Beer taxes on the rise

The neo-puritans who believe that someone, somewhere is having fun and must be stopped, have largely won the cigarette battle. In the same way that we soon be sending any fiction writer who writes of a violent act to counseling, we have made cigarettes so expensive that only politicians, drug dealers and brain surgeons can afford them. Since the tobacco companies are dying, politicians need a new source of tax revenue. Since politicians are of pure moral character and don't drink or smoke or associate with those that do, they are beginning to think about raising beer taxes. Their not planning to raise taxes on their wines and champagnes, oh no! That would affect them. They are smart enough to be able to handle their alcohol. You and I, on the other hand, aren't smart enough to know that alocohol affects our judgment, so they intend to raise taxes to both treat alcoholics and reduce consumption. That's one magic tax, folks!

Here's a partial list of States considering raising beer taxes on the not wealthy (ie. stupid), with links to news stories: North Dakota, Rhode Island, Michigan, and Oregon (this magic tax will fund the state police, too).

Once they stop us from smoking and drinking, what will they tax next?