Why in God’s name would you want to co-sponsor legislation with Teddy Kennedy that will increase the size and scope of the federal government and its regulatory powers?

John Cornyn, Olympia Snowe, and Susan Collins have done so. They have lent their names to legislation sponsored by Teddy Kennedy to give the FDA regulatory oversight of tobacco.

I have no problem with taxing tobacco out of existence — as long as that’s what is being done and not just using that excuse like Charlie Crist recently did when it was clear the taxes were actually to balance a budget.

I do have a problem with expanding the FDA’s jurisdiction into agriculture more than it is. I do have a problem expanding their regulatory powers into areas that have never been within their scope. We have, after all, as a nation, done pretty damn well without the FDA being involved in every aspect of our lives.

Just this morning, I was on the radio saying I favored increasing insurance premiums for city employees here in Macon, GA who smoke after giving them 6 months to stop.

But why do you want, as a Republican, to sponsor this legislation with Ted Kennedy, the chief sponsor. Why do you want to lend your support, as a Republican, to expanding the federal regulatory regime?

Even more troubling, Thad Cochran, Bob Corker, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Mel Martinez are rumors to be on the fence about this and wavering. They should not. They should vote no.

The matter will get a vote in the Senate today on whether or not to proceed with it. Republicans should vote no. It’s just that simple.