But, evidence the political clap-trap which seems to have the American public by the throat choking the very life out of it abounds. And this is no different with the tobacco issue.
A few months ago it seemed as if Congress was going to take drastic measures against the industry. That was the impression they were trying to give, anyway. But, it was only an illusion created by some very slick talking con men.
When you have people in control who rely on a particular faction for millions in donations, it is not likely that much will be done and certainly nothing that will upset the apple cart of future donations. This has proved to be an absolute by Congress, those same people (minus the ex-House Leader) who just swore a few months ago they were so concerned about the youth of this nation.
Once again, the people have been duped. For a few weeks, even months, we heard the outrage of senators and representatives against the tobacco industry. My gosh, one could almost think they were going to outlaw the industry from anything other than word-of-mouth advertising and make them pay dearly for addicting and contributin to the killing of millions of people.
The industry spent 40 plus million ads designed to make the public think their taxes would be raised across the board, misleading ads of the highest order. And, millions of Americans were apparently fooled into thinking all people’s taxes were going to be raised.
But, did the ads really have the result of turning the tide for the industry? And, did the tide of congressional and public outrage ever threaten the industry in the slightest? Hmmm.
As you will recall, it seemed as if Congress had stopped any action against the industry. Or that the Clinton-Lewinsky story had buried any actions (or lack of action) so deeply that no one knew of them.
During this time, stories about the proposed legislation were very difficult to find. In the meantime, we moved closer and closer to the elections just past. Did you hear or see any tobacco ads on the radio and TV in the weeks just prior to the elections?
Maybe you did but I didn’t and I usually have either ABC or NBC on for company while researching the net. I don’t look at these networks out of choice but rather necessity since I only get two channels.
Did any politicians, whether Republican or Democrat, get on major news shows pushing against the industry’s ads? Or, to inform the people about what was really going on?
I thought I could find articles against the industry and its congressional supporters elsewhere but couldn’t. I may have missed them but I sure couldn’t miss articles about Clinton-Lewinsky, Clinton-Jones, Clinton-Willey, Tripp-Lewinsky, and, of course, hundreds on the impeachment inquiry and so many about Starr that I am purely sick of him.
Then, just 3 short weeks after the elections, the price on cigarettes was raised 45 cents per pack (not including price increases by outlets which are taking advantage) plus had had an increase of 15 percent taxation increase by the federal government.
Don’t you find it rather suspect that the industry didn’t raise the price until after the elections? Or, that the federal tax increase was hidden, so to speak, behind Lewinsky’s skirts, or Jones’s, or by the onslaught of Starr-impeachment info?
Here it is. By the means and methods (in this case, obscurity and the ever familiar
two-step) used by a Congress essentially bought by the tobacco industry, tobacco interests
haven’t suffered as much as a slap on the wrist. It has avoided any retribution whatsoever,
regardless of the number of deaths it causes and will cause (one estimate
at 500,000,000 by the year 2023).
Every cent it allegedly has to pay out is actually being paid by the people that need the help
the most, those addicted to cigarette smoking. Furthermore, it is unlikely that these people
in the throes of painful deaths will get any help from Congress or the industry.
Thus, the marriage between certain Congressional leaders and parties to the tobacco
industry has held firm. No congressional action taken to control ads nor congressional
attempts to control an industry that relies on misleading youth and getting them addicted to
one of the strongest, deadliest drugs in the world, a drug that kills more than all auto
deaths, murders, accidents (such as in the home), alcohol related deaths, and
all the illegal drugs put together.
Once again, the industry and its silent partner, Congress, has proved the God-Almighty
dollar is far more important than the people of this nation who are being harmed, or will be
harmed, by the promotion and use of one of the most dangerous drugs of all time.
So maybe I am not so slow. I at least recognize this farce for what it is - an American
congressional fairy tale meant to once again dupe the public into believing our people in
government have our best interests at heart.
