Speaking of "Less" Gov't

[Glenn W]

I have a political question that does not always seem to be tied to party lines
Smoking in Resturants and Bars.
I am a smoker--- it is nasty and smells, I know that.
However, as a resturant owner, why do we need the Govt. to bann smoking in resturants. Why not let society decide on a voluntary basis? If a resturant wants to be smoke free, then it can do so (at the risk of losing smoking customers). The same goes for those establishments that want to allow smoking.
There are a gazillion places to patronize for dinner or drinks (smoking or non-smoking)--- why do we need the Government to dictate what is and is not smoke free in a free enterprise system?
I just don't understand why the Govt. needs to get involved in something that people have the freedom to choose?

BTW, this thread is (in part) a metaphor to those many right wing non smokers in the so called "Keep the Government out of my life" preachers
Across the board smaller Government seems good until it fails to protect your interests.

[flatbottom]

we Don't need gov. establishing a position and ruling a smoke free zone. I believe the health industry and insurance industry pushed the envelope across the board table. I know this sounds weird but you and I need to quit smoking soon. And I do not work for the gov. Buy stock in Pharmaceuticals. All the non smokers are living longer. The Insurance companies took a gamble....in the long run they loose excuse me while I cough up a lung.......I feel better now

[fishskipper]

I agree with you Glenn.... I don't smoke, but I think its a freedom to do what you want... I do have to say, I hate to go in a restaurant and be asked smoking or non....... cause I really don't care ... I just want to sit down and get something to eat!!! Less Government is the Best Government!!!!!!!!!!!

[wauwinet]

In my town the restaurants were all required to go 100% smoke free by the local health department.

Their argument is that they are protecting the employees who have to work in the smoky restaurant. Essentially, they are creating a smoke free workplace.

I know several restaurant employees, and they all love it.

[gradywhite273]

i agree glenn, less govt is a better thing. I also remember reading an article when it came up in delaware. As I remember it , the restaurant owners wanted the state to say yea or nea, most likely it was based on the premisis that if the govt said no smoking, then the restaurants wouldn't have to get the smoke eating equipment. They just figured if the govt did that, then they wouldn't have to lose the smoker income, because nowhere else in the state could they smoke at a restaurant.

[shoefish]

It's a great question Glenn, and to me, it is the reason why I think it's a lot harder to sit in office than people think. On the surface of it it's easy to say "get the government the hell out of my life" and think it's the right thing to do (hell, I say it all the time- Live Free or Die). Then when you apply it it's a bit harder though.

Take your example. Banning smoking does seem like an unnecessary thing for the government to stick their noses in....but....one argument for it could easily be that smoking has been proven to affect health. If you've ever known anyone who has gone though any of the health problems of emphazema, COPD, etc, you are obviosly well versed with the amount of medical care that is needed as these people slowly fade out. Many of the folks who get further down the line cannot hold a job, etc, and so don't have medical coverage and can't afford the bills. This then adds to cost that hospitals have to recoup in order to keep the lights on, which effects insurance premiums....you see where I'm going with this, and it's all to treat something that is avoidable .

We say that they should stay the hell out of our lives, but then when you look at your insurance premiums and realize all of the indigent people that you are making up for you say "there's got to be a better way"...and before anyone says it, a better way is not socialized healthcare.

So I guess back to your point, nothing exists in a vaccuum, and I'm not saying it's right or wrong to ban smoking, but just that it's a lot easier on the surface.

[Glenn W]

Shoe, I just want a beer and a burger--- hold the National health care policy please, and I'll take the insurance arguement on the side without mayo.

[hubris 1]

the gov't plays a funny role there too. they sue the tobacco industry.......collect millions! tax cigarettes and collect millions! actually tax tobacco, and then they talk about health care. personally i think smoking is a sign of stupidity. i say it that way because thats the only way it gets the attention of someone that does it. now they are offended and they think about what they are doing. killing themselves. i dont need the govt to tell me not to smoke. i understand its harmful. but unlike in the animal kingdom mans bad habits dont get weeded out. they multiply. and everyone with a bad habit is given a govt program to follow. i mean cmon, needles for drug use so you dont get aids but drugs are illegal. thats what i mean by less govt........let them get aids, i dont care. let them over dose and die. i dont care. when i think of less govt this is what gets me. the govt has a two part program for everything. and they want to expand all of them. as a society we have a program for every disfunction, and the govt has a funding program in place to play both sides of the equation.

[Younger]

I agree Glenn. The government should butt out. Those who think they "know what is best" need to be thrown out of office.

[randall r]

you want govt out of your life.....but you want it to protect you with its military, pave the roads, protect you with its police, etc......frankly i wish there were no speed limits, seat belt laws, helmet laws, drug laws, life jacket ,equipment laws, (somewhat divided on bag limits) and on and on.......but going to hear music at my friends club, something i do a few nights a week, is infinitely more enjoyable now that there is no cloud of smoke in the room...and i dont reek of cigarette smoke when i get home