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Prop 29 Fails to Cure Cancer, does not ensure World Peace!

Uploaded: Jun 4, 2012
Having recently tried to update a woefully stale TV viewing habit (I gave up after the untimely demise of Deadwood), I tried to get interested in Mad Men, starting with season one. Beyond the dubious premise that no actual work got done in the 1960s (it would've interfered with the carousing and general misogyny), I was appalled by constant lightings-up. My lungs hurt after every episode ? those actors should file for workers comp, as The Marlboro Man had nothing on them.

Even if that portrayal is exaggerated, it is remarkable how far society has come since that time in limiting the pernicious effects of that addictive product -- despite the worst efforts of the tobacco industry. I'll admit that I was dubious at the outset of the anti-smoking wars, but having workplaces, restaurants, arenas and clothing free from cigarette stench is a wonderful thing. It's gotten so that I'm even annoyed when I have to pass near one of those rancid, open-air "smoker's lounges."

California has been in the vanguard of those anti-smoking efforts; indeed it was Stanton Glantz at UCSF who really blew the lid off the industry's misdeeds when he published damning internal Brown & Williamson documents to the web before they could be recovered by their corporate owners (they had been copied, and sent to him by a Kentucky paralegal).

More recently, however, our fair state has regressed to the mean, with a cigarette tax rate that ranks somewhere around the middle of all such levies. Despite clear evidence that this is one market-based policy solution (see last week) that works to discourage an irredeemably nasty habit, repeated efforts in the legislature to raise per-pack levies have failed.

Enter Prop 29, an uncomplicated initiative that raises the state tax rate on cigarettes by $1/pack, and devotes that fund to cancer research. Even in this tea-addled era of Xtreme personal freedom, who could possibly object? If the polls are right (I suspect they're not), however, this election's premier contest is a toss-up.
The initiative system in California dates from 1911. It is Progressive Era legislation that allows the electorate to pass or veto laws, or even amend the state constitution, by direct plebiscite. The primary difference between those two forms of action is that proponents need to get more signatures to qualify the latter. While I think that part is a mistake ? constitutional provisions are more important than that ? the Prop system acts as a check on the legislature's tendency to be captured by special interests. 2008's Prop 2 establishing certain minimum decencies for farm animals, for example, passed with a 2/3 majority, after decades of frustration for the animal welfare community. Food & Ag interests in Sacramento stymied repeated legislative efforts to improve conditions for California's unhappy hens, sows and veal calves. Voters were not fooled by dire warnings of job flight and the specter of an invasion by inferior Mexican eggs.

So, how has Big Tobacco taken-on Prop 29? Taking a page from Big Food's book, anti-Prop 29 promotions have totally ignored the subject, fabricated "facts" and played to fears ? this time as to government bureaucracy and unaccountability. They even found a doctor to mouth their words (SFGate reported that she needs the money), and dressed some other guy in a lab coat to establish his scientific credentials. They also started early -? bombarding primetime audiences with $40 million of commercials (or so I'm told). Don Draper would be proud. The impressive list of health-based Proponent non-profits have focused on the goal of the initiative, and attempted to answer the worst of the false claims.

There is some recent evidence in these parts that campaign spending does not necessarily spell success, as Meg Whitman's $140 million gubernatorial fiasco attests. Prop 2 was said to be a close race in 2008, as well. Here's a hope, and a vote, that good policy sense prevails over deep pockets this time. Please make your voice heard.
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Comments

Posted by Roz Rogoff, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jun 5, 2012 at 12:39 am

Cancer is non-partisan, decline to state, no political party. It attacks Republicans, Democrats, liberals, and conservatives. It kills family members of every political spectrum.

Those who want cigarette companies to remain financially healthy will vote No on Prop. 29. Those who want everyone else to remain physically healthy should vote YES on Prop. 29. "YES," it is really that simple.

Roz


Posted by Sherry, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jun 5, 2012 at 7:10 am

It is amazing how they can twist the facts so much... they state that the proposition will not create jobs, and will not stay in California, etc, etc. etc.... of course it is not intended to do any of those things.

I think people would wish for a cure for cancer - whether it takes place in California, Memphis, Minneapolis, etc. or another country for that matter - it just needs to get done.

I also hope that another tax helps to make it a bit more expensive so that people will think twice before starting, or hope those who have already started to try to quit.

At the very least, big tobacco should help pay for the damage they cause (for cures, or treatment). I, like many others have lost loved ones to lung cancer... it is a horrible way to die and I don't wish that on anyone. Shame on them, but, what do you expect from big tobacco???


Posted by Marrushi, a resident of Alamo,
on Jun 5, 2012 at 8:53 am

Vote Yes on Prop. 29 to save lives from cancer, which kills people!


Posted by Tom Cushing, a resident of Alamo,
on Jun 6, 2012 at 7:49 am

Rats. It is remarkable what money can buy. Web Link


Posted by San Ramon Oberver, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jun 6, 2012 at 7:58 pm

San Ramon Oberver is a registered user.

Some people are so anti-tax they wouldn't vote for one to save their lives. It reminds me of the old Jack Benny joke.

Benny (on the radio) is accosted by a robber who points a gun at him and says it's a stick up.

Robber: Your money or your life.
Benny: (pause)
Robber: (harsher) Your money or your life.
Benny: (another pause) I'm thinking it over.

This was Benny's biggest joke on the radio. Even more appropriate, the robber was a smoker. You can listen to it on Youtube. Web Link

Benny's tightwad character was a gag. If Prop. 29 is defeated, which it appears to be, it isn't at all funny.

Roz


Posted by spcwt, a resident of Danville,
on Jun 6, 2012 at 9:55 pm

Prop. 29 ties up tax money that could?ve been used to help solve California?s fiscal problems.

California shouldn?t spend tax dollars on any cause, no matter how noble, until it gets its fiscal house in order.

In order to plug California?s $16 billion deficit, we will need to make some tough choices like raise taxes, layoff teachers, cut services to the poor, raise college tuition, etc. If Prop. 29 passes, these cuts and tax increases will need to be bigger than if we?d put in place a cigarette tax to help fund the budget.

Most states use cigarette tax money to help balance their budgets. California has resisted increasing tobacco taxes not because of the tobacco lobby, but because it is a regressive tax paid mostly by the poor, as smokers tend to be poor.

We likely need to raise taxes, and tobacco taxes should be part of the mix. But Prop. 29 ties up funds so that they can't be used to solve California's financial problems. I hope it is defeated.


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