Why don't all Us tobacco companies simply refuse to supply the market untill these taxes are repealed? The feds would then have a choice of doing the right thing or facing mass civil unrest. And the companies could not be blamed for this, since they would be within their rights to choose who to sell to and whether to sell and under what conditions.

They couldn't legally because of the foolish settlement they signed a few year back with the states for over 260 billion dollars U.S.
The tobacco companies must make their regular settlement payments.Or else.

The U.S. government could virtually take them over.
It will happen one day soon.
I predict that Phillip Morris will be the last tobacco company left standing.
The government's tobacco company.
Regulated by the FDA.

Anti-smoker activist Stanton Glantz proposed nationalizing the tobacco industry some years back. Socialist leanings, Glantz has, I gather.

Question:
RE; when an entity incorporates.

I recieved a letter from the ACS the letter was signed by Shannon Guernsey J.D.
Director, advocacy & Government Relations
American Cancer Society Midwest Division inc.
When I ran my own trucking outfit I was advised to incorporate. If there was an accident or lawsuit against me and the business the litigation would not effect me or my personal belongings, Is the American Cancer Society expecting a huge lawsuit? Why in the hell would a non profit incorporate? Am I missing something? Does someone know about corporate law that could shed some light on this manuver by ACS.. Thanks Arch

I think it's normal for charities to incorporate, Arch. Why, I don't know. Maybe the liability aspect.

I know many, if not all of the regional United Cerebral Palsy orgs are inc.

It's a pity they can't. Although I guess some company would have broken ranks to pick up new customers if such an idea occured.

Archie, I think virtually all orgs are incorporated. Incorporation doesn't just apply to for-profit entities, but also not-for-profit. I do know the "not-for-profit" sector is growing at an astounding rate. After all, as CEO of a non-profit, one can make tons of money even though the non-profit itself supposedly doesn't. For example, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (a non-profit foundation) is worth about $9 billion, most of which is in Johnson & Johnson stock. Its CEO and various VPs and other major employees earn salaries and benes that would be the envy of CEOs of some for-profit companies.

The heads of a number of STATE chapters of the American Cancer Society earn six figures plus all kinds of benefits and expenses, and yet the ACS is incorporated in each state or region as a non-profit.

Fritz, back before the settlement, many of us were hopiing the tobacco companies would simply stop selling their products in California to set an example in one state. I don't know whether they ever considered this strategy. Perhaps it would violate the anti-trust laws in some way (collusion among the companies?) or perhaps they are just too competitive to execute such a plan.

[This message was edited by Wanda Hamilton on Mon October 20 2003 at 01:06 PM.]

[This message was edited by Wanda Hamilton on Mon October 20 2003 at 01:07 PM.]

Thanks Wanda:
This is the first time I have noticed that ACS used the incorporated law.
I can sure understand why. In the year 2000 when every activist in the country loaded up on "tobacco money" the most amazing thing I noticed is that the non profit sector grew at .4% more than the private sector in minnesota. As soon as we elected a no new tax governor supported by the house the give away stopped and the non profits are now pleading poverty, the 2003 budget eliminated a lot of freeloading and it now comes into focus just how many non profits live off of the taxpayers!!
Vote for conservatives, Thanks for the info on the inc. business....... Arch