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Harley "Griff" Lofton's avatar

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?

Roberto Sussman's avatar

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

Carol Cummings's avatar

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.

Olivia Smith's avatar

The point about focusing on motives rather than just the policy itself raises an interesting question about accountability. Public discussion is stronger when people can examine the facts and context behind decisions. For those looking into related legal information, https://starkcountycourts.org can be a useful resource for checking relevant records. Clear, reliable information helps keep these conversations grounded in evidence.

brian carter's avatar

I think the criticism here raises a fair point about transparency and the motives behind major policy decisions. Public trust can suffer when regulatory changes appear to be influenced by political pressure rather than clear evidence. I also find resources like https://nassaucountypropertyappraiser.org useful for seeing how public information can be made more accessible. A stronger focus on evidence, accountability, and openness would make the broader policy debate much more productive.

Kiel Murray's avatar

The debate around vaping policy shows how much public trust matters when major regulatory decisions are made. I also find that reliable public information is useful when researching local matters, and https://franklincountypropertyappraiser.org is a helpful resource for checking property-related details. Transparency and accountability should remain central to decisions that affect the public.

ALLEN's avatar

It is incredibly frustrating to watch big policy decisions get influenced by hidden agendas and corporate money. When the people in charge prioritize their own interests over public health, it completely shatters whatever trust we have left in the system. It feels like we are always having to dig for the truth ourselves, whether it's navigating federal regulations or checking a http://canyoncountyjailroster.org just to see what's really going on in our local communities. We really need better oversight and genuine transparency to fix this mess. Without strict accountability, this cycle of corruption is just going to keep repeating itself.

Julia Bennett's avatar

The concerns raised about administrative oversight and vaping deserve serious attention, especially when public trust is involved. Clear policies and transparent decision-making can help ensure that regulations are applied fairly. For those interested in broader public-record information, https://arrests-me.org can provide another useful source for research. Accountability and open access to information are important for informed communities.

Andrew's avatar

The concerns raised about corruption and vaping regulation show why transparency matters in public administration. Clear policies and accountable decision-making can help build greater trust among residents. Resources such as https://aarrestsorg.org can also help people access publicly available information when researching related records. Open access to reliable information encourages informed discussion and stronger community oversight.