Hello people! I just read about the intent of Congress to impose a .60 per pack federal tax on cigs. I was normal when I woke up this morning - now I'm a frothing idiot who can't take it anymore.

Why hasn't an attorney started a nationwide class action lawsuit on discriminatory taxing? Our country was founded on this principle. What happened?

Are any attorneys reading this? Want fame and fortune? Let's get it started.

This goes beyond junk science and do-goodism and arrogance and "I'm better than you". It's the persecution of a hardworking, law abiding segment of our population and somebody needs to LEAD us sheep in saying NO MORE!

What ever happened to de Toqueville and his beliefs on protecting the minority from the tyranny of the majority? For that matter, why am I even alive? I spent my childhood in smoke-filled houses and cars and I've been a lifelong smoker. I'm a medical miracle. I don't even cough! Put me on TV and *I* will get the message out!

And yes, I also have an addiction to caffeine, in case you maybe wondered

But I'm serious. Oh and I saw Martha Perske's name attached here. If you're out there somewhere, Martha, remember me from the old CNN boards?

I'm tired of whining on forums, I'm tired of apologizing to snotty 4 year olds who have the nerve to tell me I'm hurting my health, I'm tired of adults asking me why I smoke as they waddle their morbidly obese frame through McD's parking lot, but most of all I'm tired of the look I get when I buy cigarettes, smoke cigarettes or...most of all...announce that I enjoy cigarettes!

I'd have a better reception from most people if I confessed to being a serial killer. What happened to us?

Oh and Crighton isn't only author with a pulse. Read Kerry Mullins (PhD and Nobel Prize Winner) and Dancing Naked in the Mind Field. He has this ETS issue down pat, as well.

Have we been "linked to" global warming yet? Don't laugh - it's on its way.

Thank you for letting me rant!

Welcome to the Forum, Debra, and please blow some (of that delightful breath of fresh air of yours) my way, anytime.

For smoker employment lawsuits (though I can't make heads or tails as to the progress) see http://www.cmht.com/investigation_smokers.php

Also see www.forces.org as they are endeavoring to raise legal funds, and Ms. Perske is affiliated with FORCES as well, I believe.

Hope this helps.

Welcome, dear lady! Yes-Al Gore has linked smokers to Gorebal Warming (tm). I'll see if I can find the article again.

Welcome, Debra.

The author Debra referenced is named Kary Mullis. He won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1993.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kary_Mullis

Thanks guys!

Richlady, thanks for the link! My issue (of the moment, anyway) is more related to the discrminatory taxation. I might try to research this later today or tomorrow. When studies are coming out "linking" (my favorite word!) obesity more than smoking as a health "risk" (my second favorite word) at some point there's a fundamental issue that goes beyond unfairness. In other words, if links and risks can be used as the rationale to impose a tax burden on ANY segment of the population...well, that's fine as long as the same criteria is used for ALL segments. If not, it's discrimination.

Never forget: Smoking/ETS might be linked to an increased risk of reckless driving.

Dave, don't bother on my account. Others might read it, of course, but I can't even type his name without feeling a choking sensation followed by extreme dizziness

And Winston...thanks for the clarification. I do highly recommend this book. It's written in a sort of stream-of-consciousness style; the mass hysteria over smoking and ETS is only tangential, but he's a clone of Crighton's in attacking that "state of fear" mindset where we allow junkscience to serve as the backdrop for social engineering that can be far more deadly than the links and risks that make good soundbytes and give our "leaders" in Congress something to occupy their time and justify their existence.

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related to the discrminatory taxation.

Debra, will you be sure and share with us whatever you learn? This is a topic worth knowing more about, and I'm so glad we now have someone inspired to find some facts.

Welcome Debra, indeed scientists are for sale to politically correct crusaders and those who aren't - such as Kary Mullis and many who don't buy into the global warming or secondhand smoke hysteria are treated as outcasts and lose their research funding - its sad because science is supposed to be about the pursuit of truth - instead it is about the pursuit of power and money. I say this as a scientist who works in basic biomedical research.
I agree with you about how if they are going to tax our cigarettes through the roof - let them tax big macs and beer too - maybe thats what it will take for everyone to get sick of these clowns and throw them out.

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I say this as a scientist who works in basic biomedical research.

Could you go down to'health,hypocrisy,and untruths' part of this Forum and help me with the medical advances of the last 60 years.
Please,Gary K.

To me, research in this field is much the same as why McDonalds sells so much food daily, it is cheap and easy.

How many of these studies have actually involved any research vs those that just repackage selected studies to make a buck? You also have to wonder about the people who approve grants for these studies.

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Could you go down to'health,hypocrisy,and untruths' part of this Forum and help me with the medical advances of the last 60 years.
Please,Gary K.

Sure thing Gary! Sorry - I haven't had much time to spend in this forum lately. We've been trying to fight the antis here in Virginia - the governor has been trying to get a total ban, which he originally said he was opposed to - but hasn't succeeded - so a few cities such as Alexandria and Norfolk/VA beach have passed their own bans which can't become law unless the state assembly gives them permission - I've been working with some folks here to take apart the SGs study, which the governor claims is what has converted him to an anti.

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How many of these studies have actually involved any research vs those that just repackage selected studies to make a buck? You also have to wonder about the people who approve grants for these studies.

You said it Bruce...That which you cannot BOTH observe AND quantify is not science. Neither is anything that can't be disproven, otherwise its called faith. A good friend of mine from grad school got a masters in public health afterwards and now works for a group trying to develop a malaria vaccine - at least its a legitimate area of public health that isn't about lifestyle micromanagement - but still, she said that there aren't many people in the field with actual scientific training. I imagine that there are even fewer true scientists in tobacco control.

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