 percent across-the-board cut for all discretionary spending except for national defense and veterans. Cutting taxes and spending is a proven approach to stimulating the economy.
I have also cosponsored Representative Paul Ryan's H.R. 782, the Taxpayer Choice Act, which would repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). The AMT was created in 1969 to prevent 155 wealthy taxpayers from exploiting loopholes in the tax code. Because it was never indexed for inflation, next year this tax will subject close to 30 million more taxpayers to an automatic tax increase if Congress fails to act. Congress has and will likely continue to enact short term fixes to the AMT to prevent it from going into effect, though I would prefer to fix it permanently.
The tax code has become increasingly complex over the years and affects everyone differently. I frequently hear from Wyoming citizens about its complexity and inequities. H.R. 782 recognizes this complexity and would give citizens the choice to use a more simplified and predictable tax system. I realize this is one of many tax reform proposals, including calls for a flat tax or national sales tax. But I think everyone can agree that the current system is broken. I am committed to working with my colleagues to reduce and simplify America's tax burden.
Thank you again for writing me. Please do not hesitate to contact me whenever issues arise that are of importance to you, and I look forward to seeing you in Wyoming.
Sincerely,
z
Cynthia M. Lummis
Member of Congress
That's a great response Phil!
I haven't got any responses. Has anyone else?
I have not got a response yet, but the one Phil got is pretty nice. Hopefully the rest of them will listen as well.
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I would think I would get another one from the others.
I sent my petitions to my two useless Senators and one useless Congressman. They are all rank and file with Palosie and Obama so I don't know what good it will do. I highly doubt that I will get a response from any of them since I feel like I am the lone Republican in the entire state of New York.
pipeganster said
I feel like I am the lone Republican in the entire state of New York.
I found this interesting article.
This site has a link to Pipesmagazine.com.
It's called:
Dr. Bob's Diagnosis.
It's worth reading.
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Gangster, That's how I feel in Iowa... I wonder what will happen to Nat Sherman?
Here is my Message From Mrs Kay Hagan
Dear Friend,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts and opinions. Since taking office, I have received an overwhelming number of calls and emails from North Carolinians like you who are ready to take an active part in our government. I appreciate each and every call and email. With our country facing some of its toughest challenges in a generation, your phone calls and messages are an important factor guiding my work here in Washington. Please be assured that we will get back to you as soon as possible regarding your specific concern.
I would like to take this opportunity to share my website with you. Please visit http://Hagan.Senate.Gov to find contact information for my offices and to stay updated as my new state offices open. You can also find information there about what I've been doing in North Carolina and Washington. It is an honor to serve as your United States Senator and I sincerely hope you will not hesitate to contact me at any time to share your concerns and voice your opinions on our country's most pressing issues.
Sincerely,
Kay R. Hagan
United States Senator, North Carolina
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Well at least you got one Ghost...
Ya but I was kinda hoping I would get a letter from someone of the other party.
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Can we say "AVOIDING" the issue... But she's too busy! Oh, don't forget, she said she is your friend! HA HA!
I have not heard anything from any of my Illinois Reps which is what I expected. Any of our people going to St. Louis????
[quote]Can we say "AVOIDING" the issue... But she's too busy! Oh, don't forget, she said she is your friend! HA HA!
I am sure this is just a generic letter they send to everyone b/c I didn't vote for her.
Anonymous
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Mine at least had my name and address on it... Move west young man, move west...
At this exact moment in time here's the update on the numbers:
4,750 People Have Sent 10,248 Letters and Emails.
ghost45 - Ahh my Favorite Tobacco store has Joined the fight you can sign a second Petition now if you like.
McCranies
They are linking to our petition. It's the same one.
I am glad as I do not know why we need a bunch of others like I have seen, which are quite amateurish, and do not email the representatives. They just collect a bunch of names on a web page which does nothing.
I have sent about five e-mails to my Tennessee reps, no response. I find it ironic that tobacco along with cotton built the south and these two "men" from Tennessee are the ones who wrote this. Goes to show what the bright people from Memphis, TN will elect into office,It makes me feel bad for living here. Hopefully this will be shot down and we all can continue to enjoy are favorite tobaccos in are favorite pipes. For now enjoy your smoke.
ghost45, thats the exact same respones I got from Hagan, I don't know which is worse that generic blow off or the silence from the other reps
Still no response from my Reps.
You have to track the SOBS down or you get a link to thier propaganda letter .You have to go to meetings of local party affillation of your choice .
What day do they vote on this bill and what day would it take a effect if it passes?
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It's a secret... they are trying to be sneaky... AS always!
Here's a good article on this written by a college professor.
It starts, "I am a college professor. My job description therefore requires that, among other things, I wear a tweed sport coat with leather elbow patches, grow a beard, spend two days a week in the classroom, and smoke a pipe.
That last essential trait is now under attack..."
If you want to track the progress of this bill, there is a nice little service.
One of our members emailed me asking how to do so, and I thought I should just let everyone know:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-4439
People I have talked to say they do not think the bill will make it out of committee.
Let's hope they are right.
As of this writing 5,739 People Have Sent 12,385 Letters and Emails.
Thanks for the Update Kevin
[quote]People I have talked to say they do not think the bill will make it out of committee.
That is very good news if it is true.
I finally got a response, from on of my state senators. He is a Republican and sounds willing to oppose this if it makes it out of committee. I have attached a copy of his response.
Dear Mr. Henson,
Thank you for contacting my office about opposing H.R. 4439, the Tobacco Tax Parity Act of 2010. Your input is important to me and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts.
I understand your concern that such a proposal would result in a dramatic cost increase for products that many Americans enjoy every day and could potentially negatively affect small businesses who sell tobacco products. The Tobacco Tax Parity Act is currently in the House Committee on Ways and Means. Should the bill be introduced into the Senate, the insights you have provided will certainly help my staff and me as we look into the issue.
Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me.
Sincerely,
Bob Corker
United States Senator
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Well... Looks good...
I still have heard nothing from my letters.....
I haven't received any responses either, but at least some people did.
I have received generic letters from Russ Feingold, Steve Kagen and Herb Kohl (Wisconsin Senators) when sending a question regarding the proposed new tax increase on pipe tobacco. But at least it’s worth trying got get your voice heard. I have also ranted about recent developments in my blogs this month. For shameless self-promotion I have include the links below. I apologize for blog length but hey, that’s just what I do.
http://pipesmagazine.com/thecigarsoldier/pipe-news/hello-world/
http://www.cigarnightonline.com/2010/02/more-fn-taxes/
http://pipesmagazine.com/thecigarsoldier/pipe-news/ets-ths-and-tsnas/
http://www.cigarnightonline.com/2010/02/ets-ths-tsnas/
no response here either 
Even though I have not received a response, I am glad that I sent the letters. I will continue sending letters regards anti tobacco legislation and any others bills etc. that I disagree with. Even if they don't respond, at least I know that I let them know how I feel and where I stand on the subject.
Can anyone give me any kind of an idea about what kind of impact this will make on retail/e-tail prices? I know that the whole outcome is nebulous, and subject to both underestimation and extension, but as a new smoker without any kind of collection I feel compelled to begin stockpiling.
Say a tin sells for 8.50 today. Will it be $15 dollars after the tax increase?
My biggest concern is that, even though I've been trying to learn what I like, I'm so new that I know my tastes will develop. I dont want to stockpile stuff I dont want, but I also dont want to be in the discovery phase during the highest increase in retail price and disruption to distribution.
Who knows where prices are going? But with regard to stockpiling, someone whose tastes are still evolving has a bit of a problem hedging against the future.
One strategy would be to go to TobaccoReviews.com's search page and search for 4-star blends that have a lot of reviews. Then at least, you know that a consensus exists, and that a lot of people found a particular blend worthwhile. Read the descriptions and sort them out into broad categories like: Aromatic, English, Scottish, Balkan, American, etc.; then buy-up representative tins.
Another strategy would employ the same searching, but sort them out into tobacco varieties like: Virginia types, Burleys, Vapers, Orientals, Latakia-laced, Perique-laced, aromatics, or top-dressed. Again, try to buy representative blends.
Most brands try to cover everybody's tastes, so you can buy "one-of-each" of the offerings from Cornell & Diehl, GLPease, Hearth & Home, Two Friends, McClelland, Stokkebye, Rattray's (and dozens more!) -- but you're looking at a huge investment of capital. Fortunately tinned and jarred tobacco will stay viable for decades; and a $1000 cellar today would be worth $7000 in the purported future.
Chances are if you diversify, your evolving sense of taste will, with time, lead you through all the varieties you have purchased; and sooner or later your taste buds will "come around." Also note that the elusive "perfect-for-me" blend doesn't exist for very long anyway. Like women, no matter how sexy and hot, you'll always hanker for a little "strange", IYKWIM
Well, that's my 2¢ worth. I'm eager to hear how others would deal with the issue.
I already have too much tobacco in my own personal inventory.
As far as prices go, keep in mind that you also have local taxes if you buying from a B&M. With the Florida state sales tax on tobacco, I am already paying $16 for a tin that goes for $8.50 online.
There have been some other discussions on predicting the prices increase as related to HR4439.
I think your guess of $15 a tin from $8.50 is about right.
You might want to read this article:
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/put-that-in-your-pipe/dont-tread-on-pipe-tobacco-or-anything-else/
Whenever I try to stockpile, my pile disappears very quickly.
in last weeks Business Digest they posted:
"The US Government collected $ 20.6 BILLION in taxes on alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition in fiscal 2009, up 41% from the previous year."
So where did all that money go?
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