24% of the population voting is extremely saddening. Are people that busy that they cannot check three boxes and use a 40 cent stamp?

Me thinks it speaks to something else brewing in America. Controlling interests take over preceded by a extreme case of political apathy. Who am I kidding? It is happening today, every day, for years now!

Sad to think in a supposed political, liberal county such as ours less than half the population cares enough to vote.

In addition - The Merc encouraging more taxes via measure 50...another sad state of affairs. The tax system already burdens lower middle class - now another regressive tax? Fuck that! I'm moving to Pocatello if that shit passes.

Bye...you don't need to write

Hey AmericanDemise—none of us at the Merc are all that rich (well, except Boss Humphrey), and a lot of us smoke (except Boss Humphrey). But we still endorsed M50. Did you read the endorsement? I think it explains why quite well.

I liked your points on M50. I simply refuse to believe a tax on poor folks is a good thing. Hell, if I got all the tax money from M50, still wouldn't vote for it.

How does the state/fed currently subsidize "several dollars per pack" for smokers health care? Is this any different then you and me paying for other unhealthy modern shit? aka pizza, burger king, gasoline, alcohol?

I just cannot wrap my brain around the positives. Beyond the potential a few kiddies will get to see a Doc. That is great! However, more government cashola to be spent recklessly? Maybe Wayne Scott R-Canby will fly to Hawaii, it is getting cold!

Yeah, a few (say, tens of thousands) kiddies seeing a doc. Perhaps you're not a parent without health care for your kid?

Anyway, it's important not just to VOTE but to encourage other folks. The YES on 49 campaign has phoning all the time! Go to yeson49.com and sign up to help out. Three hours of your life for the future of the state? Sounds like a deal!

"...and a lot of us smoke"

Please, provide us loyal Mercury readers yet more incontrovertible proof that you're a bunch of fucking morons masquerading as intellectuals.

Fuck Measure 50! Who the fuck care about weak-ass children can't fucking by there own doc!

Its mezure 49 thats improt!!!!

Masqurade, bitch!!!

And, guess what, Kyle Chisek, I voted!!!!!!!!!

Is the current voting system too easy? Do elections need to play hard to get? Maybe we need to make it really complicated, that may give voting a bit more cachet.

Measure 50 is lame. Should we, as a society, want to increase and strengthen health care for children? Sure. Should we, as a society, want to decrease overall smoking? Sure. Yet they'd now be tied to one another. Decreasing smoking should be considered a good thing for the welfare of a community, not lead to decreased funding for health care. Basically, anytime the question is asked, "what can I do to help childrens health care in the state?" and the legit and correct answer is, "go buy a carton of Marlboros"... that's messed up.

Good. I like Messed up--- and anything that hurts big tobacco or those that use them. I could care less about the kids.