Save the Children!

(Title Linked)

I'm not a political activist - politicians, to me, are as useful as a pocket full of Canadian quarters in an arcade. Republicans, Democrats, Independant, whatever .... they are all scandal filled and don't really have anyone's best interest in mind.

A bill was just passed to not only increase the monetary value put into the healthcare system that is government funded, but to increase the limit for which a family can make to be included in receiving healthcare.

Now, I'm all for kids getting help - but the way they are going about it is sickening. The problem I have is that American's, in general, are absolutely lazy and take everything at face value. Again, it's along all party lines here. Our "leaders" which are voted into office by individuals that really have no idea why they voted for said person. Most people don't read what Congress and the Senate propose. In fact, very few people out there know if they should be happy or upset about bills passing or failing.

So, when a bill like this - that has HUGE ramifications on the economy of our country - pass and everyone is cheering I want to rip my hair out.

Now, I admit, I'm no academic scholar, so my life experiences may be completely out of whack but if I'm wrong I would love for those of you reading this to explain it to me clearly.

It has been proven multiple times over that low income individuals are the highest group of smokers. Low income individuals are in the "health care system".

Points of interest
- Low income smokers pay higher amounts for their cigarettes/tobacco =
less money to put into other avenues.

- Smokers, in general, are already declining in this country. With
outrageous taxes the number will decline even quicker. Where will the
money come from?

- I have read reports that state somewhere in the range of 22 million NEW
smokers will have to take on the habit for the bill to reach it's
monetary goal. 22 million?!?

- If the government knows that smoking is declining, and they are so very
interested in the safety of all of us (meaning they don't want new smokers)
then why have a bill that is trying to generate revenue from a declining
resource? Again, where will the money come from when the well dries up?

- Why should the cost of health care for kids, and some adults, be placed
squarely on the shoulders of smokers - who are already poor? If we are
so concerned about healthcare - shouldn't it be everyone's responsibility
to help them?

- Economic impact.... I personally know owners of smoke shops. They have all
stated that if/when this bill goes into affect they may lose their
business. People can order Cigars/cigarettes online, from outside the
country and the penalities/fines will be LESS than the tax that they would
pay in America.

- American's lose their jobs. Mom & Pop shops shut their doors as they
can not pay the taxes on their inventory. People aren't buying like they
used to. Large companies lay off employee's as they are still trying to
make their bottom line. All these people are now unemployeed - at least
they can get health insurance. Not to mention the tobacco growers here in
America. Most people don't know this but this is a very large revenue
source - people may lose their businesses, land, homes, etc... but at least
the kids are covered - except when there isn't anymore money.

- The questions are large and wide for me but as long as American's
"feel good" about the decisions made by our poloticians there is no
hope. Just because it sounds good, and looks good, doesn't make it good.
There have been major layoffs all over the country since they started
banning smoking in public places - if you feel so inclined, here are some
links.

http://www.heritage.org/Research/HealthCare/wm1548.cfm

www.davehitt.com/facts/banlinksarchive1.html

www.davehitt.com/facts/banlinksarchive2.html

www.davehitt.com/facts/banlinksarchive3.html

The low down of it all is this - if you push people not to smoke, you can't expect money from smokers, as there are none.

Maybe I'm a simpleton, but where is the logic in this?