Democracy Has Prevailed.

December 13, 2006

Now isn't this a surprise!

Take a look at who's paying for the legal challenge to Allegheny County's smoking ban: A tobaccco company.
Officials at tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds said yesterday the company is footing the bill for two Downtown restaurant owners to fight Allegheny County's smoking ban, set to take effect Jan. 2.
Should we be surprised?

On local talk radio, the ban is challenged on "freedom" issues (for instance, "What right does the County have to dictate to a bar/restaurant owner how to run his/her business??").

How different the picture looks when we learn that R.J. Reynolds is paying the tab.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah, and the government will collect countless amounts of tax dollars on the sale of tobacco products, and then will in turn sue those same tobacco companies.

If I were the tobacco companies, I'd counter sue the government for fraud based on them taking tax dollars on the sale of my products, as they are suing to basically put me out of business.

Hey, no one is putting guns to the heads of those people who smoke. See, this is the society we have turned into. The society of not accepting the responsibility of our actions. Instead, We'll sue for everything. McDonald's "Hot Coffee" incident anyone? Remember that? Or how about the women suing Kraft over avocado? How does one become so upset that they cannot move on with their life over avocado?
And let's not even start the IRS, you know, the government organization that can hold onto your money every year, money you never see, and yet you cannot charge them interest. But, don't be late in paying them every April or you'll be charged penalties plus interest.

Gotta love the Government. The scary thing is, people like you support this kind of shit.

Welcome to the society that you all helped create.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Despite its overall tone of civility and reasonability, your exquisitely-crafted missive has just a few tiny conceptual and factual flaws, Unnumbered Anon. Clearly, you are a thoughtful person who will appreciate a minor correction or two. Or perhaps you can correct my misperceptions?

the government will collect countless amounts of tax dollars on the sale of tobacco products
As far as I know, Allegheny County imposes no taxes on tobacco. Am I mistaken here?

[the government] will in turn sue those same tobacco companies
It is the tobacco companies who are financing a lawsuit against Allegheny County, not vice versa, correct?

suing to basically put me out of business
R. J. Reynolds stock trades as RAI, which sold under $20 in 1999 and closed yesterday above $61. This would indicate that the company now has what? greater or lesser corporate strength?

McDonald's "Hot Coffee" incident anyone? Remember that?
Actually, I think I do remember that. Unless I am mistaken, and I'm sure you will do your research before correcting me, the woman in that case ended up receiving a settlement which did not quite cover her medical bills. If I am incorrect, please provide a link.

people like you support this kind of shit
As for withholding taxes, a very conservative Republican House, Senate, and White House seem to think that the system you decry is rather hunky-dorey. They have had 12 years to change that system, yet have not even made noises about doing so. It would seem that actually it is people like you who "support this kind of shit."

Of course, I could be wrong.

Maria said...

Duplicate post removed.