Our Brave New World

I found this piece in the San Bernadino Sun rather frightening. It's about even stricter smoking ordinances from local governments a- la- Glass. The prohibitionists are in full force in this country, despite the growing movement to decriminalize marijuana and other drugs. One fellow's statement pretty much sums up their attitude:

"...With Medicare, Medi-Cal ... the government is responsible for these bills and the government is going to have a say in how people lead their lives. ".

While that guy describes himself as a Republican with a libertarian bent, I'd suggest this country could use a lot less of his type.

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As an aside, the latest federal tax increase on tobacco products (Obama's first tax on the poor) has doubled their price with a 6oz can of Bugler tobacco now costing over $40.00, up from around $19.00 before. You folks better start thinking about who you're going to tax next to make up for the shortfall if a bunch of people stop smoking or the tobacco markets go even further underground.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me. - Martin Niemoller