So, California wants to be the first state to raise the smoking age to 21. At the same time, they plan on raising the cigarette tax by $2.13 to balance their budget. It seems counterproductive to me. If they are serious about balancing the budget, they'll lower the smoking age to 12. They would also let people smoke in bars, restaurants, parks, and any place else they choose to light up.

I have never understood politicians that will send a boy off to fight a war at age 18, yet take away their right to smoke, drink, and be merry. But then again, this is California we are talking about. I don't feel there is any relationship between smoking and the smoking age. I grew up in Virginia, and have always been able to buy cigarettes. Up until the Imperial Federal Government forced states to raise the smoking age to 18, there was no age limit in Virginia.

So, what kept me and most of my friends from smoking? One major factor for me was my father. Although he smoked, he'd beat my ass if he caught me doing it. Another factor was my mother. I didn't need her nagging the shit out of me to quit smoking, like she did my old man. A third factor was my desire not to smell like an ashtray. I have enough social problems without having to worry about people turning their nose up whenever I walk by.

Sure, I don't smoke, and I hate coming home from bars smelling like smoke. But, I'm not about to whine to the government to take away other people's right to puff their life away.