Monday, August 27, 2012
Tips to QUIT Smoking - Tip Number 10
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Illinois House votes to increase cigarette tax
In an article from The Quad City Times,
"Cigarette taxes would rise by $1 per pack on June 24 under legislation narrowly approved Friday in the Illinois House.
The measure, designed to help pay down some of the state’s rising Medicaid costs, was approved on a 60-52 vote. It moves to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain."
Here's where I'll just chime in and get my opinion out of the way early... while I can be a considered a non-smoking advocate, I find that increasing taxes on vice is ultimately a flawed method of generating revenue for any governmental entity.
It's a quick fix solution to a larger problem, like using a band-aid where stitches are clearly in order. Or, since we're on the subject, if your house is on fire, would you use a bucket and pail still or that big ass hose over there?
Gov. Pat Quinn was quoted in a statement:
“Today’s action will improve the health of our people and lower the burden of smoking-related conditions on our Medicaid system while helping to fill the $2.7 billion Medicaid shortfall and stabilize the system for those that need it.”
OK Pat, since smoking is such a burden on your Medicaid and if people quit smoking over the tax, you're drawing from a well that will dry up sooner rather than later. This is a quick fix and brushing the problem under the mat with a "we'll worry about the real issues later" mentality.
Here's an idea, assuming you're actually raising the tax to appropriate it to Medicaid, why not pass a amendment where Medicaid benefits will be reduced or not paid at all if the patient is a habitual smoker?
Americans should have the right to smoke themselves to death if they want to and 100 years ago, when you got cancer, for what ever reason, the Government didn't bail you out.
Personally, the Government has no business telling me how I can ruin my life and consequently isn't obligated to help me out when I realized the err of my ways.
Harsh? Yes. Look, I understand the Hippocratic oath where a doctor pledges to not play God treat with care when it comes to matters of life and death. I also understand the part that says, "I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure."
So, if you're going to raise taxes on tobacco, allocate the funds to anti smoking campaigns and agencies designed to help people stop smoking. Find a more long term solution to supplement Medicaid revenue.
These guys are short 2.7 BILLION dollars. HOLY SMOKE (pun intended)! Do you know how much money that is? Really? Imagine what you personally could do with 2.7 billion? For example, a Honda Civic Hybrid is about 24,000. That's 112,500 Civic Hybrids. Chew on that fact for a second (another pun). If a dollar was a mile, you could leave the solar system in 2.7 billion miles. If a dollar was a year... well, do that research on your own and make sure you're sitting down.
If you're thinking, well, what would you do Mr Smarty Pants, the answer is, I don't know. I get it, it's complicated and I'm going to arm chair quarterback the whole deal. Or maybe the answer will be in another blog... what I'll tell you now is this, perhaps the entire Health Care system in America is flawed and needs a complete overhaul and taxing cigarettes and tobacco even further is just putting your finger in the dyke...
"Cigarette taxes would rise by $1 per pack on June 24 under legislation narrowly approved Friday in the Illinois House.
The measure, designed to help pay down some of the state’s rising Medicaid costs, was approved on a 60-52 vote. It moves to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain."
Here's where I'll just chime in and get my opinion out of the way early... while I can be a considered a non-smoking advocate, I find that increasing taxes on vice is ultimately a flawed method of generating revenue for any governmental entity.
It's a quick fix solution to a larger problem, like using a band-aid where stitches are clearly in order. Or, since we're on the subject, if your house is on fire, would you use a bucket and pail still or that big ass hose over there?
Gov. Pat Quinn was quoted in a statement:
“Today’s action will improve the health of our people and lower the burden of smoking-related conditions on our Medicaid system while helping to fill the $2.7 billion Medicaid shortfall and stabilize the system for those that need it.”
OK Pat, since smoking is such a burden on your Medicaid and if people quit smoking over the tax, you're drawing from a well that will dry up sooner rather than later. This is a quick fix and brushing the problem under the mat with a "we'll worry about the real issues later" mentality.
Here's an idea, assuming you're actually raising the tax to appropriate it to Medicaid, why not pass a amendment where Medicaid benefits will be reduced or not paid at all if the patient is a habitual smoker?
Americans should have the right to smoke themselves to death if they want to and 100 years ago, when you got cancer, for what ever reason, the Government didn't bail you out.
Personally, the Government has no business telling me how I can ruin my life and consequently isn't obligated to help me out when I realized the err of my ways.
Harsh? Yes. Look, I understand the Hippocratic oath where a doctor pledges to not play God treat with care when it comes to matters of life and death. I also understand the part that says, "I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure."
So, if you're going to raise taxes on tobacco, allocate the funds to anti smoking campaigns and agencies designed to help people stop smoking. Find a more long term solution to supplement Medicaid revenue.
These guys are short 2.7 BILLION dollars. HOLY SMOKE (pun intended)! Do you know how much money that is? Really? Imagine what you personally could do with 2.7 billion? For example, a Honda Civic Hybrid is about 24,000. That's 112,500 Civic Hybrids. Chew on that fact for a second (another pun). If a dollar was a mile, you could leave the solar system in 2.7 billion miles. If a dollar was a year... well, do that research on your own and make sure you're sitting down.
If you're thinking, well, what would you do Mr Smarty Pants, the answer is, I don't know. I get it, it's complicated and I'm going to arm chair quarterback the whole deal. Or maybe the answer will be in another blog... what I'll tell you now is this, perhaps the entire Health Care system in America is flawed and needs a complete overhaul and taxing cigarettes and tobacco even further is just putting your finger in the dyke...
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Kramer and The Catchers Mitt: Another Reason To Stop Smoking
Don't wind up looking like Kramer. Stop smoking today!
While this scene is funny, keep in mind that good humor always has an element of truth to it...
Smoking accelerates the aging process, dries the skin and causes wrinkles.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Excuses are like... and everyone's got one!
EXCUSES
"Excuses are TOOLS of the WEAK & INCOMPETENT that build monuments of NOTHINGNESS & Bridges that lead to NOWHERE, those who use them seldom amount to ANYTHING."
Notice the source at the bottom... Clearly, this is not a 5th grade class in California or it would read a little different.
What's important here is that every time you smoke a cigarette or talk about why you can't quit, then you're making an excuse. So when you make an excuse like of this because this definition is lethal.
So, all you quitters out there, it's time to stop trying to quit and just stop smoking. No more excuses, no more, period. Knock that crap off!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Smoking & Periodontal Disease
When you smoke, you increase the odds of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is... well, here, watch this:
Follow?
So, if you smoke (please excuse the lady in the video for saying "quit") now is the best time to stop.
In a future segment, I will show you my experience with this, but for now, keep this in mind...
Cancer, emphysema, heart disease, might just be too hard to grasp.
The whole "it'll never happen to me" attitude might be so ingrained that the concept of cancer might be incomprehensible to you. It doesn't effect the reality of it all, but it might be for you, just too hard to grasp. No problem! Go look in the mirror, smile big and imagine one, two, or more pearly whites missing... how's that?
Stay tuned for the reality TV version of me with out a front tooth!
For now, let's focus on the science: http://www.smokersgums.com/ and the moral of the story, don't smoke.
So, if you smoke (please excuse the lady in the video for saying "quit") now is the best time to stop.
In a future segment, I will show you my experience with this, but for now, keep this in mind...
Cancer, emphysema, heart disease, might just be too hard to grasp.
The whole "it'll never happen to me" attitude might be so ingrained that the concept of cancer might be incomprehensible to you. It doesn't effect the reality of it all, but it might be for you, just too hard to grasp. No problem! Go look in the mirror, smile big and imagine one, two, or more pearly whites missing... how's that?
Stay tuned for the reality TV version of me with out a front tooth!
For now, let's focus on the science: http://www.smokersgums.com/ and the moral of the story, don't smoke.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Bogart Estate Joins the Fight Against Esophageal Cancer
 |
| Stop smoking or else! |
Bogart Estate Joins the Fight Against Esophageal Cancer
Check this out dear readers: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bogart-estate-joins-the-fight-against-esophageal-cancer-146175805.html
This is great news!
A few bullet points from the article:
- Esophageal Cancer is the fastest increasing cancer diagnosis in the U.S. – up more than 400 percent in the past 20 years.
- Most people have no idea that the deadly disease is often caused by heartburn, and can be prevented with early detection.
"Everybody knows not to smoke. Not many know heartburn can cause cancer. And that's what's causing most esophageal cancers.... We know smoking and drinking are bad. We are just trying to help raise awareness about today's leading cause."
If I said it once, I'll say it again, it's 2012, if you don't know that smoking will lead to your untimely death, you've either been living under a rock for the last say 40 years or... well, if that's the case, you need to get out more!
More bullet points:
- "We know that more and more lives are lost to this dreadful disease every year. But those lives could be saved with better public awareness and more early detection," said Stephen Bogart, son of the exceptional performer.
- ECAN and Bogart LLC are developing plans for a nationwide public awareness campaign focused on raising awareness about the causes of the Esophageal Cancer and the need for early detection through screening.
This is a worthy cause. On my end, I will be happy to spread the word as best I can as I understand the sense of loss that comes from loosing loved ones to cancer. My mother and grandfather both passed due to cancer. There's just no need to check out early, in pain and suffering. Especially when it can be detected early.
And that's the key. Preventative measures and early detection. So whether it's your throat, your prostate or your ta-ta's. Make sure you're taking care of numero uno!
About ECAN
The Esophageal Cancer Action Network's mission is to save lives by increasing awareness about the link between Heartburn and Cancer, promoting early detection and supporting advances in medical research. Led by a board of directors of top physicians, business leaders, and families that have been touched by Esophageal Cancer, ECAN is tackling this devastating disease head on. Learn more at www.ecan.org.
About Bogart LLC
Bogart LLC manages the legacy and publicity rights of legendary actor and cultural icon Humphrey Bogart. Stephen Bogart and Robbert de Klerk serve as co-managing partners, and Leslie Bogart has an active voice within the company. Bogart LLC enters into licensing and merchandising agreements which fit with, and respect, the legacy of Humphrey Bogart. Learn more at www.facebook.com/HumphreyBogartEstate and www.twitter.com/HumphreyBogart.
SOURCE Esophageal Cancer Action Network
Friday, April 6, 2012
Grant Cardone's Success Pledge
Success Pledge
"I pledge a commitment to My Success, My Family's Success and to the Successful Survival of the company I represent.
Success is not an option for me but something I insist!
Success is not something others can give to me, that the government or the economy can provide me.
Success is not determined by luck, chance, race, creed, color or religion but hard work, creativity, follow through and persistence.
I refuse to not have My Success. I refuse to quit prior to My Success and I will do everything ethical in claiming my right to My Success.
My Success is My Duty, My Obligation and My Responsibility."
Grant Cardone
"I pledge a commitment to My Success, My Family's Success and to the Successful Survival of the company I represent.
Success is not an option for me but something I insist!
Success is not something others can give to me, that the government or the economy can provide me.
Success is not determined by luck, chance, race, creed, color or religion but hard work, creativity, follow through and persistence.
I refuse to not have My Success. I refuse to quit prior to My Success and I will do everything ethical in claiming my right to My Success.
My Success is My Duty, My Obligation and My Responsibility."
Grant Cardone
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