Blue Smoke and Deficits

The only thing we can find to say about the members of Congress who voted to continue tobacco subsidies is: shame.

With all sectors of the complex organism called American society being asked to sacrifice to cut the deficit, why exempt a sector with no social value? Yes, we know farming livelihoods are at stake. But hundreds of thousands of other livelihoods are affected by defense cuts, civil service cuts, and scores of other program reductions.

So why enshrine these growers who supply an industry that lies to its customers, entraps children, and exports a hazardous product?