The writings and portfolio of Jason Vance

Yesterday, I posted a call to action after reading some of the tweets on twitter. Some of you may have seen the people behind www.donttaxmybeer.com asking everyone to call their local elected officials and let them know what they think of more taxes being thrust upon them. I posted it to my email list, MySpace, Facebook accounts. I received a number of responses, one being negative and scolding me for using my business as a political platform. Many were quite positive. I did receive one that I took the time to carefully respond to her email. Below is the letter I received and what I responded with. I hope you think it’s worth the read.

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Date: Feb 17, 2009 7:27 PM

Subject: RE: Idaho: Don’t Tax my beer & wine

Body: I am a Va Va Voom fan and I work in the chemical dependency treatment arena. This money is slated to pay for treatment for those who are in need. As it stands, with priority lists the way it is, unless you are of color, pregnant, use needles or are a criminal justice client, you can’t get assistance to pay for treatment. That does not mean that I am for this… honestly, I am still stumped. Do you have any ideas on other options for assisting people trying terribly to contribute to society to get treatment. I am really, truly open to options for this. I have been asked to write a letter for this, and now by you, against. Do you have any ideas?

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My response below.

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Overall I have received many positive responses to this email and posting and one negative posting. I was touched by your email. I felt like I had to personally responded to you. Thank you for your time in responding to me. I’m honored that you asked me for some ideas.

I truly feel sorry for people whom suffer from “Chemical Addiction”.  I myself had a year and a half battle with a cocaine addiction some 13 years ago. I lost several six figure jobs during that time in my life. I almost lost the ability see my oldest daughter during that time. While I never did any formal treatment, I did have the support of my girlfriend, now my wife. So I do understand how hard it is to quit cold turkey.

My position is simple: I believe that it’s wrong to take by force money & property from one group of people and give it to another group of people. I personally am against all forms of welfare, whether it’s for politicians, corporations, foreign countries or even the poor.

I also believe that individuals have far more wisdom in knowing where their hard earned dollars should be given to over any government entity. Is one affliction or problem greater than the other? Whom are you to decide?

Do you really think that the government can fairly provide chemical addition treatment with more money? You said it yourself that unless you are of color, pregnant or stuck in the never ending unfairness of our justice system, your SOL. They can’t do it now, what makes you think that they will be able to provide better care in the future?

I am partial to private charities whom help children with Cystic Fibrosis, as my child suffers from the genetic problem. I do not believe that anyone should be forced to paying for my child or any other child whom suffers from this genetic defect. I do believe that the people whom are around children with Cystic Fibrosis are better off giving to charities of their choice and not being forced to give to one particular CF charity over another. When does it stop with the redistribution of wealth? Forcing one party to give to another is Socialism.

There is absolutely nothing wrong in helping other people with their afflictions and problems. However, I want to help them when I feel they are worthy of my help. It should be my decision to help them, when I can afford to help them.

A truly efficient and worthy charity is one whom believes in laissez-faire economics. The do not sit at the feet of the government waiting for one bureaucrat do give them redistributed wealth to them. They use free market tactics in running their charity. They depend upon the wisdom of people to bequests property and money to keep their organization running. The better they run the organization, the more private donations they will receive.

The increase in taxation for beer & wine is simply a way for the state to extort more money from their citizens. If your treatment center truly want’s to break the bonds of asking for government welfare, ask the people whom the Idaho State government is going to forcefully steal from for help.

I bet you’d be surprised at the number of people whom would volunteer, time money and resources in helping people in the chemical dependency arena.

I believe that there is good people in the world and those people will help if they are asked. However, I do not believe that there is good government in the world. Government is not the solution, they are the problem. Private donations from private people and organizations is the only way to run a treatment facility. Plus, don’t you want to break free from the State / Federal strings attached redistributed wealth?

I hope that I helped you in writing this response to you. I’m going to post this to my personal blog at jasonvance.net.

Good Luck,

Jason Vance
Va Va Voom Co Owner

Twitter http://twitter.com/vavavoomllc
Personal Twitter http://twitter.com/jasonvance

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My question to everyone is this:  What would you have responded with?