Jacob, I understand your point, I also dislike Trump and MAGA, but disagree with your forecasts. I would have hoped that Trump would have conducted an even more aggressive campaign against the Democrat dominated prohibitionist alignment. Instead, Trump proceeded clumsily on the whole issue that lead to Makary's resignation, as a disoriented bull in a China shop. This is Trump's ways and demeanor in everything. However, the Democrats prohibitionist alignment at some point will have to take a hard political blow. They are causing much harm, even if their ways are different from Tump's caveman attitudes. OK, Trump met industry lobbyists, fine, just like Democrat politicians and the NYT meet lobbyists and PR people from Bloomberg's corporation and Pharma. Everybody is in bed with someone. Trump just did the political maneuvering all politicians do. US public sees tobacco industry as top evil that perpetually stains anybody touching it, while it perceives the tobacco control technocracy and Bloomberg NGOs as "good guys". This is carrying to 2026 a perception that was valid in 30-40 years ago and is now obsolete. Tobacco industry is as corrupt and manipulative as many other industries and as government bureaucracies (not to mention Bloomberg Corp), This obsolete perception must be challenged and smashed, too bad Trump is not smart enough to do it. . Meanwhile, millions smoke and face preventable premature disease and death
Actually, I think Democrats shouldn't waste time on the issue. Democrats should walk away from the "War on Vice" and all of the various manifestations of Nanny State power for which they have become famous. It is one of the most politically unpopular things that makes the Democratic brand toxic to many Americans. Making the deregulation of things that ought not to be regulated in the first place, regardless of the motives for the deregulation, is opposed to liberty and reason. People simply do not need or want the state to save them from themselves. It also inhibits the market from the discipline of financial consequences that might actually curb the unwanted behavior.
They say John Boehner used to pass out checks from Big Tobacco on the floor of the House to those voting against tobacco regulation. Is that any less corrupt than what the Trump administration is doing?
I reject the idea that allowing flavored vapes targeted at young people is a good idea. Whether vaping is superior to smoking cigarettes in regard to health outcomes is a separate matter.
Jacob, I understand your point, I also dislike Trump and MAGA, but disagree with your forecasts. I would have hoped that Trump would have conducted an even more aggressive campaign against the Democrat dominated prohibitionist alignment. Instead, Trump proceeded clumsily on the whole issue that lead to Makary's resignation, as a disoriented bull in a China shop. This is Trump's ways and demeanor in everything. However, the Democrats prohibitionist alignment at some point will have to take a hard political blow. They are causing much harm, even if their ways are different from Tump's caveman attitudes. OK, Trump met industry lobbyists, fine, just like Democrat politicians and the NYT meet lobbyists and PR people from Bloomberg's corporation and Pharma. Everybody is in bed with someone. Trump just did the political maneuvering all politicians do. US public sees tobacco industry as top evil that perpetually stains anybody touching it, while it perceives the tobacco control technocracy and Bloomberg NGOs as "good guys". This is carrying to 2026 a perception that was valid in 30-40 years ago and is now obsolete. Tobacco industry is as corrupt and manipulative as many other industries and as government bureaucracies (not to mention Bloomberg Corp), This obsolete perception must be challenged and smashed, too bad Trump is not smart enough to do it. . Meanwhile, millions smoke and face preventable premature disease and death
Actually, I think Democrats shouldn't waste time on the issue. Democrats should walk away from the "War on Vice" and all of the various manifestations of Nanny State power for which they have become famous. It is one of the most politically unpopular things that makes the Democratic brand toxic to many Americans. Making the deregulation of things that ought not to be regulated in the first place, regardless of the motives for the deregulation, is opposed to liberty and reason. People simply do not need or want the state to save them from themselves. It also inhibits the market from the discipline of financial consequences that might actually curb the unwanted behavior.
They say John Boehner used to pass out checks from Big Tobacco on the floor of the House to those voting against tobacco regulation. Is that any less corrupt than what the Trump administration is doing?
I reject the idea that allowing flavored vapes targeted at young people is a good idea. Whether vaping is superior to smoking cigarettes in regard to health outcomes is a separate matter.