Lifestyle Choices and Other Sins

So no one's perfect. We know that. Most people would hardly hazard to encourage the perception in others that they personally represent perfection. We all have our failings. Our little peccadilloes, our idiosyncrasies, our demented little pleasures which, guilt-ridden, we practise in stealth, far from prying eyes. Thing is, if you're a public figure there is no way on this Earth that untidy little secrets can be kept from the public eye.

Take, for example, the image in today's society, of a cigarette-smoking public figure. It just isn't on. Where once it was considered to be the sign of sophistication, worldliness, to see a character actor smoking in a film, is now considered extremely bad taste. Knowing now what we do about the nasty health effects of tobacco, how life-shortening it is in its cancer-inducing propensities, most advanced societies eschew its practise, campaign against public smoking.

It's become semi-illicit, as a questionable habit, considered self-destructive, a blight, a burden for a public health system. Odd, that. In that at one time gambling was strictly forbidden in most societies, seen as an evil. It, like tobacco, happens to be severely addictive; less so to some, all-consuming in its addictive qualities to others. Responsible for social disorder, bankruptcies, suicides.

Yet in many societies now, including those of North America, there is now state-sanctioned gambling, a means by which governments raise money, other than through taxation. Excise tax on cigarettes are a punishment, a means by which smokers, addicted to their daily weed, enrich government coffers. Gambling now, in state lotteries, in the establishment of government-approved casinos and other venues, has been legalized and has become a real cash cow for governments at all levels.

And for charities, as well. Ironic, isn't it, that health-related charities, like hospitals, or charitable enterprises that raise funds through charitable giving, enabling them to fund disease and health-related research, have now also taken to running lotteries to enrich their take, as well. Gambling, like smoking, is an unfortunate social disease. Entrapping people with a predisposition to either of those vices. It's difficult to stop, once started.

Somewhat like those who abuse 'recreational' drugs, or alcohol. Yet society and the laws that governments impose upon their societies come down hard on addicts of drugs and of alcohol. Both represent a real danger to society at large in the pursuit of their addictions' satisfaction. By comparison, smoking and gambling appear as junior offenders, acceptable in polite company, to a degree.

Holy mackerel! As though Senator John McCain hasn't enough problems in the weeks left before the U.S. presidential election, what with the Republican administration- inspired financial meltdown, his unfortunate choice of an untried and inappropriate vice-president, now it's been revealed that he long ago succumbed to gambling. Taking his pleasure at craps, and going on regular binges.

Well, it's his life, and it's to be lived as he wishes. Who would deny anyone their pleasures in life? Um, a picky electorate, already insecure in the promise of a 72-year-old aspiring to lead that great country for a four-year term, in very troubled times? And, needless to say, should something unfortunately untoward shorten the man's life-span, who steps in? Not a very inspiring picture.

Senator Barak Obama, step right up there. You're leading in the public opinion polls, not tainted with the administrative rubbish attributed to the Republican party, and your investiture as the Most Powerful Man On Earth, would please many. At least initially. Until the burden of the position wore you down - say about February of 2009? Guess you'd need to relieve some of that tension.

Go from a three-cig-a-day habit say, to a pack-a-day? Your choice, Marlboro Man.