Hey Veto! Got a light?

The veto pen has mighty power. The tobacco industry has even more.

President Bush said today that he would once again veto the proposed SCHIP bill that Congress has vowed to send back to his desk. Why? It's not because he is concerned about the poor children that supposedly aren't getting a fair shake, or his excuse that Congress is spending irrationally (that truly is laughable coming from him). He doesn't want to piss off Mr. Big Tobacco (given name: Veto).

Cbs.com's coverage stated that "...the president told House Republicans in a private meeting that he would veto any measure that raised tobacco taxes, asignificant hardening of the administration's public position...". The Democrats new proposal would raise taxes on tobacco and includes a 61-cent raise per pack to fund the $35 billion projected cost of the bill. The proposal from House Republicans made no mention of the tobacco tax increase.

Just your same 'ol money and power issue. Cough.

Now, this is funny. This scene happened at a fundraiser Bush attended back in 1992:

"To your health, Mr. President," the toastmaster said as 4,100 well-wishers at the Washington Convention Center lifted champagne glasses embossed with the words: "The United States Tobacco Co." Bush smiled and the black-tie gathering roared approval.

The largest contribution of the evening was for $100,000 from US Tobacco chief and CEO, Louis Battle, but there was no discussion of tobacco at the GOP fundraiser last spring - just Republican politics, George Bush and money.
(originally printed in a feature by Tom Ferraro - multinationalmonitor.org, 1992)

Don't get me wrong, I'm not on my "I hate Bush and all Republicans" bandwagon...again. (Although I do get a kick out of the lefty bloggers that call them Repugs or Repukes.) The tobacco lobby gives tons of money to both parties. I have great issue with lobbying in general, but that will be addressed in a future blog about my ideas on campaign finance and election reform.

I just think it is sick that an industry that kills approx 400,000 per year - or 1 in every 5 deaths in the US (CDC.gov)-- is what is controlling the decision to refuse increasing medical assistance for our children and our poor.