Scotts made some good products, but you can find compatible products elseware

Mr. Hagedorn, 50 years old, once smoked two packs of cigarettes a day but quit 20 years ago after his mother died of lung cancer. He said he understands how difficult it is to quit smoking but also how important it is. "Are we going to stand by and watch our people get sick? The answer is no," he said. "Success here is not firing anybody."

First, Pat, I want to reiterate:

I don't think the burden of providing healthcare for American citizens should be shouldered by businesses. They have enough on their plate as it is.

You must also have to consider that not all blacks are predisposed to hypertension, and not all homosexuals have HIV. In fact, many non-blacks have hypertension, and many heterosexuals have HIV.

Now, when it comes to genetics, well, that's a different story. Smokers don't have a gene that makes them want to smoke. In the same sense, you don't choose to have hypertension. (Of course, certain actions can cause hypertension, but it's also genetic, as in my case.) There isn't a gene that makes you want to base jump off a cliff, either.

In other words, employees don't "do" hypertension. They do smoke, however.

So, what has to be examined is whether you're talking about a protected class of people (blacks) or an unprotected class of people (smokers in many states, homosexuals I believe in all states).

If the minority is protected (say, the obese), then no, employers should have no say in the behaviors of their employees. (Obesity, like hypertension, can be caused by both actions and/or genetics.)

If the minority is not protected, then yes, employers should be able to have a say in the behaviors of their employees, because said employers should be able to run their businesses any way they please.

Zippy writes:

The problem with the entire scenerio that you speak of is that you argue that employee participation in the Companies Health Care program is mandated by the company.

I never said that. Obviously employee health plans are optional.

It would seem logical for the Weyco employees who smoke to just drop their health insurance. That would have solved the problem. [/i]

Scotts made some good products, but you can find compatible products elseware. I used scotts grubbex, their steps 1-4 lawn care ROUND-UP, and their miracle grow last year. Their stuff works well. I've been using them 10 years at my parents 2 acre property, and now I use them at my property. The garden centers recommended other stuff, but I didn't want to change. Now I will find a good alternative, a better 4 step lawn care program, and a better anti-grub solution. I was gonna research this stuff last year, becasue my friends had better results with other products, and I got jellous. Now I have a reason to search out these better products myself. I will share the results on here. I encourage anyone else to.