J.C. Watts: “some people say their primary reason for supporting new tobacco taxes is protecting children, but these same people have…”

“some people say their primary reason for supporting new tobacco taxes is protecting children, but these same people have constantly dropped the ball when it comes to protecting children in other areas. So I get a little suspicious when I am asked to support a cigarette tax as a way to save the children. Consider this. Many folks who say they support a cigarette tax as a way of protecting teenagers are all too happy to allow my 13-year-old daughter to go to a Title 10 clinic and be counseled on having an abortion without my or her mother's consent. So much for protecting children from dangerous influences. So much for saving children. Furthermore, many people who support a cigarette tax as a way to stop teenage smoking will not lift a finger to stop some public schools from giving my daughters free condoms without my permission. So much for protecting children from dangerous influences. Also, Mr. Speaker, some people who say they are working to prevent teenagers from smoking will not lift a finger to prevent kids from getting access to free drug needles. So much for protecting children from dangerous influences. Furthermore, some who say they are in favor of a cigarette tax as a means to protect children are not in favor of allowing kids to organize prayer in school. Thanks to these people, groups of kids cannot organize prayer and talk about protection today. Think about it, America.…”