Have you joined CRA?
JDH
Posts: 2,107 ✭
I'm just askin...
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I wonder, am I the only leftie fighting for smoker's rights now? LOL
Ill do the year until they win this round for us at which point ill go lifetime! For me personally, I can't see being a lifetime member if cigars will be neutered to a point that I might not enjoy them any more.
Once you give up that Right and allow others to decide how you should persue happiness, as long as you are "safe", pretty soon only a handfull of people will be allowed to decide how everybody will persue happiness, and then nobody will be safe.
Gotta agree...the pursuit of happiness crosses all political beliefs, religions, etc. and we all need to protect that little gem in this country. Isn't personal freedom (outside of stepping on other's rights, of course) what living here is supposed to be all about? The right to express your opinions, the right to enjoy life as you see fit, and the right to enjoy a good cigar? Some things are beyond political ideals...
Face it. Cigar smokers are a distinct minority within a minority. That makes us incredibly weak. America has a very long and well documented history of not respecting the rights of its minority populations. The only way to prevent OUR ox from being gored is to unite in order to have as loud a voice as possible.
I just got this e-mail from my US Congressman regarding HR 1639. He is in support, but Mitch Mconnel is not.
December 12, 2011 Dear Mr. Hollingsworth: Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 1639. My job is to serve the people of Central Kentucky, so hearing your thoughts and concerns is extremely important to me. I appreciate that you took the time to share them. As you may know, H.R. 1639 would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt traditional large and premium cigars from regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and from fees assessed on tobacco products by the FDA. You will be pleased to know that I became a cosponsor of this legislation on October 13, 2011. Like you, I believe H.R. 1639 would protect cigar store owners from burdensome regulations while also allowing for rules that keep minors from purchasing cigarettes. Please rest assured I will closely monitor this issue and keep your thoughts in mind. Again, I value your input on H.R. 1639. Please continue to keep in contact with me, and feel free to use my online office at http://chandler.house.gov and to sign up for my e-newsletter at http://chandler.house.gov/enews.html to stay up-to-date on issues affecting Central Kentucky in the 112th Congress. Sincerely, Ben Chandler Member of Congress
Dear Mr. Floyd, Thank you for contacting me to express your support for S. 1461, the "Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011." It is good to hear from you. As you may know, President Obama signed the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act" into law on June 22, 2009. This legislation empowered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with broad regulatory and tax authority over the tobacco industry, including cigar producers and tobacco shops. I opposed this legislation when it came before me in the U.S. House of Representatives. On August 1, 2011, Senator Ben Nelson (D-FL) introduced S. 1461, which would exempt traditional and premium cigars from these new rules. This legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. As a small business for over 25 years, I understand the pressures that our small businesses face. Like you, I recognize that duplicative and unnecessary regulatory burdens negatively impact small businesses. While rules and regulations play an important role in establishing the parameters for business, they can also serve as an obstacle to business development and job creation. Please be assured that I will support S. 1461 should it come before me for a vote in the U.S. Senate. Again, thank you for contacting me on this very important issue.
And my Congressman
Dear Dane : Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 1639, the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act. I appreciate hearing from you. You will be pleased to know that I am a cosponsor of this legislation. As you know, H.R. 1639 was introduced on April 15, 2011, as legislation that would clarify the Food and Drug Administration's jurisdiction over certain tobacco products. This legislation also aims to protect jobs and small businesses involved in the sale, manufacturing and distribution of traditional and premium cigars. H.R. 1639 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. I truly appreciate you sharing your support for this legislation . Please be assured that I will continue to support H.R. 1639 and will push for its final passage in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thank you again for contacting me. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me in my Washington, D.C. or district office most convenient to you
there is basically no excuse for anyone on this forum to NOT be a member. it isnt that expensive for one year and you get good things out of it.
and of course you help make the voice of the cigar world heard.