Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 18, 1994 TAG: 9407180011
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: JONESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
"Our appeal today is to the American public," said rally organizer Paul Repass, a Scott County farmer. "The American farmer has reached the endangered species status, and tobacco farmers are a very small minority to bear the burden of financing health care for the entire nation."
Burley and flue-cured tobacco farmers are fighting plans before Congress that could raise the excise tax on cigarettes to $1.25 per pack, up from the current rate of 24 cents.
Revenues from any tax increase would be used to help finance national health care reform proposals being pushed by the Clinton administration.
Saturday's rally was staged at the Cumberland Bowl Park, where about 600 of the farmers arrived on tractors. On cue, they revved their engines, creating a deafening noise intended to "send a message to Washington," organizers said.
Farmers said they were concerned that the future of their way of life had moved from an economic to a political debate.
C. Wayne Ashworth, president of the Virginia Farm Bureau, likened the tax to Prohibition.
"Yes, the health police are marching through the nation behind a smoke screen," Ashworth said.
Farmers shouldn't have to bear the entire burden for health care changes, said Ann Slemp, president of the Lee County Farm Bureau.
"If a 2-cent tax was put on everything that was manufactured or sold across the board, that would do as much" as the proposed tobacco tax increase, she said.
Politicians spoke at the rally, including Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, and his Republican challenger, Bluefield College mathematics Professor Steve Fast. Both assured the farmers their fight would not be in vain.
Republican U.S. Senate nominee Oliver North addressed the crowd while wearing a baseball cap emblazoned with the logo, "No Tax Increase."
"We do not need the tax increase that they're talking about right here," he said. "What we need is a new generation of leadership in Washington."
by CNB