Control...

(Written in a e-cigarette forum when someone said that Big Business just wants all our money) 

America used to be the land of Self Control.
The individual used to decide what was best for themselves.
They in turn told the States how much Control they would be ALLOWED over the individual.
And the States in turn told the National Government how much Control they would be ALLOWED over the States.
But we became complacent and lazy, and allowed the State and National government to take that power from us.
They told us it was for our own good. "Just give us this little bit of Control in your life, and it will be so much easier on you. You won't miss it a bit, and it's really not that much to pay in return for Security!"

Now years later, and we wonder why they are trying to take away our E-cigs, and our Snus?

Control.
With Control, you have Power.
With Power, you have everything else that you want or need.
You can tax whatever amount you want, and with that, you have even more Control.

And it's not just tobacco and nicotine.
Look at gas, energy, car companies, banks - the list goes on and on.
Tobacco seems more relevant to us because of it's immediate addictive power. It's the one thing you can't forget about for even a little while, because it won't let you forget it's there - even for a day.
Tobacco control is really just the tip of the iceberg. You just notice it more because of the power of your addiction. But what is happening now has very little to do with what's good for you, or what's good for the children - it has everything to do with controlling YOU.

Sure it sounds like a bad movie plot - but it still works.
It works for Hugo Chávez, it works for Castro and family, and it continues to work for any government that feeds on Power. Get Control - the rest falls in line.

That episode where I realize I'm in the wrong universe...

(Written in a e-cigarette forum when someone brought up evil "Big Business") 

You know, maybe I'm the only one - and maybe my "world-view" is topsy turvy.
But have you ever noticed that whenever someone brings up the fact that Big Tobacco, Big Pharmacy, or any other Big Business is seen passing around money to politicians, that all this righteous indignation leaps to the forefront, and everyone wants to lynch 'em all - the Big Business, that is.

And yet, it almost seems as though the politicians that TAKE the money get a free pass. People almost take for granted that ALL politicians take the money. There is this complacency in people when it comes to government that just makes me feel like I stepped into a bad Twilight Zone episode.

The scary part is: I understand Big Business and why they do it.
It's their very nature to grow, protect their investments and illiminate the competition. And for the most part, I agree with it, and am happy to have it.
I like the high standard of living that is possible because of Big Business. It beats the heck out of being a turnip farmer in rural Murmansk...

But it seems like the politicians rarely, if ever, get called to the carpet for their actions, which is TAKING that money. Rarely, if ever, is the finger pointed at the ones that are supposed to be protecting us from abuses against our freedoms. Sure, every once in a while some nobody gets nicked, the press has a field day, and everybody gets that little thrill that a mob always gets after a good Tar and Feathering. But those are few and far between, and usually don't change a thing.

And since when did OFFERING a bribe become more criminal than TAKING a bribe?

When, if ever, are the people going to start asking the hard questions: Why in the hell do we keep voting for these leaches? When are we going to take back our freedom?

Or is it already too late?