Smoking ban?

The Startribune had a story yesterday about a statewide smoking ban.

Many will argue the civil liberties rant and make nicotine induced rants about how smoking is a right.

Government will be taken to task for being too involved in business because, afterall, we do not want "big brother" interfering in business matters.

Nevermind that government already plays a significant role in what does and does not happen in business.

OSHA keeps our workplaces safe...perhaps that's too much government regualtion. People should be free to choose their workplace and take the risks of working in assembly areas with high rates of death and dismemberment. That's freedom.

The IRS taxes business proportionately to what they profit. Taxes too high? Sure. But forcing businesses to pay because of their utilization of state tax benefits (education costs, transportation, high stanards of living in MN, health care costs) is impeding my ability to live a free life.

Bars and restaraunts do not need sneeze guards, its government regualtion.

The temperature of food should not be regulated. If some resatarunts like to serve cold food, it should not be a crime. If it carries E-Coli and other dangerous bacteria (liberal fallacy), then it's your right to choose to utilize their services.

Why should an employee have to wash his/her hands before coming back to work, in direct contact with your food?

Government regulations are killing our freedoms.

You'll note that my tongue was firmly planted in my cheek during this rant.

These government regulations are here to protect us. It's the same argument the Bushies used with the Partiot Act. It was meant to protect us. Now, the Fed has tracked every key stroke used on this post and every key stroke you used to find this post.

Ah, Freedom...

From the Strib story...

"If this is what government is for, let's go to the next step -- why not cheeseburgers?" said Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano. "Big Brother has got to take care of us because we are too dumb or too lazy to care for ourselves."

A small government conservative, that wants to invade the bedrooms of Minnesota with an anti same sex marraige diatribe and an anti choice mantra, but when it comes to business...hey! Watch it boy!

Personal responsibility anyone? Absolutely! But when Americans are dying as a result of a 3 inch stick of tobacco, while the powerful tobacco lobby contaminates the democratic process, we have a serious problem that needs to be addressed!

Second hand smoke anyone?

Secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 22,700-69,600 heart disease deaths in adult nonsmokers in the United States each year. While its a wide disparity, relate that to 16,000 alcohol related traffic deaths every year. Who wants weaker DUI guidelines?

163,510 people died as a result of lung cancer in 2005. More than 87% of lung cancers are smoking related.

Smoking ban? I support it, but would also work to assist those businesses on the borders of MN and assist them as they would most likely lose business to ND, SD, IA, and WI.

The balls in the Legislative court now...