They’ve got some weird ideas about government. You know the type: always spouting off about personal responsibility. Private property rights. Adults making their own decisions.
Sheesh. What do they think we’ve got a government for?
Mike H is the latest Letter-in-Bottlesian to opine on Wisconsin’s impending smoking ban:
…another nail in the coffin of individual liberty and a business owner’s ability to make their own decisions.
And therein lies my biggest problem with the ban. Smoking – for all it’s risks – is a legal activity for adults. I am not opposed to banning smoking at school or in government buildings or hospitals. I have no problem with protecting our innocent children from the evil cigarettes, but bars, taverns, places where only adults are allowed to be, should not be included.
…This isn’t just about public spaces either, we are about to pass legislation that bans smoking even in private clubs. The Reference Bureau’s analysis states quite clearly: The substitute amendment also specifically prohibits smoking in private clubs. Please tell me that the 4 of us here at LIB are not the only ones who find it just a little disturbing that we are including private clubs in a public smoking ban. What’s next, our own homes?
Well, yes, Mike. Duh. Private residences are next…but only if you have children at first. We have to protect those poor kids!
You said it yourself, man: “I have no problem with protecting our innocent children from the evil cigarettes…” Once we start asking Big Government to protect us from ourselves, there’s no limit to where they’ll stop.
P.S. Love the “coffin nail” metaphor in this context.