Kathy Castor v. Cigar Lobby

Kathy Castor showed real leadership by going against the powerful cigar lobby in her district and supported a cigar tax increase to fund the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The program provides healthcare for poor children. Unsurprisingly, President Bush did the indefensible by threatening to veto the bill. Bush's hysterical complaint is that the $60 million bill is too expensive. His words would carry more credibility if he didn't run up a record deficit and rubber stamp pork-ridden bills.

Castor fought against Republicans to get the bill passed

"We will stand up for our children and the hard-working families of America and fight through all of these delaying tactics," said freshman Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa, as she battled GOP efforts on the House floor to stall the measure.

Cigar manufacturers are vocal in their displeasure against Castor.

Still, Michael Cusano, president of Domrey Cigar Ltd. in Bradenton, said he couldn't believe that Castor would go so far as to help lead a floor battle on behalf of a bill that includes such a drastic tax hit on a home industry - regardless of how strongly she felt about the bill's overall purpose.

"I think it's suicide for her," he said.

Let's use an old analogy. If a building was burning would you save a box of cigars or a child? The choice is simple. Unless you are a cigarmaker. Then you run and grab your money. The needs of disadvantaged children come before a luxury item.

I don't want to hear about Tampa's great cigar heritage. If a history of working Cuban immigrants as slaves and spreading cancer is something to brag about then Tampa has serious image and self-worth problems.