Smokers Need not Apply

I think we'll see a lot of push back from people on this one. If nicotine were an illegal substance, I could see it. But it's not.

I agree that smoking causes all kinds of health problems, but so does alcohol, fatty foods, obesity...the list is long.

This seems like it would set a precedent to establish discriminatory hiring practices based on lifestyle choices. I can see organizations making hiring decisions based on a persons BMI next.

Anyone know if St. Lukes takes public funds? Or are they 100% privately funded?

Well you can't discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, national origin, etc. so why should you be able to discriminate based on smoking? I'm sure they will say smokers take too many breaks, take too many days off from respiratory illnesses, etc. They will come up with some stupid rationalization, and the bottom line is that it's just wrong. I really want a case to go to the SCOTUS on this one. What about MY civil rights as a smoker? This has gone way too far already!

I don't know if they are privately funded or not. Does it make a difference?

If they're privately funded, they have more leeway in their hiring practices and can probably get away with this. All they have to do is call it part of their hiring criteria. Kind of like how Hooters only hires buxom, attractive young girls to be waitresses.

As a smoker, I'm sick of being made to feel like a pariah of society. First we got kicked out of the offices. Then we got kicked out of the restaurants. Then the bars. Then the public areas like parks. Some localities are even trying to kick smokers out of their own homes to light up. Now organizations like St. Luke's is doing their part to restrict employment... It's ridiculous.

Pat N - isn't it amazing how much they love to hate smokers? How many programs would need to be cut without our cigarette taxes? In PA, the settlement from the cigarette companies is funding a lot of senior citizens health programs.

Pat N - isn't it amazing how much they love to hate smokers?

Can you just imagine the fallout if the same level of hate and discrimination were leveled against obese people? Afterall, obesity causes more health problems in this country than any other risk group.

If a person were an obese smoker..they'd really have it tough! =)

If they were an unattractive obese smoker they should automatically qualify for some governmental entitlement program!

If they were an unattractive obese smoker they should automatically qualify for some governmental entitlement program!

LOL. You owe me a new keyboard. I just spewed Pepsi all over this one after reading that.

Cleaver comment, Pat, I am sitting here laughing, because knowing Obama and the nutty people around him, an obese smoker would have a disability, and give him Social Security Disability. Hope and change LOL.

Cleaver comment, Pat, I am sitting here laughing, because knowing Obama and the nutty people around him, an obese smoker would have a disability, and give him Social Security Disability. Hope and change LOL.

But of course! He'd qualify for all kinds of disability. Mental and physical. Any one who's wheezing all the time AND can't see their own knees is a true 'victim', dontchya know. Obama would proudly be parading the poor guy around the country, putting him on display during his speeches and telling the world what a savior he was to the dude.

Sorry, gotta go now - I just realized I may be able to quit my job and get disability. Have to sign up!

Maybe I can get SS for being "bipolar"LOL.

You guys are going to freak out over this...but I swear, it's true. Did you know the SS Disablitity people actually have a marketing department? Honest.

As y'all probably know, I have a couple of disabilities. I was just toolin' along, minding my own business one day, when I got...'the call'. Completely unsolicited. I don't remember it verbatim, but it went very close to this:

SS Office: Hi! My name is Dave_____May I speak to Patricia N______?

Me: This is she. How can I help you?

SS Office: Ma'am, our records indicate that you currently battle Epilepsy and Parkison's. We were wondering if you were aware that you may qualify for Social Security benefits?

Me: Sure I'm aware. But Why would I want to?

SS Office: We'll, you may be able to leave your job and still make a viable income without having to commute every day.

Me: Dave? I work 30 feet from my living room.

SS Office: Well, you would no longer have to dedicate 8 hours a day or more to your job. You could have a better work/life balance and still have a good income.

Me: Oh really? How much could I make?

SS Office: Our records indicate you are eligible for as much as $X,XXX/month.

Me: Dave?

SS Office: Yes?

Me: I'm sure your records also indicate that I made $ XXX,XXX.00 last year, right? Roughly 10 times more than the X,XXX you think I should sign up for.

SS Office: Um...Yes.

Me: Thanks for your time, Dave. Don't call again. (click)

So there you have it. Our government...in all of it's intelligent glory...is actually trying to sell people on the idea of getting on an already bankrupt program.

Mind blowing, eh?

That is definitely amazing. I just don't understand how or why they would try to sell SS when it's broken.

I was blown away. I wonder how many people fall for the spiel?

The way it was explained to me by an attorney friend, is that they have to have a certain number of new people signing up for disability (or food stamps, or Medicaid, etc..) on a monthly basis in order to keep or increase their funding/budget for their own, internal stuff like hiring, payroll, promotions, etc. If they look like they're going to fall short of that given quota for the month, they start the marketing calls to people with known disabilities (or several kids, single parents, etc.) because they don't wat their budgets cut.