Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle says cigarette tax is designed to get people to quit smoking

[youou]

youre outa here wrote:

<quoted text>
Just quit smoking, That'll show them.

good one......but that won't work...it makes too much sense.

[Happy Contented Soul]

youou wrote:

<quoted text>
And so will the other thousands of bans US wise. Dreamer...nothing but a dreamer...fa...wishing he was youou...
It must suck to be you and it must suck to be a butt next to you...because sooner or later..you are going to suck it.

http://tinyurl.com/dxxane

[Happy Contented Soul]

youou wrote:

<quoted text>
CB..this denying drug addict only cares for himself. You are smart enough to see his conniving ways. I have read way too much to like him...he is about him.
He will hide behind "freedoms" and "businesses"...but bottom line...this low pay receiving addict care for only #1.

http://tinyurl.com/dxxane

[Free_America]

youou wrote:

<quoted text>
CB..this denying drug addict only cares for himself. You are smart enough to see his conniving ways. I have read way too much to like him...he is about him.
He will hide behind "freedoms" and "businesses"...but bottom line...this low pay receiving addict care for only #1.

This has been an anti-public service announcement from a deadbeat suckling at the government teat.

[Free_America]

youou wrote:

<quoted text>
good one......but that won't work...it makes too much sense.

Better yet buy bootleg. Buy everything over the internet bypassing all sales tax on everything until the state dissolves tobacco control and triples the taxes on anti's and providing a true level playing field.

[CB can see both sides]

spurs09 wrote:

that sorry sack of _sh**___wants to raise our taxes by $.75 a pack to pay for health insurence,for some welfair mom with a shi* load of kids,why is it our respounsibility to pay for their health care insururence?If them welfair cases want to have all them baby's they should pay for their own health care!

Not only "welfare moms" but middle class and lower class who can't afford medical insurance. I realize I'am about to catch a lot of flack over this next statement but so be it. In my opinion, tobacco use and harmful drug addiction both create such a horrendous effect on America, that I believe tobacco use should be rendered illegal and the users prosecuted.

[ellen421]

CB can see both sides wrote:

<quoted text>Not only "welfare moms" but middle class and lower class who can't afford medical insurance. I realize I'am about to catch a lot of flack over this next statement but so be it. In my opinion, tobacco use and harmful drug addiction both create such a horrendous effect on America, that I believe tobacco use should be rendered illegal and the users prosecuted.

You are a Communist....and NO I don't smoke cigarettes or use drugs. You are still a Communist.

[CB can see both sides]

ellen421 wrote:

<quoted text>You are a Communist....and NO I don't smoke cigarettes or use drugs. You are still a Communist.

Would you please expand on your comment: "You are still a Communists,"

Do you not agree we as a nation would be a healthier nation without the use of illegal drugs and proven cancer causing tobacco? Just asking.

[Free_America]

CB can see both sides wrote:

<quoted text>Would you please expand on your comment: "You are still a Communists,"
Do you not agree we as a nation would be a healthier nation without the use of illegal drugs and proven cancer causing tobacco? Just asking.

Those that have a clue know that ban's or prohibitions don't work and are not conducive to a free society but proceed comrade.

[Happy Contented Soul]

Jane and Arlene are outside their nursing home, having a drink and a smoke, when it starts to rain. Jane pulls out a condom, cuts off the end, puts it over her cigarette, and continues smoking.

Arlene : What in the hell is that?

Jane: A condom. This way my cigarette doesn't get wet.

Arlene : Where did you get it?

Jane: You can get them at any drugstore.

The next day, Arlene hobbles herself into the local drugstore and announces to the pharmacist that she wants a box of condoms.

The pharmacist, obviously embarrassed, looks at her kind of strangely (she is after all, over 80 years of age), but very delicately asks what brand of condom she prefers.

'Doesn't matter Sonny, as long as it fits on a Camel.'

The pharmacist fainted.

[Anndee]

Bang wrote:

When the smokers all stop.
Who will be next, fat people??
Put that tax on a whooper!!!

They are just set it up for National Health care.
People will be excluded from care if they live certain lifestyles.
Smokers, those that live risky lifestyles will be excluded.
Palaitive care= no treatment maybe pain medication if your lucky.
your future with National Healthcare!

[ellen421]

CB can see both sides wrote:

<quoted text>Would you please expand on your comment: "You are still a Communists,"
Do you not agree we as a nation would be a healthier nation without the use of illegal drugs and proven cancer causing tobacco? Just asking.

Of course, we would be healthier. That could be said of a lot of things. You cannot control people's lives in the way that you suggest. Make tobacco use illegal? It will never happen and it shouldn't. I don't care who smokes or how much. That is none of my business or yours. I choose not to smoke, so I don't want to breathe it. I respect anyone's right to smoke as long as they respect that I don't want to breathe it myself. Anyway, I am totally against the government intervening in the personal lives of the citizens of this country. Heck, most of them can't run their own lives. You should wake up and realize what you are advocating. Give 'em an inch, and they'll take a mile. Try life in China or North Korea for a while and you might change your mind.

[CB can see both sides]

Free_America wrote:

<quoted text>Those that have a clue know that ban's or prohibitions don't work and are not conducive to a free society but proceed comrade.

Positive progress might be slow but if we start now in 20 years, you that have no clue may realize tobacco kills. I know their are still people who believe that tobacco is not a "killer." Lets use an example: The only means in "curing" a disease is by blood letting. Would you still agree with that theory or are you happy someone realized how deadly that procedure was. Or oh well, let em die. In my opinion thats ridiculous.

[CB can see both sides]

ellen421 wrote:

<quoted text>Of course, we would be healthier. That could be said of a lot of things. You cannot control people's lives in the way that you suggest. Make tobacco use illegal? It will never happen and it shouldn't. I don't care who smokes or how much. That is none of my business or yours. I choose not to smoke, so I don't want to breathe it. I respect anyone's right to smoke as long as they respect that I don't want to breathe it myself. Anyway, I am totally against the government intervening in the personal lives of the citizens of this country. Heck, most of them can't run their own lives. You should wake up and realize what you are advocating. Give 'em an inch, and they'll take a mile. Try life in China or North Korea for a while and you might change your mind.

So let me ask you a question, why do we strive for anything better, should we just let America stay stagnent. Why do we even have a health department, or educational improvement, welfare reform, Center for Disease Control?

I thought my America was a leader in improving the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Why wouldn't everyone want this?

[ellen421]

CB can see both sides wrote:

<quoted text>So let me ask you a question, why do we strive for anything better, should we just let America stay stagnent. Why do we even have a health department, or educational improvement, welfare reform, Center for Disease Control?
I thought my America was a leader in improving the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Why wouldn't everyone want this?

Being a leader, without being a dictator, is what a free society can strive for. The agencies you speak of can serve the purpose of educating the public at large. Education needs to start at a young age on the perils of smoking tobacco. But, you cannot place tobacco in the same class as illicit drugs or alcohol. Tobacco is not mind-altering. Just like you cannot force people to eat in a more healthy manner, you cannot force people to give up cigarettes. You cannot live other people's lives for them. Maybe your issue is an unhealthy urge to control. You ask why wouldn't all people want this. People, in general, do what they want to and don't appreciate being told what to do. It is the nature of the beast. Is Obama your man? He smokes. This tax is unfair and is not designed to get people to quit smoking. It is designed to collect money. Period.

[CB can see both sides]

ellen421 wrote:

<quoted text>Being a leader, without being a dictator, is what a free society can strive for. The agencies you speak of can serve the purpose of educating the public at large. Education needs to start at a young age on the perils of smoking tobacco. But, you cannot place tobacco in the same class as illicit drugs or alcohol. Tobacco is not mind-altering. Just like you cannot force people to eat in a more healthy manner, you cannot force people to give up cigarettes. You cannot live other people's lives for them. Maybe your issue is an unhealthy urge to control. You ask why wouldn't all people want this. People, in general, do what they want to and don't appreciate being told what to do. It is the nature of the beast. Is Obama your man? He smokes. This tax is unfair and is not designed to get people to quit smoking. It is designed to collect money. Period.

Yes I agree education does need to start at an early age, but with the childs parents,siblings, and peers all smoking legally isn't it that much more difficult.
I do not believe this has anything to do with an "unhealthy control" issue. I have witnessed the devestating effects of both drug and tobacco abuse.
Also nicotene is not only a very potent drug but a very highly addicting drug. And yes tobacco is a mind altering drug not to the extent of more potent, but the "pep" experienced fron nicotene does effect the thought process.

And if your refering to President Obama as "my man." It amazes me as intelligient as he is that he smokes. Yes he should absolutely stop not only for his health but perception.

[ellen421]

CB can see both sides wrote:

<quoted text>Yes I agree education does need to start at an early age, but with the childs parents,siblings, and peers all smoking legally isn't it that much more difficult.
I do not believe this has anything to do with an "unhealthy control" issue. I have witnessed the devestating effects of both drug and tobacco abuse.
Also nicotene is not only a very potent drug but a very highly addicting drug. And yes tobacco is a mind altering drug not to the extent of more potent, but the "pep" experienced fron nicotene does effect the thought process.
And if your refering to President Obama as "my man." It amazes me as intelligient as he is that he smokes. Yes he should absolutely stop not only for his health but perception.

No doubt that nicotine is highly potent. And let's not forget all of the other harmful chemicals such as arsenic that are in cigarettes. I do not agree, however, that the "pep" as you call it experienced from smoking alters the thought process. On the contrary, it is about equal to a strong cup of coffee. It doesn't deem you any less capable of making rational decisions or affect something like your ability to drive. I think you may be missing my point here. That is to say, that we cannot police everything. No one has the right to control other people's lives that way. Many Americans have fought and died for us to have simple liberties like being able to attend a church of our choice or not to attend at all. There are many things you may argue are not healthy or not good for people to be exposed to, junk food, pornography, and the list goes on and on. Still, it's about being free to live our lives the way we as individuals see fit. Too much government interference and it starts to sound like a communist existence. I don't support any new tax ever! This one is particularly alarming because it singles out a specific group--prejudice against smokers. Like they need more of our money, Hell, look at how they handle the billions they aleady have. What a joke!!

[Psd in WI]

A free society will strive to teach the people to live a healthy life.
A Marxist or communist society will use the fact that something is un healthy to tax the hell out of the people, while the government is making more money from the habit than any one else.
Anti smoking zelots and Doyle the leader Of the socialist party are communist.

[CB can see both sides]

ellen421 wrote:

<quoted text> No doubt that nicotine is highly potent. And let's not forget all of the other harmful chemicals such as arsenic that are in cigarettes. I do not agree, however, that the "pep" as you call it experienced from smoking alters the thought process. On the contrary, it is about equal to a strong cup of coffee. It doesn't deem you any less capable of making rational decisions or affect something like your ability to drive. I think you may be missing my point here. That is to say, that we cannot police everything. No one has the right to control other people's lives that way. Many Americans have fought and died for us to have simple liberties like being able to attend a church of our choice or not to attend at all. There are many things you may argue are not healthy or not good for people to be exposed to, junk food, pornography, and the list goes on and on. Still, it's about being free to live our lives the way we as individuals see fit. Too much government interference and it starts to sound like a communist existence. I don't support any new tax ever! This one is particularly alarming because it singles out a specific group--prejudice against smokers. Like they need more of our money, Hell, look at how they handle the billions they aleady have. What a joke!!

Good morning. Yes, my point was that there is a change in the "smoker" even though it may be compared to a cup of coffee. I agree with your statement on "simple liberties" and Americans sacrifices, but I can hardly compare a deadly habit with church attendance.
You seem to assume my "prejudice" towards smokers is negative but in reality, in my opinion at least, is a positive endeavor. Helpful suggestion for a better health can never be bad.
Sure there are numerous detrimental aspects to ever day living. But with that do we just "stick ou heads in the sand" and say "oh well" and never strive to improve the quality of life. Maybe if we start today with "baby" steps some day it may be an excepted way of life.
"Junk food" please do not get me started on that issue. LOL! Well maybe- do you agree we absolutely have to change this traversity,{childhood diabetes} because children are not capble of making a rational decision when everyone is "doing it." Seems to me its a very similar situation to tobacco use.
With the issue of "tax" we will always have to raise taxes {maybe not to the extent of today} due the the simple fact that everything expands {infrastructure,--population-- , disease,education, etc;} Actually I don't mind taxes,-IF- they are not extravagant, and put to good use! It took five years of over spending to get us to this point, it will take time to rectify it.
A recent CNN poll indicates 80% of Americans believe President Obama's plan will work, while 18% disagree. Me I'am optomistic.

[ellen421]

CB can see both sides wrote:

<quoted text>Good morning. Yes, my point was that there is a change in the "smoker" even though it may be compared to a cup of coffee. I agree with your statement on "simple liberties" and Americans sacrifices, but I can hardly compare a deadly habit with church attendance.
You seem to assume my "prejudice" towards smokers is negative but in reality, in my opinion at least, is a positive endeavor. Helpful suggestion for a better health can never be bad.
Sure there are numerous detrimental aspects to ever day living. But with that do we just "stick ou heads in the sand" and say "oh well" and never strive to improve the quality of life. Maybe if we start today with "baby" steps some day it may be an excepted way of life.
"Junk food" please do not get me started on that issue. LOL! Well maybe- do you agree we absolutely have to change this traversity,{childhood diabetes} because children are not capble of making a rational decision when everyone is "doing it." Seems to me its a very similar situation to tobacco use.
With the issue of "tax" we will always have to raise taxes {maybe not to the extent of today} due the the simple fact that everything expands {infrastructure,--population-- , disease,education, etc;} Actually I don't mind taxes,-IF- they are not extravagant, and put to good use! It took five years of over spending to get us to this point, it will take time to rectify it.
A recent CNN poll indicates 80% of Americans believe President Obama's plan will work, while 18% disagree. Me I'am optomistic.

Evening, how are ya? First, let me say that I don't think I was comparing "a deadly habit to church attendance". My point is that many Americans fought and died for us to have CHOICES in our daily lives. Be it religion, health care, smoking, etc., I don't think government involvement is the answer and taxing people who don't do what you think they should--especially singling out a specific group, such as smokers--is unfair. I think we are talking in circles here. I think you mean well. I just think your approach is unfair. Making smoking cigarettes a crime is extreme. I don't have all of the answers. Like I said, I don't smoke, but I am smart enough to know that once they come after smokers what is to keep them from taxing something that DOES affect me directly? You say, "helpful suggestions for a better health can never be bad." Criminalizing cigarette smoking would not be helpful. The end does not always justify the means as you seem to think. Also, you say you don't mind taxes as long as they are not extravagant and are put to good use. When, in your lifetime,(and I don't know how old you are) have taxes NOT been extravagant and when have they been put to good use? As for the poll, I would love to know how many people over age 45 or so were asked. The last numbers I saw showed Obama's support down somewhat. Anyway, I know your heart is in the right place and to still be so idealistic, I suspect you are younger than me. I won't jump on that overweight/diabetes train, ok? There is definitely a problem, but that's a whole other thread.:-)