| Over a Decade Later, What did the Tobacco Settlement Accomplish? | | Back in 1997, the 4 biggest Tobacco companies finally lost the lawsuits against them. The pinchpoint of the case was a memo which proved conclusively that the powers that be in the industry know how addictive and dangerous their product really is.The settlement required the tobacco industry to pay $365.5 billion to all 50 states and 6 territories. The first payment wasn't the end, the settlement is perpetual.So, over a decade later, what has been accomplished? How have the states and territories used the money?Token amounts have gone to "stop smoking" campaigns, which have met with some success. But where did the rest go?The rest went into "general funds" of the states, paying for everything but health care and anti smoking campaigns. But that isn't the only windfall the states have enjoyed from the nasty habit.Cigarette taxes have propped up state revenues for a long time now. They have become such an intregal part of the states' budgets, they can't afford to see people quit smoking.Gov. Doyle, of Wisconsin stated that part of the reason for the huge budget shortfall was due to falling far short of the $449 million projected from cigarette taxes. The... | |
| | Why aren't students more inquisitive? | | Saw something interesting yesterday at a popular local buffet-style restaurant: Tables full of young people socializing. At one table was a bunch of girls. At another table across the room were guys. All looked like they were from stable families; well-dressed, armed with all manner of cell phones and visiting madly. The only problem was that is was almost 2 p.m. during a school day. Obviously, cutting class en masse. Now this has long been an issue, but I just wonder: Why are students dead to actual learning? All they want to do is hang out with each other and exchange meaningless conversaton, text-messaging endlessly, even if they're sitting next to each other. And here on Mylot.com, I notice students from all over the world doing the same thing -- essentially rejecting education and doing whatever they want, wasting precious time and resources and accomplishing nothing productive. It's time for young people to wake up and realize that their parents won't carry them forever. They need to get a life, and soon, before it's too late.
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