[OT, but exciting] Phillip Morris told to pay $28 BILLION

[Dr. NRG]

So when do we start taking the government to court over this? The goverment made as much money if not more than the tobacco companies did with their products. Just look at how much of the cost of a pack of cigarettes is "sin" tax.

I would argue that the government does not "make money" on sin taxes on tobacco. It only covers the societal costs of people choosing a particularly drawn out and painful method of killing themselves... tobacco use.

Think extended hospital stays for emphysema (sp?) and heart disease.

NRG

 

[Zappo]

the people bringing these lawsuits need to be slapped. the lawyers that are encouraging them need far worse.

Basically, courts need to be able to order someone who initiates a stupid suit (as deemed so by the court) and loses to pay all legal expenses, both his and the other guy's, plus a premium for the wasted time that could have been used for real cases.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

That arguement might have held water 10 years ago. But it does not today.

Why?

Because the Federal Government itself sued big tobacco in the last few years saying that it was doing so to recover the money spent on healthcare for people who smoked.

So at best the government is double dipping and at worse the government is a damn hypocrite.

I would argue that the government does not "make money" on sin taxes on tobacco. It only covers the societal costs of people choosing a particularly drawn out and painful method of killing themselves... tobacco use.

Think extended hospital stays for emphysema (sp?) and heart disease.

NRG

 

[JacktheRabbit]

That is impossible. If you did this then no one could ever sue big companies because they would never be able to pay the possible cost of the companies corporate lawyers.

What might work is a third branch of the courts. You have the lawyers, the judges, and a third independent branch called the Reviewers. What the Reviewers would do is look at your lawsuit and decide whether it has enough merit to even go to court. Until a reviewer gives his or her stamp of approval someone who wants to sue cannot say a single word to his target at all.

Basically, courts need to be able to order someone who initiates a stupid suit (as deemed so by the court) and loses to pay all legal expenses, both his and the other guy's, plus a premium for the wasted time that could have been used for real cases.

 

[Dr. NRG]

So at best the government is double dipping and at worse the government is a damn hypocrite.

This depends upon facts about the budget which I do not have at my disposal. I cannot tell you whether the burden imposed on the government by tobacco-related health problems exceeds the amount of the tobacco settlement agreed to by the Justice dept. I also can't tell you whether it exceeds the amount of tobacco taxes imposed on consumers.

Considering this, I can't really argue this point. If any of you out there have factual info to contribute on this point, I'd be interested...

NRG

 

[EricNoah]

Welcome to Politicalville, population zero. Enjoy your stay!

(sorry -- I know you tried... )