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Deception Is Root Cause Of America's Ills
IBD Editorials ^ | April 7, 2009 | Walter E. Williams

Posted on 04/07/2009 6:43:36 PM PDT by Kaslin

Most Americans accept the continuing attack on tobacco companies and smokers, but how do they feel about the massive government deception?

In 1998, 46 state attorneys general and major tobacco companies signed the Master Settlement Agreement.

The major tobacco companies agreed, among other things, to give states $240 billion over 25 years to provide for smoking cessation programs and cover the health costs associated with using their product.

In return, state attorneys general promised tobacco companies they wouldn't sue them and would use their lawmaking power to protect the major tobacco companies from competition from small tobacco companies.

Of the $80 billion extorted so far, states have spent about 30% on health, not all tobacco-related, and less than 6% on smoking cessation programs.

Instead, state legislatures spent the bulk of their tobacco money for items such as museum building, tax relief, rainy-day funds and other expenditures having nothing to do with tobacco or health.

The U.S. Congress' deception was, and continues to be, a major player in our financial meltdown.

(Excerpt) Read more at ibdeditorials.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: fascism; healthcare; medicare; nannystate; smoking; socialsecurity; tobacco

1 posted on 04/07/2009 6:43:36 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Deception and Denial.


2 posted on 04/07/2009 6:50:40 PM PDT by microgood
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To: Kaslin

We need to overthrow the MSM.


3 posted on 04/07/2009 6:58:43 PM PDT by roses of sharon (Pray Hussein fails!)
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To: Kaslin
Most Americans accept the continuing attack on tobacco companies and smokers, but how do they feel about the massive government deception?

Apparently most Americans haven't realized that when Big Tobacco no longer has available funds from which to steal, Congress will turn to the next group. And then the next. And then the next, ad infinitum. Once they regulate, tax or steal from enough there will no longer be anyone from whom they can extract funds, and America as we know it will be unable to return to its former glory.
4 posted on 04/07/2009 7:05:45 PM PDT by callisto (CONGRESS.EXE corrupted... Re-boot Washington D.C? (Y/N))
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To: Kaslin

Have you been to a bar where there is a smoking ban recently? Have you noticed differences in the way people socialize? The Nanny State is out of control.


5 posted on 04/07/2009 7:36:02 PM PDT by HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity
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To: Kaslin
Today's politicians are not likely to take measures to avoid the coming chaos because senior citizens, the major beneficiaries of Social Security and Medicare, vote in large numbers and will exact a high political price.

The seniors who are monopolizing a huge percentage of our tax dollars are supposed to be the greatest generation.

I think that's a load of bull.

6 posted on 04/07/2009 8:10:42 PM PDT by what's up
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To: Kaslin

Most problems begin with dishonesty, or are based on it!


7 posted on 04/08/2009 4:22:34 AM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (THE SECOND AMENDMENT, A MATTER OF FACT, NOT A MATTER OF OPINION)
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To: SWAMPSNIPER

Indeed.


8 posted on 04/08/2009 4:25:03 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for Obama: One Bad Ass Mistake America)
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