TOBACCO BILL EXCESSES

IF you thought the primary purpose of the federal legislation was to curb
teen smoking, punish cigarette-makers for past deceptions, or recoup health
costs for victims, think again.

Democrats and Republicans have latched onto the package as an all-purpose
vehicle for tax-cut goodies - even as they push for a bipartisan,
multibillion-dollar tax hike on cigarettes that will disproportionately hit
middle- and lower-income Americans.

The shiniest new ornament hung from the tobacco Christmas tree is a $46
billion tax break for married couples pushed through this week by the
Senate GOP leadership. Eliminating the so-called marriage penalty is an
idea worth considering, but on its own merits, and with a full and open
airing of the true costs and impact of ostensible fixes.

Same goes for providing relief to self-employed workers who buy health
insurance in the individual market, another additive to the tobacco bill
advocated by both Republicans and Democrats. There are serious regulatory
problems in that segment of the insurance market. But leeching off the
tobacco bill won't solve the underlying problems.

For good measure, Republicans have also larded the tobacco bill with $3
billion in new anti-drug efforts. The GOP is also attempting to attach a
pro-school-voucher amendment that would pay for students who have been
victims of drug crimes to switch from public to private schools.

Political freeloaders are tacking on ideological decorations to a
once-promising tobacco bill that inevitably - and mercifully - will
collapse of its own weight.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski