Originally Posted by aceventura3

If you were my friend I would sit down with you and say "Stop".

"Stop" the pretense, you are not kidding anyone. If you don't see the flaws in your position, you have to be the only one.

"Stop" being a victim of circumstance. Stand up for what you believe in. I heard that having balls is the new black. You do not have to compromise on issues or on those things that are important to you.

"Stop" thinking that "things" are your enemy. Phillip Morris is a "thing". Government can tax/regulate or whatever, Phillip Morris out of business. People make the choice to smoke or not smoke and as long as there is demand smoking products will be supplied. Energy is better spent on the demand issue.

"Stop" the denial. Everyone knows that the tobacco industry is good for government revenues. Government wants the industry to do well enough for the billions settled on and now needed to supplement budgets. And on top of that many like you want the tobacco industry to help fund health care for children. Everyone knows these costs are passed on to consumers. Everyone knows that the poor disproportionately spend more on smoking than other wealth classes.

"Stop" thinking you have all the answers. There are unintended consequence to most acts. No one person can foresee them all. Use a cycle of feedback so when confronted with future problems the same mistakes are not made over and over, i.e. FISA. Liberal are on a path with FISA that wont turnout the way you think. Use the point of view of others to add value to your views rather than immediately dismissing the views of others.

Since you are "done" you may never read this, but if you do try not to respond. Your response will be emotional. Facing reality is tough, best of luck.