The Obama version of the military is kicking around the idea of banning smoking by all US military personell. As you can guess, their rationale is financial...as in any health costs that taxpayers bear as a result of smoking in the military.
It also serves as a perfect example of things to come, if Obamacare becomes a reality.
Via USA Today [2]:
Pentagon health experts are urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to ban the use of tobacco by troops and end its sale on military property, a change that could dramatically alter a culture intertwined with smoking.
Jack Smith, head of the Pentagon’s office of clinical and program policy, says he will recommend that Gates adopt proposals by a federal study that cites rising tobacco use and higher costs for the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs as reasons for the ban.
The study by the Institute of Medicine, requested by the VA and Pentagon, calls for a phased-in ban over a period of years, perhaps up to 20. “We’ll certainly be taking that recommendation forward,” Smith says. ...
Now think about that same story in the light of Obama-care. How hard is it for you to imagine that same story, with just a few words changed around, reporting on a statement by somene in the leadership of a nationalized health care system about the idea of banning smoking nationwide because it costs taxpayers money...since they would then be paying the freight for a nationalized health system.
And then imagine the same story, but substitue smoking for trans-fats, hamburgers, msg, etc.. Or even playing with bottle-rockets, mountain climbing or any other risky behavior.
If Americans are insane enough to allow the government to take over healthcare in this country, it will become a gateway to government regulation - or outright bans - of an endless list of activities (and liberties).
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h/t Hot Air [3]
