Welfare

[Dan]

Nope, no one has to smoke, but if one does it's a factor in their budget. No one has to go shopping either, but people cross the state line to save 2%.

As Al said, "Yes, Ab-solutely!"

2% is just the difference in the sales tax rate. To give an example of the effect taxes have on cigarettes, Newports are around $4.75 in Mass and around $5.31 in RI. Check that math. A pack a day and you're driving to Seekonk!

notice food sales are not taxed.

Don't give them any bright ideas, this is a public forum!

[Garris]

Can we at least distinguish between unions here? Public or private sector? Representing the middle class, or the garment workers/janitors/hotel workers/child care providers who earn minimum wage? Lumping all unions together is really unfair.

Well, any lumping together is always unfair. In my personal experience with unions (both in public and private medical settings), they've both been nearly equally as bad. The public unions have tended to be worse, but the private unions have tended to be more petty and political. As always, your miles may vary.

I think the problems really start to happen when people are more loyal and focused on union rules then they are on the jobs they are doing. Unions should be providing basic safeguards, not micromanaging the flow of an employees work day...

- Garris