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Smoked.

By JGillman, Section News
Posted on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 08:51:01 AM EST
Tags: smoking, bans, constitutionality, Michigan, Legislature, Business, Job Loss (all tags)

That is how the owners of small bars and restaurants across the state of Michigan are feeling.

Since the ban on smoking in such establishments has been implemented, there has been a dramatic DECREASE in attendance at these locations. Profits are down, and more businesses suffer under the heavy hand of our state government, and the do-gooders who inhabit it. From Mlive:

The Home Bar on Portage Street in Kalamazoo this month has seen sales plummet nearly 50 percent, said owner Harriet Bronson. In her 37 years at the bar, it's never been this bad.

"It's terrible -- slow, slow, slow," said Bronson, who's had to cut the hours of some of her employees.
Smaller bars like the Home Bar should have been allowed to decide if they wanted to go smoke free, she said.
"The state's in bad enough shape as it is," she said. "I hope people come back, but we'll see."
Denise Bilyeu, manager at Bubba's Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Allegan, said business has been down 15 percent to 20 percent since the law took effect. The biggest dip in sales has been at night with the "party-crowd folks," she said.

The "party-crowd" folks simply went home... Didn't they?

One month... Only one month to realize what was predicted. More losses for the state of Michigan, based on the efforts of an over reaching government to protect us... against ourselves. One month to get a clue of the true potential of unemployment if we continue to allow our legislators to gerrymander the word "liberty" from our collective consciousness. One LOUSY MONTH to DESTROY, PLUNDER PILLAGE the dreams of Michigan Business owners by taking the ability of those owners to operate THEIR BUSINESSES in a manner THEY DETERMINE.

There are other effects.

The number of private clubs such as the Elks, Moose and Eagles Lodges which had allowed smoking, were a refuge for many who wanted to light up and enjoy an adult beverage after work. Most of these rely on the profits of the bar to support the overhead and expense of running the operations.

Those operations?

As an Elks member, I can tell you that there are no fewer than 10 different projects going on from Special Olympics to veterans support efforts that directly benefit our community. The generosity of Elks, and those other lodges has been tremendous in the past, but now the numbers of patrons are down. I wonder if that minor escape being taken away, along that place to hang out with old friends for many of the members going by the wayside now threatens the overall activity of the benevolent efforts. I know it will.

It always does. Legislation is DESIGNED to have impact. But all too often, that impact is not where it ought to be.

There are arguments still being waged on the issue, but no amount of arguing gives the ability of the government to take away your rights.

Your hands are your own. You OWN them.
If you have made something with your hands, you own it.
If you own something it is yours to control.
If you own property, and someone you do not want on that property will not leave, they are trespassing.
You are NOT obliged to associate with persons because the government says so.

These simple concepts are PROTECTED by the constitution. But they are natural rights, those given by God, our creator. No man can take them away. Man will interfere, Man will misrepresent, but the rights still exist whether government deems to protect.. or deny them. Morally, the law is bad.

But there it is.

And we are expected to say "thank you.. may I have another?"

< 20 Times Before | Help the Michigan Truth Squad Blow the Whistle on Politicians this Campaign Season >

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Smoked. | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 hidden)

Yep! ...and... (none / 0) (#1)
by Corinthian Scales on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 10:50:05 AM EST

...this steaming pile of sh!t, if ever sees the light of day, should be the final nail in the coffin for most establishments in this state.

House Bill 5059 allows municipalities the option of putting on the ballot a 50 cent tax on alcoholic drinks sold by the glass.

Marie Donigan, Rashida Tlaib, Coleman Young, Fred Durhal and Mark Meadows.

All thieving, socialist Dimocrats.

Remember their names.

Why I still reside in this state is becoming a real issue that I may have to rethink. It's sorta like sh!tting in your own hat and then putting it on your head.

Time for a change? (none / 0) (#2)
by sailingconservatively on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 11:07:45 AM EST

CS, you certainly have a way with colourful verbiage. Rarther than up root and leave, perhaps this is the time to begin a fresh approach to our voting habits.

Neither side is offering up a "fresh approach" to politics as usual. Certainly the AG post is worth a look. This is the top spot in consumer oversight and legislative shenanigans(which have been all to frequent of late).

An interesting candidate has recently entered the race on the Libertarian ticket. Very much like Rand Paul, it appears that he is a "Republican Libertarian" (whatever that means) and views private property as private, liberty as inalienable and government as a much smaller entity.

Time for a change?Indeed.

On The Other Hand (none / 0) (#3)
by grannynanny on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 11:09:54 AM EST

the beer/wine/liquor lobby has been very strong in this state. Cigarettes have taken the brunt of the tax increases while alcohol has not seen any increases in over 20-25 years.

Again... by sailingconservatively, 06/03/2010 12:16:51 PM EST (none / 0)

I do not favor (none / 0) (#5)
by grannynanny on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 02:12:40 PM EST

any tax period! But we smokers get picked on every damn time. You would have thought that the liquor lobby would have spoke up and really cried when the smoke ban was being debated. But they didn't and look what got enacted.

The biggest problem with the smoke ban is that you cannot even smoke on the patios and that is what is hurting a lot of businesses.

Granny: by sailingconservatively, 06/03/2010 02:23:42 PM EST (none / 0)

Agreed by grannynanny, 06/03/2010 04:33:05 PM EST (none / 0)

Although, maybe... (none / 0) (#8)
by Corinthian Scales on Thu Jun 03, 2010 at 06:24:48 PM EST

...it's better in one of the other 59 states?

Perhaps I'll go on a cruise to contemplate my options...

Naaaaaah, all 60 of 'em are screwed. They're all managed by a kakistocracy.

Just the bars and restaurants? (none / 0) (#9)
by Corinthian Scales on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 11:56:43 AM EST

Nope. See here.

But six weeks into the ban, bowlers who smoke are finishing their games quickly, and not staying for that extra drink and cigarette. That worries owners whose sales come from both bowling and their bars.

Said Nancy McClain, who owns Belmar Lanes in Lincoln Park: "Bowling, smoking and drinking go together."

No sh!t?

Bowling is a big business in Michigan, which has about 230 bowling centers. The state has more bowlers certified by the United States Bowling Congress than any other in the nation.

Some bowling alley owners estimate that about half of their customers are smokers.

Bowlers already are spending less time at the bar. But winter will be the real test, when bowlers will have to trudge out into the cold and snow to smoke. Before they do, they must ditch their bowling shoes.

I'm glad that for the first time in seven years that I am not in a league. No longer do I drop $80-$100 per week over the 30 weeks of league play.

My next move when this state gets the brilliant idea of raising the taxes on liquor and beer, and I mean not just in restaurants & bars due to the lost revenue?

I will prolly be going down to Indiana (cigs & booze is cheaper dontchya know) occasionally to stock up reserves at my man cave.

Is it just me that thinks this way? Nope.

As for what my friend in Texas thinks about smoking bans? Read if you choose, but I caution, adult language. Great song though.

Huh.. whattaya know? by JGillman, 06/12/2010 05:15:40 PM EST (none / 0)

Smoked. | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 hidden)

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Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?
Tweets about "#RightMi, -YoungLibertyMI, -dennislennox,"

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