Posted on 04/27/2009 7:32:53 PM PDT by Eric Blair 2084
Sex. Smoking. Alcohol.
These are among the so-called sins the Texas Legislature is considering regulating -- for better or worse -- this session.
From a statewide smoking ban to a 10 percent tax on entry fees to sexually oriented businesses, lawmakers are looking at tightening restrictions.
"They are always looking at sins," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University. "There’s a heavy Baptist presence in Texas and the Legislature.
"They are very attuned to sins," he said. "And they always want to be 'agin’ it."
Maybe somewhere along the way, their actions can affect what some Texans do, said Jim Riddlesperger, a political science professor at Texas Christian University.
"Governments try to both change behavior and produce revenue from it," Riddlesperger said. "These are all behaviors that do not contribute to the wholesome growth of society."
With just weeks remaining in the 81st Legislature, time is dwindling for lawmakers to weigh in on the 2009 Sin Agenda.
Here’s a look at some of their efforts.
Smoking
Lawmakers are considering a statewide smoking ban in public places, including bars and restaurants.
Cities such as Fort Worth and Dallas already have local ordinances, but this one would create a uniform policy throughout Texas.
Supporters say it would help reduce lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases. Opponents say it would infringe on business and property owners’ rights.
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is one of several co-sponsors of the bill, and she said it’s about protecting Texans.
"It’s a public-health issue," Davis said. "It’s not about the person who makes a choice to go into these places but about protecting the people who work in those businesses. They have a dramatically increased risk of having cancer.
(Excerpt) Read more at star-telegram.com ...
The similarities between BO’s “New Direction Amerika” and Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich are chilling.
Richardson is currently considering a ban. Garland is one of the last cities in east DFW area without a ban. I’m pretty sure Grand Prairie (practically walking distance to new stadium) is still debating, last I heard.
“Grandstanding politicians are nothing new. Smokers are the minority in America. I’ll use the electric cigs from Europe. Then the politicos can figure out has to raise the tax money they’ve lost.”
After almost 35 years of at least a pack a day... I quit smoking on April 15th.
Partially it was because I wanted to breathe better, partially it was because my daughter is having a baby and I want to be around for my grandkids.
But a HUGE part of me quit to flip the bird to the GOV who just raised taxes AGAIN. Who in their right mind spends money now based on the taxes you are gonna collect in the future. And I am sick of the gov taxing the heck out of me to give to illegal aliens and lazy ppl.
$37.50 added tax per carton in my state. Cigs are approx $8.00 a pack.
Let’s see where they are gonna make up the tax money they are gonna lose on me!!!
(and yes, this is the hardest thing i have ever done in my life. But every time it gets really difficult, I think of Lautenberg, Menendez and Corzine... those Bastages!)
The problem with that is that we all use gubmint (really our money since gubmint only has what we give them) benefits.
Under liberal logic, we should all drive hybrids since we all use gubmint roads and highways.....oh jeez....I just gave the statists another idea.
I recommend that they look into drug, alcohol and dementia testing for politicians.
Well than, Grand Prairie will get my 5k of stimulus money in October.
But if you don’t smoke, where are the chilruns gonna get the money for healthcare through SCHIP? Think of the chilruns.
I can speak from a little experience on Chantix
My brother used it quit, no problem. I tried it and experience some the symptoms listed (it was also banned for pilots.) So, it depends on the person’s reaction.
My experience was if it’s going to have bad side effects, you know it right away - I foolishly continued and it just got worse. It is expensive, but I contacted the manufacturer and got a refund from them.
A road doesn’t have deep pockets. At least here.
Thanks for the ping!
Sounds like a great place! I'm here in the midwest for the duration, so don't take TOO many of those people from us, LOL!
“Texas is not the paradise some make it out to be”
Hey, hey, now!! Watch that crap!
At least they’re trying to bring gambling to all of Texas. (o{
Lance should quit being a playboy and take care of all those kids he helped make. (and STFU)
Thanks for the ping and remember the Alamo.
“Lance Armstrong is a great athlete who survived his cancer ordeal with grace and went on to win more races. ......He’s about the closest thing to a Supreme Being to come out of the human race (except for that One Guy 2000 years ago).”
Maybe physically, but certainly not emotionally, spiritually or intellectually.
When we successfully secede from the union we can put all the liberals in the stocks, and cut off the welfare benefits from the leeches, and they’ll all leave.
But don’t you feel like you’re giving in?
“But don’t you feel like you’re giving in?”
At first I did. I thought... Am I gonna let those goons force me to stop doing what I love??!! Am I gonna let them beat me and win??!
Then I thought...
Hmmm... I get to breathe better on the treadmill. I am now less winded when I walk up the stairs. I will get to spend more time with my grandkids and I save $10-12 per day.
What exactly am I losing?!
In addition to winning all of the above... The GOV cannot control that part of my life anymore. I am not giving in, I am taking power away from them. The biggest FU I could give them is to remove myself from their agenda. And, in this, I am not their tax sheeple anymore.
I only pray to God I can keep it going. It is REALLY rough sometimes. After 1.5 packs a day for 35 years... throwing them away cold turkey is the roughest thing I have ever done in my life... especially since the hubby still smokes.
But... again, it is worth it. And I wish 10,000 NJ smokers would join me and really send a message.
:)
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