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The fraud charges brought by the Justice Department against Big Tobacco raises serious questions which we all need to consider:
Can we expect Tobacco to deal honestly, when billions in profits are at stake?
Can business expect government to strike a deal and then leave it alone?
Can we expect either to act in the best interests of the people?
First, it seems this new federal suit for $280 billion?charging Tobacco with conspiracy to defraud by hiding information on how seriously smoking damages health, and planning to appeal to youngsters to smoke?seems justified, but it looks like a scam.
Why this suit, when Tobacco paid $250 billion in 1998 to 46 states in a recovery settlement for the health costs of smoking?
Tobacco thought it was home free. But Government was not finished; the poorly executed settlement did not achieve its real goal?to rid the land of killer tobacco.
There are a couple of lessons here.
? Business cannot expect Big government to strike a deal or a settlement and then just “go away.” It’s not government’s nature.
? Government, in this case, is out to do more than punish Tobacco for defrauding the people: it wants a fine big enough?in this non-jury trial?to put cigarette makers out of business; and many agree with this if Tobacco is guilty as charged.
But if government is trying to help the people, why did the $250 billion go to the coffers of state governments, to be spent by politicians, while none of it went to the victims of smoking?those made ill, or the families of those who died of it? And who will get the $280 billion? Will it go into the Federal Budget?
As we watch this trial, expected to last six months, we need to ask questions about the motives and conduct of Big Tobacco, and Big government as well.
Steve Marr is the former CEO of the fourth largest import-export firm in the U.S., a company which facilitated international trade for many of the largest companies in America. Currently, Steve consults with with businesses and ministries utilizing ancient Biblical principles for success in today’s marketplace. Click here to contact Steve, or visit his website at www.businessproverbs.com.
