Dan Popkey/Idaho Statesman reports: Rep. Bob Schaefer, R-Nampa, said he meant no offense, but the American Lung Association is complaining he was impolite to proponents of a $1.25-per-pack tax increase. Schaefer responded to multiple emails Tuesday after he joined an 11-5 majority on the House Revenue & Tax Committee Monday to reject introducing a bill to raise the tax. Wrote Schaefer:

"Using the FORCE of government is anathema to the freedoms given by our Maker and spoken of in our Federal Constitution. Have you no ability to make your case to the youth themselves? Are they so ignoring of what you say in this regard? Is it so terribly difficult to show the obscenity of death by cancer thru smoking that you so readily give away our freedoms? If you are disappointed with my one vote against giving our freedom to feed more lousy government, I am more disappointed that so many are so easily enticed into casting freedom aside. Unrestrained and wayward government has, in just the past six years, cast us all into abject servitude. Thank you." More here.

Question: I'm still trying to understand why Republican Idaho lawmakers are so opposed to increasing taxes on a product that's proven to be hazardous to an individuals health -- and those around him/her?