6/29/09

Could smoking be considered patriotic?


We know smoking tobacco is not good for kids


but a lot of other things aren't good


 


Drinking's not good


 


Some would say milk's not good


 


Bob Dole


Why would a nationalized tobacco industry


say smoking prevents ulcers, reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease


relieves schizophrenia, boosts brain cells


speeds up thinking, improves reactions, increases work efficiency


and eliminates loneliness and depression?


 


Why would a study indirectly funded by tobacco interests


suggest savings from not having to pay smokers pensions and benefits


outweighs short term health care costs


when tobacco tax revenues are included?


 


By smoking


I contribute to the stability of the state budget


 


By buying cigarettes I increase state revenues and I will die of lung cancer


so the state won't have to pay me a pension


 


Former Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman


 


If most smokers die about 10 years earlier than non-smokers


and more Americans started smoking


would taxpayers pay less for short-term medical costs


than for long-term Social Security and Medicaid benefits?

No comments: