Although not a "lifer" in terms of my connection with tobacco, I cannot help but feel that today's smoker is getting more than a bum rap when it comes to politically-correct societal views and health institute-funded "studies" of its actual effects. I recently saw testimony on television of hearings on a statewide ban of public smoking. One "deer in the headlights" woman tired to proclaim that she felt "persecuted," in not being able to go wherever she wanted to, without having to inhale dreaded secondhand smoke.
Where in the constitution does it state everyone's right to have what they consider perfect conditions? I guess for some, this proposed legislation will start that process. But beware, for now it's just that foul-smelling tobacco or dirty "chew." How long before the insurance actuaries and their board of directors decide what the perfect cholesterol and weight is for everyone? Oh, that's right, they already have! It's just going to take a little longer for what the perfect body and lifestyle for everyone should be, to be accepted. I am not perfect in this category, either, but I guess the libertarian in me has decided that nobody gets out alive, no matter how good your quality of life by science's standards is.
Ironically, I do intend to stop smoking, but it's not so much for my own good as it is an economic factor, necessitated by an abhorrent increase in "pleasure taxes." I wouldn't mind for a second if that tax money actually was being spent on smoking cessation programs and health costs, as it was earmarked for. But no matter how many major settlements from the tobacco companies Wisconsin receives, we invariably lump it and tobacco taxes into the general fund to cover constant mismanagement and shortfalls there. With an ever-increasing multi-billion dollar deficit, why does that Democratic-controlled Legislature want to cut revenues? Don't tell me that the benefits outweigh the costs, because we all know that if no one in the state smoked, there would be some other reason why health and insurance expenses continue to rise beyond the rate of inflation.
Where in the constitution does it state everyone's right to have what they consider perfect conditions? I guess for some, this proposed legislation will start that process. But beware, for now it's just that foul-smelling tobacco or dirty "chew." How long before the insurance actuaries and their board of directors decide what the perfect cholesterol and weight is for everyone? Oh, that's right, they already have! It's just going to take a little longer for what the perfect body and lifestyle for everyone should be, to be accepted. I am not perfect in this category, either, but I guess the libertarian in me has decided that nobody gets out alive, no matter how good your quality of life by science's standards is.
Ironically, I do intend to stop smoking, but it's not so much for my own good as it is an economic factor, necessitated by an abhorrent increase in "pleasure taxes." I wouldn't mind for a second if that tax money actually was being spent on smoking cessation programs and health costs, as it was earmarked for. But no matter how many major settlements from the tobacco companies Wisconsin receives, we invariably lump it and tobacco taxes into the general fund to cover constant mismanagement and shortfalls there. With an ever-increasing multi-billion dollar deficit, why does that Democratic-controlled Legislature want to cut revenues? Don't tell me that the benefits outweigh the costs, because we all know that if no one in the state smoked, there would be some other reason why health and insurance expenses continue to rise beyond the rate of inflation.
