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    Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?

    Raise the curtain.

    Property Rights Up In Smoke


    By prattleon, Section News
    Posted on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:01:42 AM EST
    Tags: (all tags)

    This is a blog that I posted elsewhere after the smoking ban bill was passed in the house.  After hearing more news stories today, I decided to repost it here.  I think this is a serious property rights issue, and there is no compromising that.

    The Michigan Senate passed a bill banning smoking in "all workplaces including bars, restaurants and even casinos."  This takes Michigan residents one step closer to a huge loss in private property rights.  It's even closer, knowing that Granholm has stated her willingness to sign any bill aimed at banning smoking.  

    Even for someone who dislikes smoke in any type of establishment, I see this as a blatant violation of the rights of business owners.  Any legislation that allows the state to restrict a voluntary action within the confines of a private establishment, opens the doors for further encroachments on our liberty.  

    Health concerns are completely irrelevant to this issue.  Patrons of bars and restaurants are not obligated to enter any of these establishments, and they have no right to impose their will on the owners or the other patrons.  No one has a right to a smoke-free restaurant or bar as a consumer.  That would place an illegitimate obligation on business owners to provide such a service.  Legitimate rights never impose positive obligations (requiring a smoke-free establishment) on anyone; instead they impose a negative obligation (ex. one cannot deprive another of free speech).  

    An owner absolutely has the right to ban smoking within their establishment, which has been done successfully in many cases.  In doing so, the owner imposes no positive obligation on anyone else.  Business owners are offering us something, not forcing anything on us.  We can choose to do business with them or not; and our health decisions are much better left in our own hands.

    < Thursday in the Sphere, May 29 | New poll puts McCain up in Michigan... BUT... >


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    Agree, Prat. (none / 0) (#1)
    by Nick on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:51:06 AM EST
    100%

    Or, another way of looking at it. (none / 0) (#2)
    by KG One on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:49:49 AM EST
    Anything that government can mandate (or take away from one person), it can do the same for you in the future.

    Why just think: government imposed "Fat taxes" for those living what they deem "unhealthy" lifestyles, or even worse yet, making someone purchase health insurance!

    The concept of limited government is an anathema to those people.

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