Quite frankly, Charles, I'd love to see all of the smokers suddenly stop.
Really. Then everyone would find out what this is *really* all about. It's
about money. You can't cut income taxes the way the government has without
reducing spending - and they found a way to grab more money from the 25% of
the adult population that smokes - and make it politically 'correct' as
well! Our county found a way to sell that "future" tobacco income and raise
a ton of money. Guess what? They spent it. Now Monroe County is facing
some nasty decisions. New York state now charges $1.50 or $1.55 per pack
plus 8.25% sales tax on that tax (at least here in Monroe County). I see a
sign at the local grocery store - over $50.00 per carton plus 8.25% sales
tax. Was it Alabama that rejected property tax hikes to support schools?
What is happening is the elimination of support for necessary items (schools
do come to mind). Unemployment has new wrinkles designed to keep folks from
collecting even if they were laid off for business reasons. Yes, they now
will pay for college education if you can't find a job after a year;
unfortunately, there has been no funding for that since 2001! If you work
for a company with a company paid pension and you are eligible to collect
it, they will reduce unemployment by that amount - even if you aren't
collecting it! Lovely.

I was very fortunate in that I found another job within the company I work
for. They have hollowed out the pension system and use the savings to hire
new top managers (the new president only had to show up for work. He could
quit or be fired the same day and would receive $175,000 per year for life.
If he stays 9 years, he gets $1,000,000 per year for life.).

Interestingly, a new store was built about 5 blocks from me. I tried it and
was amazed. The groceries are the same quality as I'm used to and are far
cheaper. 3 *large* reinforced shopping bags (one of which was so heavy it
was cutting into my hand) cost me $38.20. Hmmm ... I wonder how the main
store (Wegman's) is going to fair when folks discover this? So, Sam's club
for meat and this other store for everything else as far as I'm concerned.

Back to the smoking. I really wish everyone could stop smoking. You think
Social Security is in a mess (you are aware that the feds have "borrowed"
those funds?) now, just wait until 25% of the population starts living an
extra 5 to 10 years! Many folks (non-smokers as well) live their final few
years in a nursing home. The big difference in costs between smokers and
non-smokers is the 5 or 10 years of Social Security that the non-smokers
collect. Even a modest check of $1200 per month is $14,000 per year. That
comes to $140,000 for an extra 10 years.

Maybe we should pay the ball players $100,000,000 per year instead of only
$10,000,000. That should fix things just fine. At least their kids will
get a decent education.


73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA



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