Posted on 06/11/2009 11:23:15 PM PDT by Deagle
Just another example of the Federal takeover of individual rights.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
No, No, No!
That is the scary part!
That does sound like a negative term...? Why do you use that to descride smokers?
Tobaccophobes: People who are against even the thought of tobacco and must insult and harass those who use tobacco to make them feel better about themselves.
If you smoke, youre not a tobaccophobe.
Oh yes! That is the Government response to any precieved problem...throw money...(our money)..
Have to say that your link did provide entertainment...heh...
JJ61
Totally against what I initially thought...heh...
I wonder how easy it is to grow?
Groth is left to the imagination of the reader. Me, I think that growth is exponential - way too fast for normal calculators...
Watch them scratch their heads when this scheme leads to a significant drop in tobacco tax revenue. What it the next tent these intrusive camels will stick their noses underneath?
I detest smoking. Have smoked less than a pack of cigarettes in 57 years. However, it is not a matter for the government to throw around their power! Land of the Free indeed... NOT!
Yep, you’re right, if they tax it, consummation will decrease. Not that it takes a scientist to figure that out, but obliviously, they thing that the gains will outweigh the taxes... They continue to learn the hard way, but this - they should have figured out already...
Yup. They have the same mentality as the ban your rights... San Francisco style.
JJ61
I dunno. What's your point with the "JJ61?" Is that supposed to be really cool or something?
“I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”
— James Madison
“The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.”
— Louis D. Brandeis
Even here at Free Republic there are non-smokers who cheer each time the government places more restrictions and taxes on tobacco products because they do not like tobacco or tobacco smoke.
But the larger issue is the encroaching government presence in our lives and loss of a little more personal freedom each time the government adds another restriction or tax.
By siding with the government to control tobacco smokers or gun owners, or to dictate conduct like the wearing of helmets or seat belts, or the ellimination of monkey bars and swings in play yards we have allowed them to divide us and enabled them to erode our freedoms in almost every area of life.
Some where along the line, especially since the LBJ years, Americans seem to have lost the understanding that we cannot have a free society if we grant government the power to restrict and control a particular legal behavior just because some people do not approve of it. Many never seem to consider that there are people somewhere who object to almost anything.
Americans have ignored the fact that we must protect the rights of every person from unwarranted government control because once we grant them the power to diminish a right they will use that power against us all.
Sadly we are far down that path and this is just another move to reduce our freedom even further.
Yes, I’m sorry to say that many - even here at FreeRepublic - tend to think in terms of their own situation rather than the Constitution or what actually effects all. I’m not sure how that happens or how to reach those folks, but am trying on a daily basis to get all to understand the underlying problems with our leadership. I really am at a standstill though since it seems that way too many here believe that our beloved government will (and should) solve our problems.
You who believe that deserve the assholes you elected...
Photoshop credit: Mike
On June 2, I called attention to the Democrats plans to complete a government tobacco takeover.
The next step took place today while America slept. Another day, another industry grab:
Congress struck the governments strongest anti-smoking blow in decades Thursday with a Senate vote to give regulators new power to limit nicotine in cigarettes, drastically curtail ads and ban candied tobacco products aimed at young people.
Cigarette foes say the changes could cut into the 400,000 deaths every year caused by smoking and reduce the $100 billion in annual health care costs linked to tobacco.
The legislation, one of the most dramatic anti-smoking initiatives since the U.S. surgeon generals warning 45 years ago that tobacco causes lung cancer, would give the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate the content, marketing and advertising of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Heres the <a href="http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00207#position">roll call vote. Only 17 Nays:
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