Florida Legislators Holding Hands With Big Tobacco
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The legislators in the house and in senate, in the Great State of Florida intend to do something unprecedented in the next few days. They intend to protect a special class of Corporate America and shield them from having to comply with law that every other citizen is compelled to comply. The legislators intend to give very special treatment to the makers of a product in order to save these corporations millions of dollars.
Is the Florida legislature doing this because it will save jobs of Florida workers? No.
Is the Florida legislature doing this to benefit the citizens of Florida? No.
Is the Florida legislature doing this to benefit a very special class of Corporate America? It would seem, yes.
What is the product?
You started using the product when you were just little—maybe 12 or 13. Lots of people used the product and it was regularly thought to be safe. They told you it was safe. They put doctors in ads that told you the product was not only safe, but, actually good for you.
Later, when you watched television, doctors once again appeared in ads telling you it was a safe product. Stars and starlets told you how great the product was and how good it made you feel.
The makers of the product regularly maintained that the product was safe. The presidents of the product manufacturers appeared before congress and swore, under oath, that the product was safe.
It was not until mountains of proof became public that the makers of the product finally admitted it “might not” be as safe as they said. It was not until millions of Americans became tragically ill and died that the makers admitted that, well, it is “possible” their product may have some small role in the illness and death.
The product? Cigarettes.
The makers? Big Tobacco.
The truth? They lied; they manipulated; they fabricated; they injured; they killed; they did it all for one and only one goal—they did it for billions in profits.
Now, the Florida legislature is going to shield poor Big Tobacco and treat them to privileges not enjoyed by any citizen in Florida. Not one voter gets the benefits that the Florida legislature intends to hand out to Big Tobacco.
Go figure. I guess Florida citizens need better lobbyists?