"Let the free market decide, instead of special-interest busybodies who con local governments into banning smoking."
Problem is that I get taxed to fund Medicare, Medicaid, etc so that those who choose to smoke can then get treated for bronchitis, lung cancer, MI, TIA, stroke, etc.
And the governments already tax the crap out of smokers to pay for that. In Fact the Congressinal Research Service determined many years ago (before all of the increased cig taxes) that smokers already paid more into the system than they will ever take out of it.
Although I agree with you and oppose socialist wealth redistribution programs in principle, smokers actually cost less in health care costs, because they die sooner, while non-smokers can rack up huge health care bills in managed end-of-life care for decades. (On average.)
"Problem is that I get taxed to fund Medicare, Medicaid, etc so that those who choose to smoke can then get treated for bronchitis, lung cancer, MI, TIA, stroke, etc."
What an idiotic statement.
Don't worry, the government will take care of you. All will be fine.
Yeah, and I get taxed to pay for people who choose to engage in sexual behaviour that leads to Aids and other diseases, abortions to which I'm opposed and liver transplants for boozers that hang out in "smoke free" bars for their health.
If anything, smokers are getting screwed because they pay into a Social Security System from which they may never collect. I think non-smokers should have to pay a higher SS premium since they will be collecting more benefits over a longer period of time.
Perhaps it would help you to understand if you would lay aside the fact that you dislike smokers. I think if you would concentrate on the fact that these smoking bans are taking away the rights of bar owners to conduct their business as they see fit, then perhaps you wouldn't support these bans.
Do you really believe that the government has the right to tell you, a private property owner, what you can and cannot do on your own property? Take smoking out of the equation long enough to realize that this is an attack against ALL private property owners and private businesses.
Those diseases only happen to smokers??? Apparently not, since my ex-sister-in-law had lung cancer and never smoked a day in her life!!!!
"Problem is that I get taxed to fund Medicare, Medicaid, etc so that those who choose to smoke can then get treated for bronchitis, lung cancer, MI, TIA, stroke, etc."
So why aren't you campaigning instead for medicare not to treat all smoking-related diseases? I'll support you all the way!
Or are you just blowing smoke up our collective skirts?
I eat healthy food. I'll send you a copy of my diet, and you must adhere to it. You must also engage in whatever exercise regimen I choose for you. You must eliminate alcohol, saturated fat, and chocolate from your diet. After all, I'm being taxed to pay for your healthcare. You might choose to pay for your own healthcare, but that's beside the point. I'm still being taxed in case you need government healthcare. So you must follow my rules.
Um-hmm...and if nobody smokes, everybody's gonna live forever!!!
Huh?
Fat nonsmokers cost a ton more in health care costs than healthy smokers.
That problem was already taken care of by the tobacco lawsuits.....Your concern now is getting your Fed Govt.to pay your state for the alleged medical costs...... LOL!
Hello! We pay for Medicare, etc. too, even for the morbidly obese, the chronic alcoholic, meth users, and lots of other self-destructive behaviours. I find it amazing that in my employment history, with exposure to rock dust, creosote fumes, acid fumes, and aromatic hydrocarbons, among other pulmonary irritants, that cigarettes alone get all the credit for any lung problems I may have. A large number of smokers work in blue-collar environments where such occupational exposures are commonplace. While I will grant that smoking is not good for my lungs, this is more junk science.
Problem is that smokers already are paying for the enormous sums extracted by the tobacco lawsuits, ostensibly to offset the 'extra' we supposedly cost everyone. That money has been almost universally pissed away on anything and everything BUT the alleged greater health care costs for smokers which were used as an excuse to extract all that money from OUR pockets, not yours.
In the meantime, we pay extra for health, life, auto and homeowners insurance because we smoke.
So spare us the disingenous crap about YOU paying for all of us decrepit smokers.
"Let the free market decide, instead of special-interest busybodies who con local governments into banning smoking."
Problem is that I get taxed to fund Medicare, Medicaid, etc so that those who choose to smoke can then get treated for bronchitis, lung cancer, MI, TIA, stroke, etc.
Problem is, i get taxed to fund Medicare, Medicaid ect... so that those who choose to drink and drive can then cause choas in other people's lives.
You sure you want to head down that slippery slope? It's insanely selfish of you to pull an attitude like that, with the myriad abuses that we ALL pay for through government health care. Would you next suggest we ban anything with sugar, because, after all, my taxes fund dental care for those who abuse it.
Either make tobacco illegal, or let people have places where they can go and socialize and smoke. Don't like smelling like smoke? DON'T GO THERE. It's like going to a gay bar and complaining that there's too many gay men there!