Taxation/Health Passed General Election
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PEAPAC Recommends: NO

Smoking is not per se evil (Spurgeon smoked); proceeds fund socialist medical programs; taxation is not the method to punish evil.

Summary

Increases tobacco taxes to fund the Oregon Health Plan.

Biblical Reasoning

This Measure fails to meet muster on several counts. First, it does not aid in the punishment of evildoers, unless we are willing to say that certain great men of the faith, such as the great reformed Baptist preacher C. H. Spurgeon, and the great Presbyterian theologian R. H. Thornwell, were engaging in evil when they enjoyed a good cigar! (This should not be read as an endorsement of cigars.)

Proverbs 28:16 — “The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.”

Election Results

56%
44%
YesNo

Voters approved the tobacco tax increase (56% Yes).

Full PEAPAC Analysis

This Measure fails to meet muster on several counts. First, it does not aid in the punishment of evildoers, unless we are willing to say that certain great men of the faith, such as the great reformed Baptist preacher C. H. Spurgeon, and the great Presbyterian theologian R. H. Thornwell, were engaging in evil when they enjoyed a good cigar! (This should not be read as an endorsement of cigars.)

Second, even if smoking was evil, it should then be outlawed, not taxed. Third, the proceeds goes for more unbiblical state programs, such as the Oregon Health Plan, socialist, collectivist medicine, paid for by your taxes. We strongly recommend a NO vote on this Measure.

← PreviousMeasure 43 (1996)