Random Rants XIX: Failure Tactics

[Birdjaguar]

Now my rant:

I'm out of fags again. This is getting outrageous. This is sheer oppression. The purpose of the government is not to legislate sin. If I wish to poison myself with sweet sweet fag smoke so be it. The idea of a "sin tax" is offensive and patronizing as if the population is incapable of deciding what is best for itself, which is certainely the case for large segments of the population indeed so I guess I support that when it comes to economic arena, but when it comes to personal decesions and matters of the bedroom the government should err on the side of privacy as established in the various contraception cases which are seemingly found in the penumbras of the Constitution. Thus could the argument be made that "sin tax" is unconstitutional?

No it can't because the broad powers of the government to regulate interstate commerce is well established and fags almost certainely fall under interstate commerce. I support this. So I'm not sure what I'm saying at this point. I guess I'm just ranting that fags are expensive.

If you didn't smoke this problem would go away. You brought it upon yourself. so get over it or quit. Smoking today by a young person is a clear demonstration of a lack of ability to manage one's life and apply any innate intelligence.

 

[Huayna Capac357]

Texas buys its textbooks uniformly.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

In AP world I haven't gotten less than a 97 and tomorrow is our midterm, the questions taken from past exams. And now I regret not having studied. And the PE exam will be hard as heck because our coach just let us run around all semester and it's 100 questions on what? Your guess is as good as mine!!
And again with the AP World exam, is it gonna be a general overview of everything or a whole bunch of little details that I might have forgotten!? AND THE NEOLITHIC ERA HAS ALWAYS BEEN BORING TO ME.
I feel like Hermione right now BUT REALLY I'M RON! Because I haven't done very much at all and I want to scream in a British accent and I don't even think you can! I just want to sleep and read Harry Potter continuously. AND THATS ANOTHER PROBLEM!
I read too much Science Fiction like Dragonlance and not enough substantial literature!!!

Welcome to the next decade of your life. Unless you have really easy teachers/professors, you wont swing by without studying.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

If you didn't smoke this problem would go away. You brought it upon yourself. so get over it or quit. Smoking today by a young person is a clear demonstration of a lack of ability to manage one's life and apply any innate intelligence.

It may be, but what gives government the right to tell me what I should and should not be doing? Thats essentially what they do with taxes on alcohol and tobacco products. They tell you that these things are bad, and if you still want to do them, you will have to pay more.

PS. Im against smoking as its nasty, but I don't agree with the taxation on it. If people want to smoke and die from it, I'll call that evolution.

 

[Sashie VII]

I've been in a relationship for too long, I've forgotten how to win a girl from long distance.

At least I'm still in a relationship, but..

 

[Earthling]

It may be, but what gives government the right to tell me what I should and should not be doing? Thats essentially what they do with taxes on alcohol and tobacco products. They tell you that these things are bad, and if you still want to do them, you will have to pay more.

PS. Im against smoking as its nasty, but I don't agree with the taxation on it. If people want to smoke and die from it, I'll call that evolution.

Rant: It's understandable given how much cultural "contention/debate" there is over evolution, but it's annoying when people never come close to grasping epigenetics...(alt. - we've not advanced our knowledge of epigenetics enough).

Also rant- people who get angry at the people who can swing by without studying, because they're that awesome...Just good luck to you Schoolz man, don't stress too much

 

[Birdjaguar]

It may be, but what gives government the right to tell me what I should and should not be doing? Thats essentially what they do with taxes on alcohol and tobacco products. They tell you that these things are bad, and if you still want to do them, you will have to pay more.

PS. Im against smoking as its nasty, but I don't agree with the taxation on it. If people want to smoke and die from it, I'll call that evolution.

They are taxed severely because they know that users will continue to buy them in spite of the tax and the justification of causing health problems can be used to "sell" the tax to the rest of us. In some states, though, the tax revenue is linked to spending programs that help pay for services to those who smoke and drink. When state money is tight, sin taxes go up. I'd even support steep taxes on sugar based soft drinks and legalized marijuana.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

But again, what right does the government have to say that these things are sinful. What should it care? I do what I want as long as its within legal bounds. I don't need the government to tell me that this choice I make in my consumerism is bad. Thats social engineering and I don't like it one bit. Why not tax staple goods as well? After all, people will still buy them in spite of the taxes.

Now if health care becomes a public affair, then I can see the justification of taxing products that are known to make us unhealthy. Its offsetting the cost of future medical care for those people that damaged their health through the use of these products.

 

[choxorn]

But again, what right does the government have to say that these things are sinful.

That's, erm, basically the entire job of the government: Decide what things are bad and should have restrictions placed on them.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

That's, erm, basically the entire job of the government: Decide what things are bad and should have restrictions placed on them.

The government has no place doing this kind of social engineering. If they wanted them restricted, they'd be restricted. This is a passive-aggressive move.

In my mind its just wrong. If its bad and you think it shouldnt be sold, then ban it. Otherwise, dont punish those of us who make these stupid choices. They're our own to make.


So there's my rant: Im tired of the government trying to muck about in my private life. As long as I do not harm another person, there is no justification whatsoever for any sort of invasion of my privacy nor for any sort of pressuring.

 

[sophie]

Grr, I'm really frustrated with Risk. I was in a great position! I took all of Australia and half of Asia on turn one. But 2 of the players formed a coalition; one had North America, the other had South America and Africa. I had to spend all my resources disrupting them, so by turn three I still didn't have Asia. Then the one in Africa swept in and took out southern Asia and broke into Australia. At that point I saw the writing on the wall.

Asia man, it's great to have, but if you can't take it in one turn you're screwed.

 

[Shekwan]

After today I'm pretty sure that I will never be able to stomach typing the word neoliberalism again.

 

[Mr_Anderson]

The world just sucks. Etc. Well a bit anyway.

"Asia man, it's great to have, but if you can't take it in one turn you're screwed."

"Never fight a land war in Asia."

General Patton.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

My air purifier is so bored at listening to me quietly swear at the router that I think it just yawned at me! It made the same sound I do when I yawn!

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

dont punish those of us who make these stupid choices.

Sure, as long as your habit doesn't have any negative externalities associated with it. Otherwise, something has to cover that cost.

 

[Kozmos]

Eh...smoking is okay as long your under control. I like to light up a few during a weekend to relax. My own rolled up stuff. The factory produced stuff is nasty.

 

[nonconformist]

Yes, yes you can.
And I wouldn't mind.

Now my rant:

I'm out of fags again. This is getting outrageous. This is sheer oppression. The purpose of the government is not to legislate sin. If I wish to poison myself with sweet sweet fag smoke so be it. The idea of a "sin tax" is offensive and patronizing as if the population is incapable of deciding what is best for itself, which is certainely the case for large segments of the population indeed so I guess I support that when it comes to economic arena, but when it comes to personal decesions and matters of the bedroom the government should err on the side of privacy as established in the various contraception cases which are seemingly found in the penumbras of the Constitution. Thus could the argument be made that "sin tax" is unconstitutional?

No it can't because the broad powers of the government to regulate interstate commerce is well established and fags almost certainely fall under interstate commerce. I support this. So I'm not sure what I'm saying at this point. I guess I'm just ranting that fags are expensive.

The concept of it is as much to offset the inevitable cost of future medical treatment (for things ranging from emphysema, shortness of breath, nausea, teeth-whitening, even trying to give it up), and as such, it is perfectly justified, so as to not make the non-smokers suffer the economic pitfalls of paying for smokers.

FWIW, I recently stopped smoking straights, and went back to rollies after about 5 months; it's cheaper,a nd I find I smoke less.

 

[Shekwan]

Eh...smoking is okay as long your under control. I like to light up a few during a weekend to relax. My own rolled up stuff. The factory produced stuff is nasty.

I would assume roll up tobacco comes from factories too. Unless you grow tobacco?

 

[Karalysia]

I wish I could roll, but I just end up creating a paper ball with with substance inside. I do however have a pipe. I wonder if I should take up pipe smoking? It would certainly be more classy than fags. Now if only I could buy a monocle, top hat, and cane somewhere I could have the complete decadent British aristocracy look.

 

[Shekwan]

It doesn't take much effort to figure out how to roll, can teach yourself after a few attempts. Doesn't have to look great either, and its hard to roll one thats impossible to smoke.

If I smoked I would definitely smoke roll ups, cheaper and healthier. Although its more associated with stoners in the States than over here so you might experience some mild prejudice from people.