LETTERS: TOBACCO SETTLEMENT IS BIG RIPOFF

To the editor:

We have just witnessed the second biggest ripoff of the public in American history. The first was the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 and the national debt of trillions of dollars which will be left for our children and grandchildren to bear. Now comes the so-called tobacco settlement, which is nothing less than criminal greed that will give the several states billions more to waste. But, of course, it won't lower our taxes. All this without a direct tax increase, but it is the same thing in a sneaky, roundabout way.

The tobacco companies wouldn't fight this suit because they are smart enough to know that they can't win against a stacked deck. This has been proven too many times. If the government can't win with government-appointed judges, government-paid prosecutors and government-picked jurors, then the judge will simply overrule the jury, which is illegal according to the Constitution. But no matter. They do it whenever they feel like it anyway.

All the people connected to this suit know that the tobacco companies can't bear this expense without going broke. So what will they do? The same thing companies always do when faced with an additional expense. They raise prices. This they have done in a big way. I am not a smoker, but I hate to see anyone ripped off, especially in a sneaky, underhanded way.

The tobacco companies sell a product, but they don't force anyone to buy it. Therefore, they have no moral obligation to the smokers or anyone else. On the other hand, the government uses force or the threat of force to obtain its loot. If you don't believe this, then try to refuse to pay the taxes the government claims you own whether or not you do, and then let me know how you come out. Anyone who smokes and still supports these greedy politicians deserves what he gets. Non-smokers probably think they will be exempt from the results of this trickery, but they are due for a rude awakening, I'm afraid.

RAY UMBDENSTOCK

Cape Girardeau