Thursday, June 23, 22011
“For with man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
As I read Wednesday, June 22, 2011 Wall Street Journal article Labels Give Cigarette Packs a Ghoulish Makeover, I was numb. I had to read it a couple of times as the tears flow and said, “Thank You God.”
Six years to the day of my mother’s death, June 14, 2005 this was a victory. This is when you knew there was no turning back. The writing was on the wall. I cannot describe all the thoughts that were passing through my mind. My involvement in this came when we received my mother’s Death Certificate. When I looked at it, I could not believe what it stated, “Tobacco Abuse.” I was so grateful that the Doctor told the truth and did not cover it up. Thus began our fight to somehow make a difference.
So many people have been in this fight for many years. You could tell it was getting more intense, as more laws were being passed, more court cases were being won for families and more countries were willing to speak up about the harmful effects and the costs to their countries.
We have come this far and I still believe that one day The Tobacco Accountability Act for Americans will be passed with a stated purpose: “the tobacco industry will be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases and will provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and/or premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They will subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or secondhand smoke.”
The Food and Drug Administration now has the authority to regulate tobacco products. The fact that the cigarette makers have to add large, graphic warning labels on their cigarette packages is mandatory and they cannot hide the truth any longer. This is the beginning of real change in our health care reform initiative. We all know someone who has a tobacco-related illness and they are fighting for their life right now. Hopefully, lives will be saved and many changed because now, Americans will know the truth and the truth shall set them free.
Dr. Mike Murdock wrote about truth, "Truth is the most powerful thing on earth because it is the only thing that cannot be changed."
Thank you for allowing me to share my story with you over these past six years. I am so grateful; that my mother’s living and dying was not in vain, and maybe our testimony, somehow help made a difference. All . . .
For the Glory of God,
Valerie Foy
Email: speakingthetruth@yahoo.com
A seed for America .
P.S. Below is a copy of our first message to the Food and Drug Administration.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Commissioner
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20851-0001
RE: R. J. Reynolds
Dear U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner:
I am following up on my letter to you of August 31, 2005 in regards to R.J. Reynolds.
Can someone please advice, why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allow companies such as R.J. Reynolds and all the other cigarette companies continue to be in business? You must know that these products - cigarettes, causes long term illnesses, high medical bills and ultimately death in families?
Each year millions of people die and the fact that the government gives these companies a stamp of approval, and allow this evil to manifest itself in our society is one reason, why all these things are happening in this country. These companies are profiting through the illnesses of people, who do not know or understand the harmful effects of these cigarettes upon their life.
How many people knew that they would be addicted to this product? How many people knew if they continue to smoke cigarettes, it would cause them to have emphysema, bad lungs, a heart attack or any of the other related illnesses?
Each one of these people bodies are the temple. The temple of Whom? The temple of God . And because companies do not have a reverence or respect for God and His commandments, companies like R.J. Reynolds can continue to make cigarettes, with no concern of the after effects of their products on a person’s life.
And in the case of R.J. Reynolds, their Former CEO Mr. Bowman testified in June 1964 before Congress on behalf of R J Reynolds:-
“If it is proven that cigarettes are harmful, we want to do something about it regardless of what somebody else tells us to do. And we would do our level best. This is just being human.”
Every person that smokes their product, R.J. Reynolds and every other cigarette company should be made liable to pay for every person whose death was caused by the use of tobacco. They made this product, deceiving the public until they got hooked on these products, and then later came out with the Surgeon General’s warning of the harmful effects, after they were pressured to reveal these facts. They knew it but refuse to do the right thing. And because they refused to do the right thing, people became addicted and then the battle to stay alive by withdrawing from this drug became a battle for them, their families and the doctors to help them see what was happening to their bodies and to keep them alive.
How can the government support something that it knows will kill people? How can the government justify, that they have a right to be in business when it will cost the people their life, the government money to monitor the health industry to make sure the pharmaceutical companies keep their products at a reasonable price, and the physicians that they do not over charge Medicare or Medicaid for the medicine people have to take to stay alive (i.e. pills, oxygen tanks, inhalers, etc.). or any of other products.
What I saw happening to my mother was very hard for me to understand, she was hooked on these cigarettes and did everything to get a cigarette. When she would take her oxygen tank off to go outside to smoke in the cold of a winter month, I knew this was more serious then I could ever expect. Even though she could not drive, when she was attempting to go and drive herself to get a pack of cigarettes, I told her no. To see how defiant she was about that was unbelievable.
When they showed Johnny Carson on television, and how he too was a habitual cigarette smoker. No one can imagine how this product takes control of a person’s mind and body. There is nothing anyone can say or do, to justify these companies having a license to kill.
My mother’s doctor told us his father was 80 years old and still smoke, even though he had a heart attack and have a pace maker. He knows about all the harmful effects from his son. His response to them is, “I don’t smoke in the house. It is not hurting anyone.” Mind you, he goes outside into the field in the open air. He lives in Kentucky .
So it has no choice victim. Anyone who does not know the harmful effects will get hooked on cigarette smoking and their life will never be the same.
So I write this letter to you in hopes that the USFDA will seriously hold R.J. Reynolds and every other cigarette manufacturer liable for every death. If they are bold enough to make these products, keep raising their prices and bank on people continuing to smoke, they should be made to liable pay every claim that is submitted to them. It drug dealers are illegal, cigarettes should be made illegal. They both add nothing to the well-being of a person and society has to deal with it in more ways than one.
If R.J. Reynolds can make these products, they should be made to pay for the tragedies their products afflict on people and their families.
What they and every company like them are doing is against the Word of God. These people bodies are not their own. They get caught up in this sin because companies such as R.J. Reynolds is out for one thing, to be in the black and give their shareholders a return on their investment in the death and illness of every American that smokes their cigarettes. And if the U.S. government thinks this is right, and this evil is allowed to permeate in our society, it is wrong.
I hope and pray that this evil which has been allowed to permeate will not be allowed to destroy another life or families in this country or abroad.
Even though they may win now, but everyone such as Ms. Ivey, the Stockholders, the Managers and everyone who manufactured and promoted this will have to answer this one question, “Did you not know that your products were destroying the life that I gave each and every one of them?”
And how will the USFDA, Ms. Ivey, and all the others answer, who knows their products (tobacco) which encouraged cigarette smoking kills?
R J Reynolds may not answer my letter, but they will have to answer for all that they have done and continue to do with their legal drug to kill.
There is no excuse the USFDA, RJ Reynolds, Ms. Ivey or anyone can give.
Thank you for allowing me to share this with you.
Sincerely,
Valerie Foy
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Tobacco Industry Should Have A Health Care Insurance Plan For Their Loyal Customers
“For with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
As many Americans know the health care bill has been repelled which was passed in 2010, because of a mandate for Americans to purchase health insurance by 2014 or pay a tax penalty. Many are stating this is unconstitutional and a violation of Americans rights.
The President, as well as, the elected representatives tried to make sure most Americans would have health insurance to help curb increased health care costs to families and States. The health care plan would have been an option to covered 30 million Americans (or more) that does not have health insurance now. Nevertheless, we still have a pending health care problem.
If we have 43.3 million smokers in the United States and the President is trying to insure 30 million Americans who do not have any insurance, how many of those 30 million Americans have tobacco-related diseases? How much is this going to cost the States to provide medical assistance to these Americans who have tobacco-related diseases without going to the government for assistance?
If they are not receiving medical assistance through either one of these programs Medicare of Medicaid, then they are missing out on the Master Settlement Agreement funds which were allocated to the States and those smokers should be accounted for through the Tobacco Accountability Act (TAA).
When we contacted the Governors in December 2010 and humbly submitted www.webspawner/user.com/taa2010/index.html as an alternative to meet their health care policy and funding (i.e., budgets) for their diverse residents, one reminded me of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement.
So we went and reviewed it. According to Wilkipedia The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) was an agreement entered into in November 1998, originally between the four largest US tobacco companies and the attorneys general of 46 states. The states settled their Medicaid lawsuits against the tobacco industry for recovery of their tobacco-related health care costs, and also exempted the companies from private tort liability regarding harm caused by tobacco use. In exchange, the companies agreed to curtail or cease certain tobacco marketing practices, as well as to pay, in perpetuity, various annual payments to the states to compensate them for some of the medical costs of caring for persons with smoking-related illnesses. The money also funds a new anti-smoking advocacy group, called the American Legacy Foundation, that is responsible for such campaigns as The Truth. The settlement also dissolved the tobacco industry groups Tobacco Institute, the Center for Indoor Air Research, and the Council for Tobacco Research. In the MSA, the OPMs (Original Participating Manufacturers) agreed to pay a minimum of $206 billion over the first twenty-five years of the agreement.
The attorneys general did not have the authority to grant all this by themselves: the Global Settlement Agreement would require an act of Congress. Senator John McCain carried the bill, which was much more aggressive than even the global settlement. However, in the spring of 1998, Congress rejected both the proposed settlement and an alternative proposal submitted by Senator John McCain of Arizona.
According to Wilkipedia Fellows within the Cato Institute, such as Robert Levy, assert that the lawsuit that brought on the tobacco settlement was instigated by a need to make beneficiary payments to Medicare recipients. Following the passage of laws that eliminated the tobacco companies' ability to provide evidence in court for their defense, the tobacco companies were forced to settle. The big four tobacco companies agreed to pay the state governments several billion dollars but the government in turn was to protect the big four tobacco companies from competition. The Master Settlement Agreement, they argue, created an unconstitutional cartel arrangement that benefited both the government and big tobacco. Robert Levy stated:
For 40 years, tobacco companies had not been held liable for cigarette-related illnesses. Then, beginning in 1994, led by Florida, states across the country sued big tobacco to recover public outlays for medical expenses due to smoking. By changing the law to guarantee they would win in court, the states extorted a quarter-trillion-dollar settlement, which was passed along in higher cigarette prices. Basically, the tobacco companies had money; the states and their hired-gun attorneys wanted money; so the companies paid and the states collected. Then sick smokers got stuck with the bill."
The tobacco industry is still not held accountable for the deaths that take place because of their product. The States have been awarded large sums of money until 2025. But during the process, people are dying. People are being afflicted with tobacco-related diseases. It was reported in Consumer Affairs, “States have cut funding for programs to reduce tobacco use by more than 15% in the past year; even as they are collecting record amounts of money from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement and tobacco taxes. These programs are to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit. Only one state North Dakota currently funds a tobacco prevention program at the level recommended by the CDC. Tobacco companies spends $20 to market tobacco products for every one dollar the States spend to fight tobacco use.” So what are they doing with the monies they receive every month for this option within the MSA? Some people do not have insurance and therefore do not receive the proper health care needed to keep them alive. Something is seriously wrong with this.
The tobacco industry is banking on people smoking and the States are too. They have the States and government in hostage of ever really holding them accountable. There is no ignoring the fact that cigarette smoke affects a smoker body, from head to toe and has a negative impact on their health. As we all know, nicotine is the addictive ingredient in cigarettes which is worst then someone being on crack. There is enough nicotine in four or five cigarettes to kill an average adult if ingested whole. Most smokers take in only one or two milligrams of nicotine per cigarette however, with the remainder being burned off.
The States reaped large financial gains from the tobacco industry. For each State, the MSA estimated a present value per pack differential between medical costs attributed to smokers and medical costs attributed to nonsmokers. These per pack costs are then used to generate total medical costs when they are multiplied by the total number of packs sold in a state. From these total costs, each State was assigned a medical cost share.
This stands to reason; people who are afflicted with tobacco-related diseases are still not receiving the medical coverage they need. The States do not have a record of who the smokers are in their States. They are concerned with the number of packs of cigarettes sold and how much revenue they received from the increased taxes on these packs of cigarettes sold. The tobacco industry is only concern with covering the medical costs of people who are being covered on Medicaid, Medicare, or any public health program. What happens to the people who smoke and are not covered under either one of these programs?
If the states have been awarded this money based on how many packs of cigarettes are sold in their states, they should know who those smokers are. How? By mailing out a survey to every household to determine if those people are smokers, receiving Medicare and/or Medicaid, have any tobacco-related diseases or insurance. Otherwise, no one is being held accountable to those Americans in those states which have tobacco related diseases. As Assemblyman Conaway stated, “An insured population uses resources more wisely, instead of going to the emergency room and getting treatment that costs four times as much.”
We still believe there should be a Tobacco Accountability Act where the tobacco industry should be held accountable to the very people their product has addicted and afflicted. They caused the health problems and they must pay for it. It would have a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry will be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases and will provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and/or premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They will subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or secondhand smoke.”
States who receive payments from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement must forward all recorded documented deaths to the Attorney General of their states monitoring the Master Settlement Agreement for further assessment to families who has not benefited in this agreed upon settlement.”
On June 20, 1997, the Food and Drug Administration regulation would have the authority to put stronger warning labels and restrictions on advertising. The congressional proposal would have earmarked 1/3 of all funds to combat teenage smoking. No such restrictions appear in the Multistate Settlement Agreement. That was 14 years ago.
The Tobacco Control Act which was passed June 2010 requires FDA to issue final regulations requiring color graphics by June 22, 2011. It also specifies that the requirement for the new health warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements will take effect 15 months after issuance of this final rule.
Everyone is crying about, "They want a smaller government. The government is trying to be involved in people's lives, especially when it comes to their health care choices. The government wants to have a socialized health care program.” Here is an opportunity for all those who want government out of the health care business to take a "real” stand and have the ones who are causing these health care problems be held accountable.
If any State has any smokers in their State, it is just a matter of time that those tobacco-related health care costs, are going to increase their health care budgets for their constituents. Who will they be looking to help meet those expenditures when the MSA expires in 2025? The government.
Everyone knows the insurance industry charges additional fees to Americans who have pre-existing conditions, smoke, are overweight and now credit scores. In the recent health care bill passed, the insurance industry would not be able to charge additional fees for anyone who has a pre-existing condition. It would stand to reason; they would benefit the most, if the tobacco industry would insure their “loyal customers” directly with the insurance industry, just as they do with their employees. Maybe those Americans would have a better chance at fighting those tobacco-related diseases and live longer for their families with a comprehensive health insurance plan through the tobacco industry.
As we wrestle with every aspect of this health care reform initiative in America some will ask, what does The ”Tobacco Accountability Act” have to do with this? Everything! The cost factors to keep Americans with pre-existing tobacco-related diseases will bankrupt any health care reform initiative without the tobacco industry subsidy. Everyone knows this. They have targeted customers, some in bondage for life. The tobacco industry should have a health insurance benefits program for their “loyal” customers.
The only way we can address this pending health care crisis in America is to implement the 2011 Tobacco Accountability Act and the message Smoking Can Kill You on cigarette packaging and advertisements.
Otherwise, we are doing a disservice to the sanctity of life and allowing the tobacco industry to continue to manipulate the truth about its product. We are kidding ourselves when we do not address the magnitude of this habit and the health care costs to families. This is the only product on the market that when it is used as intended destroys a life and families. It kills.
One thing is certain: cigarettes snuff out life at an alarming rate. Half of all long-term smokers will die a tobacco-related death. In 2005 my mother died. When we received her Death Certificate, it stated: Cause of Death was "tobacco."
Thus began our crusade to somehow make a difference with the “Tobacco Accountability Act” for others who are just a number of total packs of cigarettes sold throughout the year, with no health insurance.
We hope that as the House Republicans continue in their pursuit to repel the passed health care bill, that they will consider this option as a health care funding alternative for Americans with tobacco-related diseases, which do not have health insurance. It’s the right thing to do, for such a time as this.
As many Americans know the health care bill has been repelled which was passed in 2010, because of a mandate for Americans to purchase health insurance by 2014 or pay a tax penalty. Many are stating this is unconstitutional and a violation of Americans rights.
The President, as well as, the elected representatives tried to make sure most Americans would have health insurance to help curb increased health care costs to families and States. The health care plan would have been an option to covered 30 million Americans (or more) that does not have health insurance now. Nevertheless, we still have a pending health care problem.
If we have 43.3 million smokers in the United States and the President is trying to insure 30 million Americans who do not have any insurance, how many of those 30 million Americans have tobacco-related diseases? How much is this going to cost the States to provide medical assistance to these Americans who have tobacco-related diseases without going to the government for assistance?
If they are not receiving medical assistance through either one of these programs Medicare of Medicaid, then they are missing out on the Master Settlement Agreement funds which were allocated to the States and those smokers should be accounted for through the Tobacco Accountability Act (TAA).
When we contacted the Governors in December 2010 and humbly submitted www.webspawner/user.com/taa2010/index.html as an alternative to meet their health care policy and funding (i.e., budgets) for their diverse residents, one reminded me of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement.
So we went and reviewed it. According to Wilkipedia The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) was an agreement entered into in November 1998, originally between the four largest US tobacco companies and the attorneys general of 46 states. The states settled their Medicaid lawsuits against the tobacco industry for recovery of their tobacco-related health care costs, and also exempted the companies from private tort liability regarding harm caused by tobacco use. In exchange, the companies agreed to curtail or cease certain tobacco marketing practices, as well as to pay, in perpetuity, various annual payments to the states to compensate them for some of the medical costs of caring for persons with smoking-related illnesses. The money also funds a new anti-smoking advocacy group, called the American Legacy Foundation, that is responsible for such campaigns as The Truth. The settlement also dissolved the tobacco industry groups Tobacco Institute, the Center for Indoor Air Research, and the Council for Tobacco Research. In the MSA, the OPMs (Original Participating Manufacturers) agreed to pay a minimum of $206 billion over the first twenty-five years of the agreement.
The attorneys general did not have the authority to grant all this by themselves: the Global Settlement Agreement would require an act of Congress. Senator John McCain carried the bill, which was much more aggressive than even the global settlement. However, in the spring of 1998, Congress rejected both the proposed settlement and an alternative proposal submitted by Senator John McCain of Arizona.
According to Wilkipedia Fellows within the Cato Institute, such as Robert Levy, assert that the lawsuit that brought on the tobacco settlement was instigated by a need to make beneficiary payments to Medicare recipients. Following the passage of laws that eliminated the tobacco companies' ability to provide evidence in court for their defense, the tobacco companies were forced to settle. The big four tobacco companies agreed to pay the state governments several billion dollars but the government in turn was to protect the big four tobacco companies from competition. The Master Settlement Agreement, they argue, created an unconstitutional cartel arrangement that benefited both the government and big tobacco. Robert Levy stated:
For 40 years, tobacco companies had not been held liable for cigarette-related illnesses. Then, beginning in 1994, led by Florida, states across the country sued big tobacco to recover public outlays for medical expenses due to smoking. By changing the law to guarantee they would win in court, the states extorted a quarter-trillion-dollar settlement, which was passed along in higher cigarette prices. Basically, the tobacco companies had money; the states and their hired-gun attorneys wanted money; so the companies paid and the states collected. Then sick smokers got stuck with the bill."
The tobacco industry is still not held accountable for the deaths that take place because of their product. The States have been awarded large sums of money until 2025. But during the process, people are dying. People are being afflicted with tobacco-related diseases. It was reported in Consumer Affairs, “States have cut funding for programs to reduce tobacco use by more than 15% in the past year; even as they are collecting record amounts of money from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement and tobacco taxes. These programs are to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit. Only one state North Dakota currently funds a tobacco prevention program at the level recommended by the CDC. Tobacco companies spends $20 to market tobacco products for every one dollar the States spend to fight tobacco use.” So what are they doing with the monies they receive every month for this option within the MSA? Some people do not have insurance and therefore do not receive the proper health care needed to keep them alive. Something is seriously wrong with this.
The tobacco industry is banking on people smoking and the States are too. They have the States and government in hostage of ever really holding them accountable. There is no ignoring the fact that cigarette smoke affects a smoker body, from head to toe and has a negative impact on their health. As we all know, nicotine is the addictive ingredient in cigarettes which is worst then someone being on crack. There is enough nicotine in four or five cigarettes to kill an average adult if ingested whole. Most smokers take in only one or two milligrams of nicotine per cigarette however, with the remainder being burned off.
The States reaped large financial gains from the tobacco industry. For each State, the MSA estimated a present value per pack differential between medical costs attributed to smokers and medical costs attributed to nonsmokers. These per pack costs are then used to generate total medical costs when they are multiplied by the total number of packs sold in a state. From these total costs, each State was assigned a medical cost share.
This stands to reason; people who are afflicted with tobacco-related diseases are still not receiving the medical coverage they need. The States do not have a record of who the smokers are in their States. They are concerned with the number of packs of cigarettes sold and how much revenue they received from the increased taxes on these packs of cigarettes sold. The tobacco industry is only concern with covering the medical costs of people who are being covered on Medicaid, Medicare, or any public health program. What happens to the people who smoke and are not covered under either one of these programs?
If the states have been awarded this money based on how many packs of cigarettes are sold in their states, they should know who those smokers are. How? By mailing out a survey to every household to determine if those people are smokers, receiving Medicare and/or Medicaid, have any tobacco-related diseases or insurance. Otherwise, no one is being held accountable to those Americans in those states which have tobacco related diseases. As Assemblyman Conaway stated, “An insured population uses resources more wisely, instead of going to the emergency room and getting treatment that costs four times as much.”
We still believe there should be a Tobacco Accountability Act where the tobacco industry should be held accountable to the very people their product has addicted and afflicted. They caused the health problems and they must pay for it. It would have a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry will be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases and will provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and/or premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They will subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or secondhand smoke.”
States who receive payments from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement must forward all recorded documented deaths to the Attorney General of their states monitoring the Master Settlement Agreement for further assessment to families who has not benefited in this agreed upon settlement.”
On June 20, 1997, the Food and Drug Administration regulation would have the authority to put stronger warning labels and restrictions on advertising. The congressional proposal would have earmarked 1/3 of all funds to combat teenage smoking. No such restrictions appear in the Multistate Settlement Agreement. That was 14 years ago.
The Tobacco Control Act which was passed June 2010 requires FDA to issue final regulations requiring color graphics by June 22, 2011. It also specifies that the requirement for the new health warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements will take effect 15 months after issuance of this final rule.
Everyone is crying about, "They want a smaller government. The government is trying to be involved in people's lives, especially when it comes to their health care choices. The government wants to have a socialized health care program.” Here is an opportunity for all those who want government out of the health care business to take a "real” stand and have the ones who are causing these health care problems be held accountable.
If any State has any smokers in their State, it is just a matter of time that those tobacco-related health care costs, are going to increase their health care budgets for their constituents. Who will they be looking to help meet those expenditures when the MSA expires in 2025? The government.
Everyone knows the insurance industry charges additional fees to Americans who have pre-existing conditions, smoke, are overweight and now credit scores. In the recent health care bill passed, the insurance industry would not be able to charge additional fees for anyone who has a pre-existing condition. It would stand to reason; they would benefit the most, if the tobacco industry would insure their “loyal customers” directly with the insurance industry, just as they do with their employees. Maybe those Americans would have a better chance at fighting those tobacco-related diseases and live longer for their families with a comprehensive health insurance plan through the tobacco industry.
As we wrestle with every aspect of this health care reform initiative in America some will ask, what does The ”Tobacco Accountability Act” have to do with this? Everything! The cost factors to keep Americans with pre-existing tobacco-related diseases will bankrupt any health care reform initiative without the tobacco industry subsidy. Everyone knows this. They have targeted customers, some in bondage for life. The tobacco industry should have a health insurance benefits program for their “loyal” customers.
The only way we can address this pending health care crisis in America is to implement the 2011 Tobacco Accountability Act and the message Smoking Can Kill You on cigarette packaging and advertisements.
Otherwise, we are doing a disservice to the sanctity of life and allowing the tobacco industry to continue to manipulate the truth about its product. We are kidding ourselves when we do not address the magnitude of this habit and the health care costs to families. This is the only product on the market that when it is used as intended destroys a life and families. It kills.
One thing is certain: cigarettes snuff out life at an alarming rate. Half of all long-term smokers will die a tobacco-related death. In 2005 my mother died. When we received her Death Certificate, it stated: Cause of Death was "tobacco."
Thus began our crusade to somehow make a difference with the “Tobacco Accountability Act” for others who are just a number of total packs of cigarettes sold throughout the year, with no health insurance.
We hope that as the House Republicans continue in their pursuit to repel the passed health care bill, that they will consider this option as a health care funding alternative for Americans with tobacco-related diseases, which do not have health insurance. It’s the right thing to do, for such a time as this.
Monday, November 29, 2010
What Will It Take?
As Americans prepare for Christmas, they are still uncertain about the state of America, how we are going to survive, mentally, physically and financially should any terrorist attack take place. The government is taking every measure to make sure we are safe.
Many people are battling severe worry, fear and anxiety. Many have lost their jobs, homes, life savings, marriages are ending in divorces, people are dealing with illnesses and diseases like never before.
We all know there is a shift in the world, where everything that we were once accustomed to doing, will no longer suffice. The things we depended on will no longer be there for us. We will have to align ourselves with the only Power who can take care of all our burdens.
In order for America to survive, our only hope and solution is to completely rely on the Lord. He is going to be our only hope, our only refuge, and our only protection in these very trying times.
Statistics say that over 60% of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. Under those conditions, one problem can send a person spiraling downward financially.
One lady wrote "she was taking 14 pills a day. Her husband has lost his job. They have two young children. How is this family going to maintain their home? Jobs are scarce; some do not have medical benefits. Each month they have to make a decision on how they are going to take care of their family and buy the medicine they need especially, if it is a tobacco-related disease. It’s hard. If I did not see this, I would not be able to write and share this with anyone.
States are going bankrupt. Everyone knows that tobacco is “toxic” and destroys lives to the point of death. The tobacco industry cannot continue to violate the very lives of people with their addictive products and not be held accountable. They must take care of their "loyal" customers. These are the customers they have nurtured over the years to the point where, they are now addicted to the nicotine which causes physical and psychological dependency. They are afflicted with tobacco-related diseases. In 8 out of 10 deaths, it is tobacco-related.
What will it take for our elected representatives to finally pass the "Tobacco Accountability Act?"
The "Tobacco Accountability Act" stated purpose, "the tobacco industry must be held accountable for tobacco-related diseases, provide medical screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke."
Just imagine, if they took a portion of that 16 billion dollars they spend to lobby, market and target certain groups of Americans and provide a health insurance benefits program, just maybe those Americans can have a better chance at fighting those tobacco-related diseases. Why not?
What will it take for America to take the lead in addressing this issue, and finally say, "Enough is enough? We can no longer make excuses to what we know to be true. Tobacco has afflicted and destroyed families and lives to the point of death, in America. We can no longer tolerate and turn our backs on the obvious. The tobacco industry must pay their fair share in this health care reform initiative for Americans who have documented tobacco-related diseases."
Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Genesis 1.31a.
For His Glory,
Valerie Foy
A seed for America.
Many people are battling severe worry, fear and anxiety. Many have lost their jobs, homes, life savings, marriages are ending in divorces, people are dealing with illnesses and diseases like never before.
We all know there is a shift in the world, where everything that we were once accustomed to doing, will no longer suffice. The things we depended on will no longer be there for us. We will have to align ourselves with the only Power who can take care of all our burdens.
In order for America to survive, our only hope and solution is to completely rely on the Lord. He is going to be our only hope, our only refuge, and our only protection in these very trying times.
Statistics say that over 60% of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. Under those conditions, one problem can send a person spiraling downward financially.
One lady wrote "she was taking 14 pills a day. Her husband has lost his job. They have two young children. How is this family going to maintain their home? Jobs are scarce; some do not have medical benefits. Each month they have to make a decision on how they are going to take care of their family and buy the medicine they need especially, if it is a tobacco-related disease. It’s hard. If I did not see this, I would not be able to write and share this with anyone.
States are going bankrupt. Everyone knows that tobacco is “toxic” and destroys lives to the point of death. The tobacco industry cannot continue to violate the very lives of people with their addictive products and not be held accountable. They must take care of their "loyal" customers. These are the customers they have nurtured over the years to the point where, they are now addicted to the nicotine which causes physical and psychological dependency. They are afflicted with tobacco-related diseases. In 8 out of 10 deaths, it is tobacco-related.
What will it take for our elected representatives to finally pass the "Tobacco Accountability Act?"
The "Tobacco Accountability Act" stated purpose, "the tobacco industry must be held accountable for tobacco-related diseases, provide medical screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke."
Just imagine, if they took a portion of that 16 billion dollars they spend to lobby, market and target certain groups of Americans and provide a health insurance benefits program, just maybe those Americans can have a better chance at fighting those tobacco-related diseases. Why not?
What will it take for America to take the lead in addressing this issue, and finally say, "Enough is enough? We can no longer make excuses to what we know to be true. Tobacco has afflicted and destroyed families and lives to the point of death, in America. We can no longer tolerate and turn our backs on the obvious. The tobacco industry must pay their fair share in this health care reform initiative for Americans who have documented tobacco-related diseases."
Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Genesis 1.31a.
For His Glory,
Valerie Foy
A seed for America.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
For The Soul of America
Who will stand for Americans in this health care reform initiative?
Why do we have to include everyone in this health care reform initiative and not think about Americans first and foremost?
This is our country. How can we be so concerned about everyone else, instead of the State of America? Are we so enthralled with “realism” that we do not see what is happening before our eyes?
If we go to the foreign nations to underwrite this health care reform initiative because we are in debt; who will eventually own America?
This health care reform initiative is vitally important to this country, but if we have to sell the soul of America to pay back what is already outstanding to these foreign countries because of the mortgage debacle, we had better be prepared for America to be in bondage to these foreign nations no matter how they package it.
The freedom that we proclaim every July 4th and our Pledge of Allegiance will mean nothing. Companies taking American jobs overseas for cheap labor; while other companies continue hiring illegal immigrants for cheap labor; while Americans are losing their jobs everyday and our security.
The foreign nations have already shown us their power (i.e., automotive) because we have forgotten God and what it means to be an American. They have already taken it in their hands and power to walk down the streets of Washington and make unjust demands.
When African Americans marched down the streets, they had every police department and “dogs” but yet we sit back in awe and forgot whose country this really is. And just think, no one dared to pass a bill to make sure African Americans received health care coverage or even an education, and they had every legal right to it.
It's sad because everyone wants to pretend that they care and at the end of the day, it's about the dollar and who gets it.
If this bill was really for Americans, Congressman Joe Wilson would not have to make that type of outburst to defend Americans with “You lie.” We all went to H.R. 3200 to find out the truth.
This health care reform initiative would not have one mention or coverage for illegal immigrants when Americans do not have health care benefits; or are losing their jobs while companies can still feel justified in hiring illegal immigrants.
There are 43.3 million smokers who will eventually have a tobacco related diseases or illness. The only way this country will ever be able to pay for this health care coverage is to have the industry that causes 6 of 8 chronic diseases in this country pay for their customer’s health care benefits. Why not?
We all can pretend we don’t know. Yes, they have a right to be in business as long as that business does not cost individual lives; families medical hardships; States health care systems’ extra expenditures, and the government’s shield to a pending health care crisis because everyone refuses to really look at the cost factors of this industry upon this health are reform initiative.
As quiet as it is being kept the tobacco industry is the one industry that is going to affect any health care reform initiative. All the elected representatives will refuse to address this issue and in a “rush to judgment” push to pass a health care reform bill this year, without logically answering, “How do we intend to pay for it?”
Two States, North Carolina and South Carolina have already proposed to pass on higher premium coverage to their State employees who are “obese” and “smokers.” The insurance industry already has a premium differential for “smokers.”
Will they ask the tobacco industry to supplement these smokers health care benefit premiums? I doubt it. Everyone is targeting the people to fund this health care reform initiative without looking at the industries that affect the health care of certain Americans.
We all know the story about the tobacco industry and how they did not inform people about the addictive ingredient of nicotine. So what happened? People became addicted and unable to stop smoking. Some died while other Americans have been able to overcome this addiction. There are 43.3 million smokers, God forbid if even half of them are affected with a tobacco related disease, how will they be able to take care of themselves medically? If they lose their jobs and do not have health care coverage, who will be responsible for paying this health care bill? The very States and elected representatives who are refusing to address this issue now. This is more serious than any foreign attack on this country. If Americans are not healthy, America will not be able to compete in this world.
Regardless of how each elected representative tries not to address the tobacco issue, this is an albatross around any health care reform in America.
As Americans we can ask our elected representatives to pass The Tobacco Accountability Act with a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases and will provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”
Otherwise, they can all go into their committees and work on this health care reform initiative for the next four years. If they do not call all the industries that will affect this health care reform; it is a waste of taxpayers’ time, money and energy.
Everyone should ask this question, how can we have drug stores prescribing medicines in the back of their stores everyday and in the front of their stores selling the most deadly product on the market? How can we have all the major retail stores selling $4.00 prescriptions to save Americans money on their prescriptions, when in the front of their stores at the check out registers they can buy a pack or carton of cigarettes that causes more health problems then that $4.00 savings can ever cover?
Something is seriously wrong with this health care reform initiative, when everyone wants to pretend that this pending health care crisis is not going to happen. It is. America must be prepared especially when we have lost our compassion and love of this country because of the greed, lack of respect for our laws, businesses hiring illegal immigrants with no thought of what this is costing America because they want to save a dollar on their taxes and health care coverage. Our elected representatives knows but refuses to stand for our laws and even do with all due respect a “Joe Wilson” stand to set the records straight.
This health care reform initiative goes far deeper than giving Americans health care benefits. It’s time for America to look at its’ soul and not cover up anything that will put us in a position of compromise and ultimately in bondage to the lobbyists, money brokers, power elite and foreign nations because we have lost our compassion and the courage of David to stand for our country.
All I can say is, “God have mercy. Help us to turn back to You for wisdom and guidance for such a time as this; for the soul of America.
For His Glory,
Valerie Foy
A seed for America.
Why do we have to include everyone in this health care reform initiative and not think about Americans first and foremost?
This is our country. How can we be so concerned about everyone else, instead of the State of America? Are we so enthralled with “realism” that we do not see what is happening before our eyes?
If we go to the foreign nations to underwrite this health care reform initiative because we are in debt; who will eventually own America?
This health care reform initiative is vitally important to this country, but if we have to sell the soul of America to pay back what is already outstanding to these foreign countries because of the mortgage debacle, we had better be prepared for America to be in bondage to these foreign nations no matter how they package it.
The freedom that we proclaim every July 4th and our Pledge of Allegiance will mean nothing. Companies taking American jobs overseas for cheap labor; while other companies continue hiring illegal immigrants for cheap labor; while Americans are losing their jobs everyday and our security.
The foreign nations have already shown us their power (i.e., automotive) because we have forgotten God and what it means to be an American. They have already taken it in their hands and power to walk down the streets of Washington and make unjust demands.
When African Americans marched down the streets, they had every police department and “dogs” but yet we sit back in awe and forgot whose country this really is. And just think, no one dared to pass a bill to make sure African Americans received health care coverage or even an education, and they had every legal right to it.
It's sad because everyone wants to pretend that they care and at the end of the day, it's about the dollar and who gets it.
If this bill was really for Americans, Congressman Joe Wilson would not have to make that type of outburst to defend Americans with “You lie.” We all went to H.R. 3200 to find out the truth.
This health care reform initiative would not have one mention or coverage for illegal immigrants when Americans do not have health care benefits; or are losing their jobs while companies can still feel justified in hiring illegal immigrants.
There are 43.3 million smokers who will eventually have a tobacco related diseases or illness. The only way this country will ever be able to pay for this health care coverage is to have the industry that causes 6 of 8 chronic diseases in this country pay for their customer’s health care benefits. Why not?
We all can pretend we don’t know. Yes, they have a right to be in business as long as that business does not cost individual lives; families medical hardships; States health care systems’ extra expenditures, and the government’s shield to a pending health care crisis because everyone refuses to really look at the cost factors of this industry upon this health are reform initiative.
As quiet as it is being kept the tobacco industry is the one industry that is going to affect any health care reform initiative. All the elected representatives will refuse to address this issue and in a “rush to judgment” push to pass a health care reform bill this year, without logically answering, “How do we intend to pay for it?”
Two States, North Carolina and South Carolina have already proposed to pass on higher premium coverage to their State employees who are “obese” and “smokers.” The insurance industry already has a premium differential for “smokers.”
Will they ask the tobacco industry to supplement these smokers health care benefit premiums? I doubt it. Everyone is targeting the people to fund this health care reform initiative without looking at the industries that affect the health care of certain Americans.
We all know the story about the tobacco industry and how they did not inform people about the addictive ingredient of nicotine. So what happened? People became addicted and unable to stop smoking. Some died while other Americans have been able to overcome this addiction. There are 43.3 million smokers, God forbid if even half of them are affected with a tobacco related disease, how will they be able to take care of themselves medically? If they lose their jobs and do not have health care coverage, who will be responsible for paying this health care bill? The very States and elected representatives who are refusing to address this issue now. This is more serious than any foreign attack on this country. If Americans are not healthy, America will not be able to compete in this world.
Regardless of how each elected representative tries not to address the tobacco issue, this is an albatross around any health care reform in America.
As Americans we can ask our elected representatives to pass The Tobacco Accountability Act with a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases and will provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”
Otherwise, they can all go into their committees and work on this health care reform initiative for the next four years. If they do not call all the industries that will affect this health care reform; it is a waste of taxpayers’ time, money and energy.
Everyone should ask this question, how can we have drug stores prescribing medicines in the back of their stores everyday and in the front of their stores selling the most deadly product on the market? How can we have all the major retail stores selling $4.00 prescriptions to save Americans money on their prescriptions, when in the front of their stores at the check out registers they can buy a pack or carton of cigarettes that causes more health problems then that $4.00 savings can ever cover?
Something is seriously wrong with this health care reform initiative, when everyone wants to pretend that this pending health care crisis is not going to happen. It is. America must be prepared especially when we have lost our compassion and love of this country because of the greed, lack of respect for our laws, businesses hiring illegal immigrants with no thought of what this is costing America because they want to save a dollar on their taxes and health care coverage. Our elected representatives knows but refuses to stand for our laws and even do with all due respect a “Joe Wilson” stand to set the records straight.
This health care reform initiative goes far deeper than giving Americans health care benefits. It’s time for America to look at its’ soul and not cover up anything that will put us in a position of compromise and ultimately in bondage to the lobbyists, money brokers, power elite and foreign nations because we have lost our compassion and the courage of David to stand for our country.
All I can say is, “God have mercy. Help us to turn back to You for wisdom and guidance for such a time as this; for the soul of America.
For His Glory,
Valerie Foy
A seed for America.
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Beauty Of Doing The Right Thing
U.S. Representative Joe Wilson stated, "Truth is a powerful thing."
Truth is a powerful thing. But will our elected representatives look at the truth and make a comprehensive health care plan for all Americans, first?
Many have forgiven and forgotten the outburst during a speech last month to Congress. We all wanted to know what this was really all about. How could this word "lie" come forth at such a time as that and why?
We usually can remain silent until we know deep down within our spirit, that we cannot agree with what is being proposed. You lay everything on the line because of who you are; knowing you will not have any peace. In this particular incident, knowing how can I face my family and constituents of this country, if I do not speak out?
On one hand I understood why this outburst took place and on another hand, I could not understand why others did not feel this outrage about something so vitally important to this health care initiative for Americans, that we were willing to sweep it under the “if they don’t ask, we won’t tell” mindset.
So, I went like others to the Center for Immigration Studies and read their Memorandum dated September 2009 and read what was written "Illegal Immigrants and HR 3200 Estimate of Potential Costs to Taxpayers."
It stated: "based on the analysis of Census data, they estimate that there are 6.6 million uninsured illegal immigrants in the United States who could be covered by the new health care reform bill (H.R. 3200). Even though H.R. 3200 states that illegal immigrants are not eligible for the proposed taxpayer-funded affordable premium credits, there is nothing in the bill to enforce this. An amendment was defeated in committee that would have required the use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) program, used by almost all other means-tested programs of this kind."
It further stated:
* "We estimate the current cost of treating uninsured illegal immigrants at all levels of government to be $4.3 billion a year, primarily at emergency rooms and free clinics."
* Illegal immigrants will be required to have health insurance, as would citizen and legal immigrants (green card holders). They would have to meet the substantial presence test... would be required to obtain health insurance.
* Substantial presence is defined as having been in the United States for at least 31 days during the current year and previous two years. No mention is made of legal status in the legislation for determining substantial presence."
* HR 3200 does not contain any restrictions on non-citizens - whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently - participating in the Exchange.
Every State knows the companies which hires illegal immigrants. As the government wants to propose a penalty on Americans who refuse to buy coverage under H.R. 3200, these States must propose a penalty to companies who do not provide health care coverage to their undocumented workers.
Inquiring minds would like to know: Why should there be surtax on high-income Americans to pay for this health care bill? Why should States raise revenue on the people who are “obese” and now “smokers’ and not on the companies?
And furthermore, we all know there is a pending health care crisis in America medically and financially. If we do not target the tobacco industry which causes 6 out of 8 chronic diseases to provide a benefits assistance program for their customers (43.3 million smokers); there is going to be a shortfall to meeting the $900 billion budget over 10 years to cover H.R. 3200. This is what our lawmakers are projecting for this health care reform initiative and still have not decided on how to pay for this legislation.
The tobacco industry spends billions of dollars lobbying, targeting and marketing their products to certain demographics; with no thought of the harmful effects of their products and the costs to families and States to keep their customers healthy and alive. The sad thing about all of this, everyone knows it but refuses to address it.
As Americans we can ask our elected representatives to pass The Tobacco Accountability Act with a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases, provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”
We cannot compromise in any area of this health care reform initiative and load this bill with amendments upon amendments and at the end; Americans are sold a heavy laden bill of unmet promises to everyone except the American people. Every amendment should be spelled out to how it is going to benefit Americans.
Once again, the lobbyists, power elite and money brokers are willing to "hoodwink" the American people and it is wrong. Yes, they have positioned the drugmakers, laboratories and hospitals to reap the financial benefits of this health care reform initiative.
Time is running out. We must hold every industry accountable that is responsible for our pending health care crisis; no matter how this health care reform initiative is underwritten. Otherwise, we’re kidding ourselves.
The beauty of doing the right thing is that we have to put God first, and then America and every American, regardless of what others may say. If we do not take care of America; who will eventually own America; especially if we have to go to foreign nations once again to underwrite this health care reform initiative with a ROI.
At the end of the day, the same people who orchestrated the economic debacle are going to make a guaranteed fortune. Why? Greed. We have forgotten Whose bodies they are. We must put a stop to every lie that makes us compromise our laws, rights and our soul of being an American.
Dr. Mike Murdock wrote about truth, "Truth is the most powerful thing on earth because it is the only thing that cannot be changed."
I am only a voice in the wilderness for such a time as this for The Tobacco Accountability Act.
For His Glory,
Valerie Foy
A seed for America.
Truth is a powerful thing. But will our elected representatives look at the truth and make a comprehensive health care plan for all Americans, first?
Many have forgiven and forgotten the outburst during a speech last month to Congress. We all wanted to know what this was really all about. How could this word "lie" come forth at such a time as that and why?
We usually can remain silent until we know deep down within our spirit, that we cannot agree with what is being proposed. You lay everything on the line because of who you are; knowing you will not have any peace. In this particular incident, knowing how can I face my family and constituents of this country, if I do not speak out?
On one hand I understood why this outburst took place and on another hand, I could not understand why others did not feel this outrage about something so vitally important to this health care initiative for Americans, that we were willing to sweep it under the “if they don’t ask, we won’t tell” mindset.
So, I went like others to the Center for Immigration Studies and read their Memorandum dated September 2009 and read what was written "Illegal Immigrants and HR 3200 Estimate of Potential Costs to Taxpayers."
It stated: "based on the analysis of Census data, they estimate that there are 6.6 million uninsured illegal immigrants in the United States who could be covered by the new health care reform bill (H.R. 3200). Even though H.R. 3200 states that illegal immigrants are not eligible for the proposed taxpayer-funded affordable premium credits, there is nothing in the bill to enforce this. An amendment was defeated in committee that would have required the use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) program, used by almost all other means-tested programs of this kind."
It further stated:
* "We estimate the current cost of treating uninsured illegal immigrants at all levels of government to be $4.3 billion a year, primarily at emergency rooms and free clinics."
* Illegal immigrants will be required to have health insurance, as would citizen and legal immigrants (green card holders). They would have to meet the substantial presence test... would be required to obtain health insurance.
* Substantial presence is defined as having been in the United States for at least 31 days during the current year and previous two years. No mention is made of legal status in the legislation for determining substantial presence."
* HR 3200 does not contain any restrictions on non-citizens - whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently - participating in the Exchange.
Every State knows the companies which hires illegal immigrants. As the government wants to propose a penalty on Americans who refuse to buy coverage under H.R. 3200, these States must propose a penalty to companies who do not provide health care coverage to their undocumented workers.
Inquiring minds would like to know: Why should there be surtax on high-income Americans to pay for this health care bill? Why should States raise revenue on the people who are “obese” and now “smokers’ and not on the companies?
And furthermore, we all know there is a pending health care crisis in America medically and financially. If we do not target the tobacco industry which causes 6 out of 8 chronic diseases to provide a benefits assistance program for their customers (43.3 million smokers); there is going to be a shortfall to meeting the $900 billion budget over 10 years to cover H.R. 3200. This is what our lawmakers are projecting for this health care reform initiative and still have not decided on how to pay for this legislation.
The tobacco industry spends billions of dollars lobbying, targeting and marketing their products to certain demographics; with no thought of the harmful effects of their products and the costs to families and States to keep their customers healthy and alive. The sad thing about all of this, everyone knows it but refuses to address it.
As Americans we can ask our elected representatives to pass The Tobacco Accountability Act with a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases, provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”
We cannot compromise in any area of this health care reform initiative and load this bill with amendments upon amendments and at the end; Americans are sold a heavy laden bill of unmet promises to everyone except the American people. Every amendment should be spelled out to how it is going to benefit Americans.
Once again, the lobbyists, power elite and money brokers are willing to "hoodwink" the American people and it is wrong. Yes, they have positioned the drugmakers, laboratories and hospitals to reap the financial benefits of this health care reform initiative.
Time is running out. We must hold every industry accountable that is responsible for our pending health care crisis; no matter how this health care reform initiative is underwritten. Otherwise, we’re kidding ourselves.
The beauty of doing the right thing is that we have to put God first, and then America and every American, regardless of what others may say. If we do not take care of America; who will eventually own America; especially if we have to go to foreign nations once again to underwrite this health care reform initiative with a ROI.
At the end of the day, the same people who orchestrated the economic debacle are going to make a guaranteed fortune. Why? Greed. We have forgotten Whose bodies they are. We must put a stop to every lie that makes us compromise our laws, rights and our soul of being an American.
Dr. Mike Murdock wrote about truth, "Truth is the most powerful thing on earth because it is the only thing that cannot be changed."
I am only a voice in the wilderness for such a time as this for The Tobacco Accountability Act.
For His Glory,
Valerie Foy
A seed for America.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
If Not Now . . . When?
Everyone is concerned about health care in America. It is not about the President of the United States, it is not about being a Democrat. It is not about being a Republican. It is about being an American and doing the right thing for all Americans (i.e., rich or poor, young or old, black or white).
During any campaign there are words we hear repeatedly. The new code words this time are “common sense.”
With all due respect, common sense will tell every elected representative that America will not survive if we allow the tobacco and alcohol industries to bankrupt this health care reform initiative, by simply ignoring the tobacco and alcohol- related diseases which affects this society in more ways then one (i.e. our children, domestic violence, health care coverage, insurance premiums, productivity, life expectancy, etc.).
Common sense will tell every elected representative if you are trying to keep the insurance companies from raising their premiums with people who have pre-existing conditions or canceling their coverage because of the expense, if it is tobacco or alcohol related; you must include the tobacco and alcohol industries.
Common sense will tell every elected representative for companies who still have illegal immigrants working for them; they must provide health care benefits to their undocumented employees.
Otherwise, the common sense that some like to speak about is irrelevant. With all due respect, we have 43.3 million smokers and 10.9 million illegal aliens. How many have tobacco-related diseases? How much will this cost their families, their employers, their insurance companies and the States who are trying to balance their budgets annually? How is this calculated in this bill? Or will this be something the American public will have to take care of down the road?
At the end of the day, somebody is going to have to pay for this health care reform initiative, if we do not take everything into consideration now.
That being said, we can make a difference in this health care reform initiative by helping anyone who has tobacco-related diseases this year.
How?
By asking our elected representatives to support and pass . . .
The Tobacco Accountability Act stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases, provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”
Why?
This is the only known legal product on the market that causes medical problems for Americans, which ultimately kills. Do you know any other product that does this?
Health care is not a privilege but a right for every American.
Lest we forget; each and every one will have to answer this one question for such a time as this – why not?
I am only a voice in the wilderness for The Tobacco Accountability Act.
For His Glory,
Valerie Foy
Email: speakingthetruth@yahoo.com
A seed for America.
During any campaign there are words we hear repeatedly. The new code words this time are “common sense.”
With all due respect, common sense will tell every elected representative that America will not survive if we allow the tobacco and alcohol industries to bankrupt this health care reform initiative, by simply ignoring the tobacco and alcohol- related diseases which affects this society in more ways then one (i.e. our children, domestic violence, health care coverage, insurance premiums, productivity, life expectancy, etc.).
Common sense will tell every elected representative if you are trying to keep the insurance companies from raising their premiums with people who have pre-existing conditions or canceling their coverage because of the expense, if it is tobacco or alcohol related; you must include the tobacco and alcohol industries.
Common sense will tell every elected representative for companies who still have illegal immigrants working for them; they must provide health care benefits to their undocumented employees.
Otherwise, the common sense that some like to speak about is irrelevant. With all due respect, we have 43.3 million smokers and 10.9 million illegal aliens. How many have tobacco-related diseases? How much will this cost their families, their employers, their insurance companies and the States who are trying to balance their budgets annually? How is this calculated in this bill? Or will this be something the American public will have to take care of down the road?
At the end of the day, somebody is going to have to pay for this health care reform initiative, if we do not take everything into consideration now.
That being said, we can make a difference in this health care reform initiative by helping anyone who has tobacco-related diseases this year.
How?
By asking our elected representatives to support and pass . . .
The Tobacco Accountability Act stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases, provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”
Why?
This is the only known legal product on the market that causes medical problems for Americans, which ultimately kills. Do you know any other product that does this?
Health care is not a privilege but a right for every American.
Lest we forget; each and every one will have to answer this one question for such a time as this – why not?
I am only a voice in the wilderness for The Tobacco Accountability Act.
For His Glory,
Valerie Foy
Email: speakingthetruth@yahoo.com
A seed for America.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Common Sense Health Care Reform For Americans First
It is good that we have an open dialogue about health care reform for all Americans in our country.
In 2005 my mother died. When I received her Death Certificate it stated: Cause of Death was "tobacco." For 55 years this addictive drug was a part of her life, until her death. She tried to stop on several occasions. She smoked Winston cigarettes. Thus began our crusade.
From 2005, until current we have contacted several elected officials (*) to share our concerns about this very important issue and the Tobacco Accountability Act.
If we are going to talk about health care reform and not talk about the industry that cause many of the chronic diseases that affect millions of Americans and their families, we are only kidding ourselves about true health care reform.
The tobacco industry affects every aspect of our economy and well-being. They spend billions of dollars a year lobbying and marketing to the least amongst us in this country and abroad. These Americans become addicted (worse than using cocaine, crack or marijuana, etc.). We have given these industries a license to kill and destroy lives all for the sake of their bottom line and shareholders, with no concerns about the affects their products have on a person's life; their health and family especially when that person was not aware of the addictive ingredient of nicotine when they first began to smoke.
Yes, President Obama passed the Family Smoking Prevention Tobacco Act which gives the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products and prohibit misleading advertisements to our children this past June. This was another legislative act to help take the sting out of what they are allowed to do.
The question each of us should ask ourselves is, “if not now, when?” This is the one time in our history, if we are going to continue to talk about change and what is good for all Americans; we must include every industry that is affecting the health of every American.
We cannot sit around talking about this in our living rooms, at town hall meetings, in the halls of Congress or even on the Internet and have the audacity to get angry while pretending that we don't know why some Americans are afflicted with chronic diseases and the skyrocketing costs to keep Americans alive and healthy.
If each and every elected representative do not take this aspect seriously about real health care reform and pass The Tobacco Accountability Act with a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases and will provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”
We are going to have twice the amount of people uninsured and sick in America with pre-existing tobacco-related diseases, especially if we refuse to bring these health care costs to their attention now. Why should family members, emergency rooms, Doctors and others take care of these increased expenditures which affect their operating costs without the tobacco and alcohol industries financial support?
The Oxford Medical Companion wrote in 1994 “tobacco is the only legally available consumer product which kills people when it is used exactly as intended.”
Just imagine for one second, every American went to their Doctor at the beginning of the year. Get their annual check-up and was told when they returned for their test results. “All your tests were negative. You are in good health. We’ll see you next year Mr. or Mrs. Healthy American for your annual check-up.” Just imagine; the costs would be affordable if everything was this simple about our health care in America. It’s not. We have some serious issues, which go far beyond affordability. These two industries affect the core of health care reform for families in America.
We already know that the Hispanic market is a viable market now for every industry. This is the nation's second largest racial/ethnic group. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 2030 the number of Hispanics is projected to increase to 66 million and 97 million by 2050. Between these two industries spending billions to market to the various markets (i.e., African Americans, Native Americans, Alaska natives and now women extensively), how will this health care reform initiative cover this aspect of increase going forward?
These are additional facts according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
* Worldwide, tobacco use causes more than 5 million deaths per year.
* Current trends show that tobacco use will cause more than 8 million deaths annually by 2030.
* In the United States, cigarette smoking is responsible for about one in five deaths annually, or about 443,000 deaths per year.
* Annually, cigarette smoking costs more than $193 billion ($97 billion in loss productivity and $96 billion in health care expenditures).
* Health care costs associated with exposure to secondhand smoke average $10 billion annually.
* In 2005, the latest year with available data, the cigarette industry spent almost $13.4 billion, or more than $36 million per day, on advertising and promotional expenses.
* In the United States, 20% of high school students are current cigarette smokers.
* Each day, about 1,100 persons younger than 18 years of age become regular smokers; that is, they begin smoking on a daily basis.
* Among adult smokers, 70% report that they want to quit completely, and more than 40% try to quit each year.
* Tobacco is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death in the world.
* As reported in the Charlotte Observer, “we have 43.3 million smokers in America.”
* As well as, “it costs the Defense Department more than $1.6 billion a year in medical care and lost work days, while the Veterans Administration spends more than $5 billion to treat veterans for tobacco-related illnesses.”
* The Center for Immigration Studies estimated costs to cover all uninsured illegal immigrants would be $30.5 billion annually and at emergency rooms/free clinics $4.3 billion.
We have heard and seen from President Obama, Vice President Biden, Pharmaceuticals, Doctors, Medicare and all the other entities who are trying to overhaul and make a difference in this health care reform initiative, by making health care accessible and keeping the costs down for all Americans.
Yes, as one writer wrote, "health care reform is more than a social imperative - it is an economic necessity."
With all due respect, common sense will tell every elected representative, America will not survive if we allow the tobacco industry to bankrupt this health care reform initiative, by simply ignoring the tobacco-related diseases which affects this society in more ways then one.
Dr. Gro Harlem Brunddand, former Director General of World Health Organization in 1990 stated: “tobacco is one of the greatest energizing health disasters in human history.”
Common sense will tell every elected representative, if the tobacco industry can spend billions of dollars worldwide each year, with marketing, promotion and sponsorships to individuals (i.e., Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, Alaska Natives and now women extensively) in this country and cause the following: chronic diseases, drug addictions, medical bankruptcies, divorces, domestic violence (our children being abused mentally and/or physically), our youth smoking and drinking (they become life smokers); we must pass The Tobacco Accountability Act once and for all.
Each of us knows someone in our family or a friend who has suffered because of tobacco-related diseases or hooked on theses products being robbed of a healthy lifestyle. We have opened Pandora's Box to health care reform once again. We cannot afford to close this box now.
If we do; the lobbyists, power brokers and money elite will continue to have America in a stronghold and at a disadvantage when we compete with other countries because we refuse to address this issue once and for all. America must take the lead.
We believe that one day someone will say "enough is enough" and have the courage to stand as David did with the power of God, against Goliath and pass The Tobacco Accountability Act on behalf of my mother and so many Americans who do not have insurance, are targeted, addicted, have tobacco-related diseases, do not have the strength or the money to pay for all the prescriptions, operations or rehabilitation programs they need, in order to survive and stay alive another day, because of their tobacco/alcohol related-diseases. It’s time.
According to World Health Organization, “unless urgent action is taken by 2030 there will be more than 8 million deaths every year and more than 80% of tobacco deaths will be in developing countries. This must be a top priority for public and for political leaders in every country of the world. Tobacco could kill one billion people during this century” if we refuse to address this national and international issue in our health care reform initiative.
They further stated, "In some countries children from poor households are frequently employed in tobacco farming to provide family income. These children are especially vulnerable to "green tobacco illness" which is caused by the nicotine that is absorbed through the skin from the handling of wet tobacco leaves."
I don't know about you, but I am sick of people taking advantage of our country (i.e., the people) and jeopardizing our position in the world, because we have forgotten Whose body it really is.
Most tobacco users want to quit but will be unable to because of their dependence on a highly addictive substance.
I read recently in Faith Magazine a person’s prayer for everyday situations:
“Quit Smoking
I’ve been a smoker since my teenage years, Lord. This bad habit is affecting my health now and I’m praying for Your help to kick it. I’ve been trying on my own but it seems like everything I do reminds me that I want a cigarette. Now, I’m calling upon You to bless me with the will-power to take my life back! - Amen”
Former CEO Mr. Bowman of R.J. Reynolds testified in June 1964 before Congress and stated:-
“If it is proven that cigarettes are harmful, we want to do something about it regardless of what somebody else tells us to do. And we would do our level best. This is just being human.”
Here we are 45 years later addressing the most important issue of our lifetime. This issue is far more detrimental to the State of America than any outside force. If America is not healthy from our youth to our adults, we cannot compete or sustain a quality of life that we are accustomed to.
With all due respect, common sense will tell every elected representative Americans without health care benefits will exhaust the health care system far greater than what it has ever experienced, because we refuse to do the right thing with all the industries that affect our health.
As we wrestle with every aspect of this health care reform initiative in America some will ask, what does this have to do with this? Everything! The cost factors to keep Americans with pre-existing tobacco-related diseases will bankrupt any health care reform initiative plan without these two industries subsidies.
Lest we forget; each and every one will have to answer this one question for such a time as this – why not?
I am only a voice in the wilderness for The Tobacco Accountability Act.
For the Glory of God,
Valerie Foy
Email: speakingthetruth@yahoo.com
In 2005 my mother died. When I received her Death Certificate it stated: Cause of Death was "tobacco." For 55 years this addictive drug was a part of her life, until her death. She tried to stop on several occasions. She smoked Winston cigarettes. Thus began our crusade.
From 2005, until current we have contacted several elected officials (*) to share our concerns about this very important issue and the Tobacco Accountability Act.
If we are going to talk about health care reform and not talk about the industry that cause many of the chronic diseases that affect millions of Americans and their families, we are only kidding ourselves about true health care reform.
The tobacco industry affects every aspect of our economy and well-being. They spend billions of dollars a year lobbying and marketing to the least amongst us in this country and abroad. These Americans become addicted (worse than using cocaine, crack or marijuana, etc.). We have given these industries a license to kill and destroy lives all for the sake of their bottom line and shareholders, with no concerns about the affects their products have on a person's life; their health and family especially when that person was not aware of the addictive ingredient of nicotine when they first began to smoke.
Yes, President Obama passed the Family Smoking Prevention Tobacco Act which gives the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products and prohibit misleading advertisements to our children this past June. This was another legislative act to help take the sting out of what they are allowed to do.
The question each of us should ask ourselves is, “if not now, when?” This is the one time in our history, if we are going to continue to talk about change and what is good for all Americans; we must include every industry that is affecting the health of every American.
We cannot sit around talking about this in our living rooms, at town hall meetings, in the halls of Congress or even on the Internet and have the audacity to get angry while pretending that we don't know why some Americans are afflicted with chronic diseases and the skyrocketing costs to keep Americans alive and healthy.
If each and every elected representative do not take this aspect seriously about real health care reform and pass The Tobacco Accountability Act with a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases and will provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”
We are going to have twice the amount of people uninsured and sick in America with pre-existing tobacco-related diseases, especially if we refuse to bring these health care costs to their attention now. Why should family members, emergency rooms, Doctors and others take care of these increased expenditures which affect their operating costs without the tobacco and alcohol industries financial support?
The Oxford Medical Companion wrote in 1994 “tobacco is the only legally available consumer product which kills people when it is used exactly as intended.”
Just imagine for one second, every American went to their Doctor at the beginning of the year. Get their annual check-up and was told when they returned for their test results. “All your tests were negative. You are in good health. We’ll see you next year Mr. or Mrs. Healthy American for your annual check-up.” Just imagine; the costs would be affordable if everything was this simple about our health care in America. It’s not. We have some serious issues, which go far beyond affordability. These two industries affect the core of health care reform for families in America.
We already know that the Hispanic market is a viable market now for every industry. This is the nation's second largest racial/ethnic group. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 2030 the number of Hispanics is projected to increase to 66 million and 97 million by 2050. Between these two industries spending billions to market to the various markets (i.e., African Americans, Native Americans, Alaska natives and now women extensively), how will this health care reform initiative cover this aspect of increase going forward?
These are additional facts according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
* Worldwide, tobacco use causes more than 5 million deaths per year.
* Current trends show that tobacco use will cause more than 8 million deaths annually by 2030.
* In the United States, cigarette smoking is responsible for about one in five deaths annually, or about 443,000 deaths per year.
* Annually, cigarette smoking costs more than $193 billion ($97 billion in loss productivity and $96 billion in health care expenditures).
* Health care costs associated with exposure to secondhand smoke average $10 billion annually.
* In 2005, the latest year with available data, the cigarette industry spent almost $13.4 billion, or more than $36 million per day, on advertising and promotional expenses.
* In the United States, 20% of high school students are current cigarette smokers.
* Each day, about 1,100 persons younger than 18 years of age become regular smokers; that is, they begin smoking on a daily basis.
* Among adult smokers, 70% report that they want to quit completely, and more than 40% try to quit each year.
* Tobacco is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death in the world.
* As reported in the Charlotte Observer, “we have 43.3 million smokers in America.”
* As well as, “it costs the Defense Department more than $1.6 billion a year in medical care and lost work days, while the Veterans Administration spends more than $5 billion to treat veterans for tobacco-related illnesses.”
* The Center for Immigration Studies estimated costs to cover all uninsured illegal immigrants would be $30.5 billion annually and at emergency rooms/free clinics $4.3 billion.
We have heard and seen from President Obama, Vice President Biden, Pharmaceuticals, Doctors, Medicare and all the other entities who are trying to overhaul and make a difference in this health care reform initiative, by making health care accessible and keeping the costs down for all Americans.
Yes, as one writer wrote, "health care reform is more than a social imperative - it is an economic necessity."
With all due respect, common sense will tell every elected representative, America will not survive if we allow the tobacco industry to bankrupt this health care reform initiative, by simply ignoring the tobacco-related diseases which affects this society in more ways then one.
Dr. Gro Harlem Brunddand, former Director General of World Health Organization in 1990 stated: “tobacco is one of the greatest energizing health disasters in human history.”
Common sense will tell every elected representative, if the tobacco industry can spend billions of dollars worldwide each year, with marketing, promotion and sponsorships to individuals (i.e., Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, Alaska Natives and now women extensively) in this country and cause the following: chronic diseases, drug addictions, medical bankruptcies, divorces, domestic violence (our children being abused mentally and/or physically), our youth smoking and drinking (they become life smokers); we must pass The Tobacco Accountability Act once and for all.
Each of us knows someone in our family or a friend who has suffered because of tobacco-related diseases or hooked on theses products being robbed of a healthy lifestyle. We have opened Pandora's Box to health care reform once again. We cannot afford to close this box now.
If we do; the lobbyists, power brokers and money elite will continue to have America in a stronghold and at a disadvantage when we compete with other countries because we refuse to address this issue once and for all. America must take the lead.
We believe that one day someone will say "enough is enough" and have the courage to stand as David did with the power of God, against Goliath and pass The Tobacco Accountability Act on behalf of my mother and so many Americans who do not have insurance, are targeted, addicted, have tobacco-related diseases, do not have the strength or the money to pay for all the prescriptions, operations or rehabilitation programs they need, in order to survive and stay alive another day, because of their tobacco/alcohol related-diseases. It’s time.
According to World Health Organization, “unless urgent action is taken by 2030 there will be more than 8 million deaths every year and more than 80% of tobacco deaths will be in developing countries. This must be a top priority for public and for political leaders in every country of the world. Tobacco could kill one billion people during this century” if we refuse to address this national and international issue in our health care reform initiative.
They further stated, "In some countries children from poor households are frequently employed in tobacco farming to provide family income. These children are especially vulnerable to "green tobacco illness" which is caused by the nicotine that is absorbed through the skin from the handling of wet tobacco leaves."
I don't know about you, but I am sick of people taking advantage of our country (i.e., the people) and jeopardizing our position in the world, because we have forgotten Whose body it really is.
Most tobacco users want to quit but will be unable to because of their dependence on a highly addictive substance.
I read recently in Faith Magazine a person’s prayer for everyday situations:
“Quit Smoking
I’ve been a smoker since my teenage years, Lord. This bad habit is affecting my health now and I’m praying for Your help to kick it. I’ve been trying on my own but it seems like everything I do reminds me that I want a cigarette. Now, I’m calling upon You to bless me with the will-power to take my life back! - Amen”
Former CEO Mr. Bowman of R.J. Reynolds testified in June 1964 before Congress and stated:-
“If it is proven that cigarettes are harmful, we want to do something about it regardless of what somebody else tells us to do. And we would do our level best. This is just being human.”
Here we are 45 years later addressing the most important issue of our lifetime. This issue is far more detrimental to the State of America than any outside force. If America is not healthy from our youth to our adults, we cannot compete or sustain a quality of life that we are accustomed to.
With all due respect, common sense will tell every elected representative Americans without health care benefits will exhaust the health care system far greater than what it has ever experienced, because we refuse to do the right thing with all the industries that affect our health.
As we wrestle with every aspect of this health care reform initiative in America some will ask, what does this have to do with this? Everything! The cost factors to keep Americans with pre-existing tobacco-related diseases will bankrupt any health care reform initiative plan without these two industries subsidies.
Lest we forget; each and every one will have to answer this one question for such a time as this – why not?
I am only a voice in the wilderness for The Tobacco Accountability Act.
For the Glory of God,
Valerie Foy
Email: speakingthetruth@yahoo.com
A seed for America.
(*) The late Honorable Edward M. Kennedy, Honorable Michael B. Enzi, Honorable Elijah Cummings, Former Surgeon General David Satcher, Former President George W. Bush, Jr., Former First Lady Laura Bush (a former smoker), Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg (who has The Bloomberg Initiative -a tobacco initiative), Mr. Lee Scott of WalMart Stores, Inc. (the largest outlet for cigarettes), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a host of others including most recently Honorable Max Baucus and Honorable Barack Obama.
Updated: Monday, November 29, 2010
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