Burned out by butt-inskis

Boston Herald.com ^ | May 20, 2006 | Michael Siegel

[SheLion]

If smoking makes health care more costly then health care cost should be at their lowest historical rates since the 50's, since smoking has decreased per capita since then.

I put that in bold so it would catch the eye.  But you know what I mean.  Smoking has reported to have dropped over the years, so blaming higher health care on smokers shouldn't be the problem anymore.

It's all the illegal aliens that our hospitals have to treat that is forcing us to have higher health care costs.

[MaDeuce]

"...What comes next?..."

I'm sure the Anti's would like to take a page form the Iranians and pass a law to make smokers wear a special patch or armband to designate them in public.

Also, when smokers are kicked out of their apartments, home (by lenders), and such ... will we begin to see "Smoker Ghettos" reminiscent of Warsaw in the 1940's?

[SheLion]

Also, when smokers are kicked out of their apartments, home (by lenders), and such ... will we begin to see "Smoker Ghettos" reminiscent of Warsaw in the 1940's?

Oh my, what a horrible thought!

[Louis Foxwell]

ping

[fanfan]

Love the T-shirt!

[SheLion]

Love the T-shirt!

Hehe!  I have had this photo for quite awhile and I got it in here.  I can't remember who first used it. :)

[Tax-chick]

That's a good point in the aggregate; however, in terms of an individual employer's group health insurance costs, smoking or nonsmoking could be a significant factor.

[Tax-chick]

That would be an even better reason for employees to support health savings accounts and other employment-independent options.

[Tax-chick]

People don't like change. The only way to get them to accept an idea is to promise them more unfortunately.

I fear you are right.

[freekitty]

Then why don't we just ostracize the anti-smoking nazis?

[freekitty]

After all they are just the pimps of anti-freedom.

[SheLion]

Then why don't we just ostracize the anti-smoking nazis?

Because they are highly paid anti's with a whole lot more money then us.  And they are being paid out of the taxes smoker's pay on cigarettes.

Smokers are paying for their own personal abuse in all of this.  Nuts, eh?

[EVO X]

I fear you are right.

I'd go with a HSA and a high deductible since I've quit smoking, but there is no way the overweight people I work with would stand for it. They have high blood pressure, diabetes, joint problems and etc. They are constantly going to the doctor.

[Tax-chick]

I have babies all the time :-).

People would take better care of themselves, use prescription drugs more wisely, etc., if they were responsible for a greater portion of the cost. Unfortunately, because decisions have been taken from the consumer, people seem to think that "health insurance" means anything you want, and somebody else pays.

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir, here!

[TAdams8591]

"The methods are mean-spirited, unsupported by science and attempt to stamp out smoking by punishing and marginalizing smokers. They go too far."

Exactly what I've been saying for YEEEEAAAAARS, something no one needed to convince me of, btw.

Good to hear a doctor say it.

[TAdams8591]

"I have babies all the time :-)."

Yeah, we know.

[proudofthesouth]

I like the t-shirt.

[SheLion]

Love the T-shirt!

Hehe!  I have had this photo for quite awhile and I got it in here.  I can't remember who first used it. :)

Love the T-shirt!

Hehe!  I have had this photo for quite awhile and I got it in here.  I can't remember who first used it. :)

[SheLion]

Good to hear a doctor say it.

Right.  Even the medical field is getting sick and tired of this junk.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Part of that satisfaction is akin to punching certain puritans in the nose.

The only thing between me and your taking Mr. Toad's Wild Ride to the hospital is this cigarette.