Posted on 05/17/2007 4:47:06 PM PDT by Wheee The People
Editorial: Smoking ban proves Legislature can get things done 5/17/2007 8:56:33 AM ...
The hope comes in the form of the "Freedom to Breathe Act," which Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed on Wednesday.
The act, which will take effect on Oct. 1, bans smoking in virtually all bars and restaurants in the state. A statewide smoking ban was proposed in previous legislative sessions, but the bills died amid the partisan rancor that has beset the Legislature through the 2000s.
This year, however, nearly equal numbers of Republican and DFL lawmakers joined together to pass the statewide smoking ban by comfortable margins in both the Senate and the House.
We stated in a previous editorial that the smoking ban issue is one that is best addressed at the statewide level. Many cities and counties, including Olmsted, have enacted their own smoking bans over the last decade. But those local ordinances create an unequal playing field for bar and restaurant owners who fear they'll lose business to nearby communities. The statewide bill goes a long way toward leveling the playing field.
We are empathetic to business owners who still believe they'll lose customers as a result of the statewide ban. However, the Oct. 1 implementation date, which was moved back from the bill's original Aug. 1 compliance deadline, should give business owners and their patrons time to plan ahead. Who knows? Maybe some customers will use the next four and a half months to complete smoking cessation programs, or cut back on their tobacco use.
We also empathize with those who argue that the government has no business telling restaurant and tavern proprietors what to do.
After all, no one is forcing individuals to frequent bars or restaurants that permit smoking, and there are plenty of smoke-free dining and entertainment options out there.
The law isn't perfect. There are still concerns that bars and restaurants near Indian gaming casinos, which are exempt from the new law because they're under federal jurisdiction, might be at a competitive disadvantage.
The same holds true for establishments in border communities such as Moorhead.
Only the enactment of a national smoking ban would completely level the playing field. But that's not likely to happen anytime soon. In the meantime, a Minnesota ban makes good sense in a state that has for decades been a leader in the protection of public health.
Just like social conservatives have been alienated by Rudy Giuliani’s GOP candidacy for POTUS nomination...
It’s only a two party system in the USA when it should really be a 16 party parliamentary system like Europeans and Israel where you have to choose alliances and garner a governing coalition... OH WAIT THAT’S WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE whether people know it or not... it’s called Frank Meyer’s Fusionism circa 1960. Somebody should tell the Wheeezer to read a history book. None of the 3 segments of the GOP Big Tent can win an election on their own.
The only person who can win on his own is Sen. Jesus Christ (R-Nazareth) The rest of us have to work with each other. That means you too Wheee Wheee on the Sheeple.
SOME??? You would not believe, but I keep a list of the anti-smokers that live among us here in FRee Republic.\
It's sickening!
We are all supposed to be on the same side here, but to the FReeper anti-smokers, their "own kind that smoke" are nothing but pond scum!
Try this, just to see if you can wrap your mind around it. I don't like that you have a gun. It's been PROVEN that guns are dangerous and kill people. Both republicans and democrats agree with banning them. Therefore since we can have a referendum signed by the legislatures and the governor banning your guns and your private ownership you have until October 1 to give it up. Maybe it will encourage you to quit your NRA membership or to take up knives or perhaps knitting. I'm sympathetic that you feel it is your right to own a gun, but you don't have the right to shoot me with it. The people have spoken and it's getting more popular by the day so get used to it.
You'll have to declare the VFW a "sanctuary" lodge that doesn't enforce state smoking laws, just like the "sanctuary" cities of St Paul & Mpls that don't enforce federal immigration laws.
Here's some for you.......
Damn it. You gave the Wheenie of the Sheeple the Cliff Notes version of the right answer. I wanted to see if he oculd figure it out for himself.
Hey you!
I'm late tonight. LOL
Oh yes, Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee is one of our biggest Anti-smokers. And to think he is a Conservative. ~tisk ~tisk
No wonder our party is going down the toilet.
And maybe this person could keel over from a brain hemorrage.
And we could debate which wold be a greater benefeit to society.
Not bloody likely that this person will be able to grasp the concept. If the government can take away the rights of a hated minority because it is popular they can take away ANYBODYS freedoms. It seems like a lot of “conservatives” think that it’s ok just this once, to take away freedoms for the “common good”. But of course they don’t support taking away OTHER freedoms, just this one. For now. I can see the glazed eyes whenever I talk about this to a smoke Nazi. It is just a concept they are willfully able to ignore. I am almost at the Kubler-Ross stage of “acceptance”. Not of the bans, but that there are enough citizens who just can never be reached with reason. Bill Richardson is going to run on a platform of a nation-wide ban. And he will get votes because of it.
Thanks for the ping.
I think wheep for the sheeple started this thread because this person has an overwhelming need/desire/habit to aggravate folks. Sounds just like someone else we know, eh?
However, the only thing he/she has accomplished was once again making themselves out to be a laughingstock tool.
/JRS, is that you?/
“No wonder our party is going down the toilet.”
That’s right. And it’s not one of those water saver toilets, either.
It’s the old kind of super flush john that could suck down a small child. (or a political party)
What the hell are people thinking?
I've got $200 that says Wheenie won't come back here and take his beating like a man. (OMG I just made a bet...anybody who thought about taking me up on the offer is going to Hell) He doesn't need to. The liberal progressives in the anti tobacco movement will do his dirty work for him. The liberals will call on him and the Fundamantilists when they can't find enough libs and use the "religious right" to accomplish their egalitarian goals when it suits them. They'll play him like a violin. I'll just abuse him for our amusement. If he doesn't come back to this thread...which wouldn't be a shock since he ran from the last 4...I will be there with this post for him every time I log on to FR>>>
Social Conservatives applaud this
Please go back to DU you big TROLL!!!! Yes you are a disgrace to conservatives. Why would you want government controlling people’s lives. BTW, I don’t smoke, but I don’t want government getting in people’s lives. You are obviously a big lover of government bennies which is why you want big government.
I got $200 that says at least 3 more states will limit the addicts this year.
Hey, are you going to tell Fred he can’t have a stogie, LOL.
Here’s a good tagline fer ya;
(nO (smoking) FRed)
JRS never invoked God’s name to rationalize Fascism. He was just a loser.
What we have here is a very serious situation:
Liberals believe that GOVERNMENT IS GOD
Some right wing religious extremists believe that GOVERNMENT WORKS FOR THEIR GOD
Bottom Line: GOD HELP US ALL. We’re going to need it.
You just gambled! SINNER!!!!!!!!! You're going to Hell!
If not, than you are at least going to go to Newark, NJ...or Cleveland.
I agree. It’s hard to believe that anyone that states such crap can call themselves a conservative with a straight face.
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