say it loud and proud girl

Sorry, force of habit, you understand.

I know, I know. I really do have to stop doing that.

have we not learned by now to NOT educate fran??? it's dangerous

yellowrose -

I am armed and dangerous

What I do know for certain...that the accumulation of travesties such as this is really undermining the way I feel about my country.

I still love the ideologies I believed in. But, the reality of it is....this is no longer the same place I grew up in.

I just wonder when they are gonna open up "Re-education centers"...at this point...it wouldn't suprize me if they start coming down on those who disaggree with the skewed policies that are being enacted on a daily basis.

i know what you mean about places changing. There were at least a handful of farms locally. All the major ones were shut down, and used for development.

It was common for nearly everyone to have a "victory garden" as well. In fact my grandparents used to be almost completely self sustaining, and they live next door. Harder now though. Everything is made too expensive to be self sufficient. You used to be able to walk through the woods for miles. Unfortunately just about any place they could be developed has been. You also see things like Grange organizations dying.

They tax you until you become dependent, and they act like they are doing you a favor.

Krupa,

In many ways, it is better now. I remember being in the hospital. I sat in the hospital bed and smoked. Now that I'm older, that just seems so stupid to me - smoking in the hospital. I remember working at a desk and smoking and people around me having to breath it. I'm older now and realize how inconsiderate that was. I think it's better now in these situations.

Naww....no re-education centers.

Oh Winx how fast things and opinions change.

My grandmother smoked all her life and she lived to almost 100.

Just proving a point - with all these medical miracles, medicines, instant cures, research, processed foods, chemicals and information don't you realize the average person actually lives less than years ago.

I disagree to some extent. We have cigaretts contributing to being the number one cause of death in the U.S.

But on the other hand doctors are discovering something pretty interesting. Almost every case of illness (long term) stems from malnutrition.

In order to remainin good health you food must be scarce, local, variable (changes natually with seasons), nontoxic (pretty much organic), and alive (once again, not man-made, but natually grown).

Orthomolecular medicine is fairly new. I am nowhere near becoming a Doctor yet, but i do take an interest in the health field. My best friend is a Pharmacuetical Doctor as well, and we talk about medicine regularly. Preventive medicine is unarguably the most effective practice.

Under preventive medicine you have studies of nutrition (which is fairly new).

As a species there is a guidline to health that we must follow. Our body natually produces tens of thousands of nutriants, but we must ingest somewhere between 42-45 of these vitamins and minerals.

Not easy to explain, but when you tie this all in, you will find how our grandparents are living to be so old. Organic food, that is grown locally and scarce. By definition you have local farms, gardens, etc. which existed in much higher quantities back then.

But this is all just theory now. Tosay things are better today i think is a bit of a reach. I think today we are much unhealthier than we realize.

As a smoker I am biased, but I consider myself to be a responsible smoker - I try not to let my habit interfere with others, hence my stance and the fact that we are being singled out for the new tax just adds to my opinion - leave me alone with my habit and I will leave you and your habit alone. Just venting again

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability.

High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco, and secondhand smoke are also risk factors associated with heart disease.

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HeartMonth/

That much is a truth in any religion, btw. One's health starts with one's mental health and morals.

As we are insane and immoral, we cannot be more than seemingly healthy.

And i agree 100%.

Besides, i don't see where its the government's business to act as our parents anyhow.

Besides, malnutrition is labeled as the number 2 killer in the U.S.

Hey I can get used to the

Cigs may have been a little safer back when, because they didn't add so many things in the tobacco and paper. It isn't the tobacco that is so bad. It is when you light it and it burns that the dangerous chemicals occur. Then the exhale makes for another chemical. Are we gonna sit in our cars in the closed garage with the car running? I don't think so...unless we want to die. It's just quicker that's all.

Kat

By the way; I have smoked for a few years. I have discovered I am irresponsible to smoke in public places and around those that do not smoke. I realize that now. I hate people to smoke awhile I am eating. It is terrible. Kinda like someone farting while I eat. Nasty.

Because the government and tax payers are picking up the medical bills for us smokers??

Kat

even back when my great grandpa smoked in his youth...they were known as coffin nails. even to this day they aren't healthy....but i know the risks etc. there are alot of unhealthy things out there but taxes aren't hiked on them...yet

We have a say in the leadership.

We DO NOT appear to have a say in what they do with our trust.

Just look at the past 6 months or so...

WE spoke loud and clear and more of than ever before did so...

AND THEY IGNORED US AND CONTINUED TO BRING NO REAL CHANGE TO THE WAY THEY DO BUSINESS.

Tax policy is formulated by ELECTED representatives. If you don't like the current tax policy, support a candidate that feels the same way and/or vote against against your current representation. Once you've garnered enough support in the appropriate legislature, you will have the power to change policy.

As for my opinion on tobacco taxes, the higher the better. Tobacco, with it's known health detriments, would never be allowed on the market were it to be a new product. So be happy you can legally buy smokes at any price.

I have no sympathy for smokers. All you need to do is Q-U-I-T. Tax problem solved.

P.S. Smoking ain't nothing but suicide on the installment plan.