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Smokers on average die earlier. They collect less social security and other benefits. So smokers save us money.
I know a great way to solve the "health care expenses" problem. Make people pay for their own health care. In the case of smoking, have zero taxes on tobacco. But if a smoker (or anyone for that matter) get's sick they pay all medical expenses, no insurance, tough luck. Get rid of medicaid. Taxpayers should only pay for their healthcare and their families, they should never pay for people they don't know.
Have htem all pay for their own healthcare..
Well... that would be all well and good if healthcare costs were actually within what a person could actually pay and afford
Do you really need a link to know that smoking is not healthy behavior?
Um, no. But when someone makes a statement like:
Quote:
Smokers on average die earlier. They collect less social security and other benefits. So smokers save us money.
...which conflicts with info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying that cigarette smoking results in an estimated 443,000 premature deaths each year and costs the economy $193 billion in health care expenses and lost time from work. I'm wondering what his/her source is that backs up their conflicting statement.
On the other hand, millions of people have lost much, much more - home and stock values - thanks to the Republicans.
Your giving the bird to poor people. $50 dollars a month can literally kill your budget, especially if your unemployed. If its not cigarettes it's something else like unhealthy food. Poor people can't afford healthy food. They eat mac & cheese and raman.
'Hmmm.... I don't make 6 figuire income yet Democrats are directly responsible for making this middleclass boy (me) $50 a month poorer due to their tobacco tax and now I hear they are passing another tobacco tax?
And please don't tell me "just don't smoke"......no it is Democrats who took $50 a month out of my lifestyle.And what is this I hear about them wanting to pass a "carbon" tax that would make everybodies power bill go up?
Seems to me rich people won't be effected by their taxes though huh?,Rich people don't care if they have to pay more for power or cigarettes.......
Wait till the house of cards called SCHIPS falls apart because no one can afford to smoke anymore. I bet the tobacco tax transcends tobacco.
Your giving the bird to poor people. $50 dollars a month can literally kill your budget, especially if your unemployed. If its not cigarettes it's something else like unhealthy food. Poor people can't afford healthy food. They eat mac & cheese and raman.
Yet they can afford to smoke?
Talk about skewed priorities.
Food, smoke, food, smoke?
Hmmm, I think I'll smoke and let my kids go hungry.
Mind blowing numbers, aren't they? If this were a non smoking nation, it would be easy to have Universal Health Care.
Although I do support some kind if UHC I'm not sure if smokers are the only offenders. I mean, what do we do about people who are diabetic but refuse to follow a proper diet? I know a woman who is insulin dependent but still sneaks a candy bar or 2. She tells me 'I've got to enjoy my life once in a while." What do we tell those people with liver problems who continue to drink? There are plenty of those around. How about obese people who wolf down double cheeseburgers with mayonnaise and fries soaked in butter? Should we refuse to treat them when they have heart attacks or kidney failure?
I agree that the costs to care for smokers are mind boggling, but maybe the only way to have successful health care reform is to force people to lead healthier lifestyles.
Wait until peop[le really see the fees and luxury taxes its going to take to pay for all these stimulus and programs. Nothing is free and even the rich can't pay for it all.
Although I do support some kind if UHC I'm not sure if smokers are the only offenders. I mean, what do we do about people who are diabetic but refuse to follow a proper diet? I know a woman who is insulin dependent but still sneaks a candy bar or 2. She tells me 'I've got to enjoy my life once in a while." What do we tell those people with liver problems who continue to drink? There are plenty of those around. How about obese people who wolf down double cheeseburgers with mayonnaise and fries soaked in butter? Should we refuse to treat them when they have heart attacks or kidney failure?
I agree that the costs to care for smokers are mind boggling, but maybe the only way to have successful health care reform is to force people to lead healthier lifestyles.
JustNancy.. regarding diabetics.. I do want to point something out.
Depending on how you manage your diabetes you do NOT have to follow a strict "no sugar" diet. For example, I'm a Juvenile Diabetic who manages my disease with an insulin pump and short acting Humolog insulin. I can eat just about whatever I want as long as I keep track of the carbs I'm eating and than dose myself appropriately. I eat far less candy and sweets than your average person, but occassinoally I do AND can indulge without endangering my health.
Just wanted to clear that up. It's a common misperception.. one that my husband constantly fights me on everytime I put something he thinks I shouldn't have in my mouth.. he doesn't get the whole carb counting / dosing thing.
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