Federal Suit Against Tobacco

I find it incredible that the tobacco industry is crying hypocrisy at the federal government because of its decades of colluding with the industry (Sept. 23). As one of the most profitable industries on the planet, they spent millions for the best lobbyists to ensure their will be done. Further, they have generously supported scores of representatives and dozens of senators to assure that no legislation passed to impede the sale of tobacco to every living soul on Earth. And now that we finally have a Justice Department with leaders willing to take them on, they scream foul.

It is hard to fathom the chutzpah of these guys. Wasn’t it just a few years ago that all the heads of the largest tobacco companies stood under oath before a congressional panel and lied through their teeth about “a pattern of fraud and deceit in [their] steadfast insistence that cigarettes were not harmful”?

I hope they don’t settle out of court. I want to see them spend millions defending themselves and then lose big. Billions big.

PAUL SCOTT

Santa Monica

* Smoking cigarettes is a significant health risk that contributes to the deaths of many of our older friends and family. But we cannot allow our anger at the tobacco companies to permit the government to run amok and swindle the precious and fragile liberties of our fellow citizens.

If all it takes is for the government to devise a system of socialized medicine, then hold private industry accountable for individual behavior that leads to injury or illness, we have a recipe for democratic catastrophe. Other than tobacco, the government could then attack Big Alcohol, Big Auto or Big Junk Food. All of which may cause injury or death and all of which include medical expenses subsidized by taxpayers.

I’m sure many applaud this lawsuit against Big Tobacco. You believe it will save lives. You don’t mind when smokers are targeted for unfair taxation and coercion. But when they come after your beer or your car or your hamburgers, you will ask, “How did this happen?”

Only then will you understand: It is not Big Tobacco but Big Government you should fear. For it alone has the monopoly power of authority and force.

BURNIE THOMPSON

Fullerton