Bull-SCHIP attack on Smokers!

One way or another, the smokers in this country are always under attack. All across America if there is a stadium to be built, a convention center to be had, or any other project for a community - since nobody likes smoker's anyway - the easiest way to get money is raise cigarette taxes.

With the help of 40 Republican Senators and bleating, "This is good. This is good," President Barack O-Free Pass, set on shrouding our country with his socialist shawl, took the first step towards paying for Govt. funded healthcare...

The bill calls for spending an additional $32.8 billion on the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, which now enrolls an estimated 7 million children. Lawmakers generated that revenue by raising the federal tobacco tax.

Federal money for the program was set to expire March 31, barring action by Congress. To cover the increase in spending, the bill would boost the federal excise tax on a pack of cigarettes by 62 cents, to $1.01 a pack. (PD)

Much to the dismay of Ohio Governor, Rev. Ted, the SCHIP bill was vetoed twice by former President Bush. Bush supported increasing healthcare for children but at the time congress refused to curb their desire on including adults, middle income families and refused to close loop holes allowing coverage for illegal immigrants.

Bush wanted to cover MORE poor children than the original version. The democrats balked when Bush called their bluff and said he would support their program ONLY IF - "all poor children eligible for the program be found and enrolled before any in slightly higher-income families could be covered."

"....states must get at least 95 percent of children in families with incomes below 200 percent of the poverty level enrolled in the program before eligibility could be expanded. No state meets that benchmark."

So now, not only will smokers be forced to pay for stadiums, convetions centers, etc... we will also be the main funding source for Socialized Healthcare. But this is where I get a smokin' in the boys room, "hot-boxing" like head rush on their thinking.

It is estimated that the increased tax from the SCHIP bill will reduce youth smoking by about 7 percent and overall cigarette consumption by 4 percent. Combined with the jack-booted, goose-stepping bans many cities and states have placed on where or when you can smoke - one must question the wisdom of the Cigarette Nazi's.

It get's better - now the "snuff 'em out" Sparky's in D.C. and the butt-smoking Barack have inserted $75 Million into the bloated Stimulus bill for smoking cessation programs!

The head rush is kicking in now! We're going to spend $32 Million for socialized healthcare funded on cigarette taxes then spend $75 Million to help people stop smoking!

Priceless!