While I agree with what you say about linking SCHIP to tobacco taxes, I have to say that I for one would love to see universal health care, or socialized medicine, come to this country. Ask any senior whether they would trade their Medicare for private health care. So what's wrong with expanding something that works to cover everyone? We're the only industrialized country in the West who doesn't do so, which I consider a disgrace.

Anyway, I invite you to check out today's column "Democrats Cave On SCHIP" for a followup to what's going on in Washington on this. We may not see eye-to-eye, but I'd love to hear your take on it.

Thanks for writing.

-CW

Everyone just loves Santa Clause, except for those from whom he must steal in order to be able to give away so much, The SCHIP expansion bill is another instance of our government's attempts to remove financial responsibility from a broad class of people, and instead burden those who are powerless to refuse. Rather than have everyone, or at least those who have chosen to raise children, pay for their health care, Congress is still attempting to single out a minority which they believe will not be able to defend itself, those who manufacture, sell and consume tobacco.

The unfair and illogical use of tobacco taxes to finance programs which are being touted as essential to such a large class of people, when coupled with attempts to actually discourage tobacco's consumption, is one of the poorest strategies this writer has ever encountered. Here is an example of a business depending for its survival on increased sales of a product, and spending an enormous advertising budget to convince customers they simply cannot live without it. When everyone involved ignores the manufacturer's repeated announcements that it intends to curtail or discontinue production of the product, for which there is no substitute, there can be nothing but disappointment. The customer, who hadn't even considered shopping elsewhere, is left with nothing but empty promises, and real frustration upon finding out that those who would have provided something are no longer in business, because the competition's claims were too good to be true.

Congress would not even dare to consider financing a measure benefiting children with taxes on such things as baby food, diapers, children's clothing, juvenile furniture or toys. Even more outlandish would be the mere thought of doing away with dependents' tax exemptions to fund their health care and education. Never in a million years could we count on something that fair happening in the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I understand that the Democrats have a very thin majority and need Republican support to make a bill veto proof however, putting things off is not the way to win support - it just makes them weak.

The Democrats need to be more forceful if they want to keep (and increase) their majority in congress after the presidential election.

...Stan