Honesty Is Always The Best Policy, Pt. 2

Why is it so difficult for Americans to be honest with themselves?  The current culture of Political Correct-ness has crippled our ability to speak clearly about the issues and be honest with ourselves, with our fellow citizens, with our allies abroad, and with our enemies.

In Part 1 we discussed the Media’s inability to honestly present the current issue of stem cell research.  Key terms are left undefined and important facts are left unreported (such as the fact that embryonic stem cell research, which is given limited funds by the government, has produced no treatments/cures/hopes-of-treatments-or-cures, etc., while adult stem cell research, which receives funds both publicly and privately, has been very productive at providing cures and treatments)

The citizens will vote with their feet and their wallets. This is freedom.

In Part 2 we will discuss the issue of smoking.  In the interest of full disclosure, it must be noted that no member of XEKE.com is a smoker, nor does any member enjoy being around those that are smoking.  We actually find it quite offensive, but we digress.

Much has been ballyhooed recently regarding the issue of smoking in restaurants, smoking in bars, smoking in public, and so on.  We're told that smoking causes cancer/emphysema for the smoker,  but those for whom there is the most concern are those who inhale second-hand smoke, especially when they have no choice.  “The hazard of inhaling carcinogens is not something one should have to bear while working beside or living in the same home with a smoker,” we’re instructed.

Last XEKE.com checked, individuals had the freedom to choose where they work.  (This isn’t Cuba.)

Last XEKE.com checked, tobacco was legal.

If smoking is so bad and so unhealthy, why has tobacco not been made illegal?  Certainly something that causes so much suffering and so many deaths on an annual basis should be banned.  Murder is illegal, rape is illegal, drunk driving is illegal.  All of these cause death and suffering to one degree or another not only for the primary victim but also for innocent bystanders, just like smoking.

The dirty little secret is that the uproar about smoking has nothing to do with people’s health, nothing to do with keeping children from smoking, and nothing to do with clean air.  Keeping tobacco legal has everything to do with collecting tax money.

Let me repeat myself:  keeping smoking legal has everything to do with collecting tax money.  Consider all that is funded with tax dollars collected from tobacco (through the so-called “sin tax”):  public schools, children’s health care, pro-sports stadiums, and numerous other programs.  If tobacco is actually made illegal, how will such programs be funded?  And should these programs rely on taxes from a legal good?

Ultimately, the efforts of some to limit smokers’ rights has everything to do with limiting freedom.  Each and every owner of a restaurant, bowling alley, and bar should be able to determine for themselves whether or not their establishment will be smoke-free or not.  After they have made their decision, the citizens will vote with their feet and their wallets.  Patrons who wish to smoke and be around those who do will frequent the smoking business.  Those who wish to spend an evening without inhaling smoke will patronize a smoke-free restaurant or business.  This is freedom.  The owners of the establishments will be able to determine in time whether or not their decision was wise for their business.  This is freedom.

Sadly, though, those who wish to limit our freedoms, and the freedom of smokers, will not come out and state their true objective (which is to limit freedom and collect tax money, one and the same in the true American’s mind).  Instead, they make emotional arguments.  And those who oppose their arguments are labeled cruel, oppressive and heartless.  “How can anyone oppose limiting the exposure of children to second-hand smoke?”  “How can anyone tell the single mother that she must work in a smoke-filled restaurant to support her children?”

But that’s not being honest.  The dishonest way to handle the issue is to keep the status quo:  take a legal act, tax it, vilify it, and limit the freedom of those who participate in the legal act.

If smoking is so harmful, ban tobacco.  Unless tobacco is banned, though, smoking and smokers’ rights should not be limited, and they should not be punished with excessive taxes.

It’s time to be honest with ourselves.

Click on the icon below to read more from the Honesty Series.