First thing's first; I want to make it clear that the cigarettes in the image above are mine.

I am a Photographer, and unfortunately, a smoker as well. I'm 26 years old, and I was not surprised by the number of Americans who were against the health care bill when it was passed, but what I am absolutely shocked about is the number of people that have become offended about the bill excluding smokers from being treated like everyone else who made the wise decision to not begin in the first place.

There is nothing "big brotherly" about the President allowing health insurers to charge up to 50% more for smokers than non-smokers, after all, he is, or was a smoker himself. I applaud this move, and as I said, I myself am a smoker. If I make the CHOICE not to quit while I'm young than I should be punished for my choice. I thought conservatives were all about personal-responsibility? guess not? Anyhow, I will be quiting soon, not because of the cost of health insurance, but because I DO take responsibility for my actions and I know that I made a horrible health/life decision when I started smoking as a teenager. I look up to the President, and I watched him chewing on his Nicorette gum during the inaugural parade in D.C. I feel his pain, and I'm positive he feels mine also. For a fellow smoker to make sure that insurers have the right to charge an arm and a leg more to smokers is not hypocritical to me. Instead, I look at it more like the President understands the struggles of the addiction, and knows that the only thing that might be able to save lives is expenses. Again, I applaud this exclusion, and I am so grateful to know that the President has the most stressful job in America yet he is still able to hold off on these killers. Now, I too have a sense of confidence that I can also stop and never look back. Thank you for understanding sir, and thank you for being an inspiration to young people like myself. People who have their whole lives ahead of them and can overcome their bad decisions easier by knowing that you also are still trying to overcome yours.

Politicians DO NOT have to be perfect to get votes from the Millennial generation, all they have to do is be themselves and let us know that they understand what it is to make bad decisions in this life. Have a great four years brother, from a 26 year old white guy from rural Pennsylvania.