Smoking restrictions win support(Smoking Nazis)

Associated Press ^ | 6-3-03 | cp124

[cp124]

The Nazi's will be peeking in the window soon. See my 357?

[dts32041]

Maybe the land of Rino's can get smoking banned in the state and make it illegal to use or sale?

Sorry they can't do that they lose the tax money, frigging hypocrites.

[microgood]

This should really increase the number of people who agree to be foster parents.

[Sir_Humphrey]

Well, I stopped smoking (cold turkey) 8 1/2 years ago after 17 years of tobacco enjoyment. Make no mistake about it- I loved to smoke. Still when you get down to it, smoking is a thoughtless gross, habit that will kill you or at least compromise your health.

That being said, I do beleive in your right to do what you want to your body. If you would have told people 20 years ago how the extremists would use concern of your health to invade your privacy, you would have dismissed 'em as a right wing kook. Unfortunately,people are all too willing to surrender to big brother because he knows what's best for you and your neighbor.

[SixFive175]

Ever notice how, the further North you go, the more "progressive"? The highest taxes are in places like New England and Minnesota; ditto anti-smoking hysteria.

I did a study on AFDC rates (welfare payments)per family, by state. Topping the list is Minnesota. And then Twin Citians wonder why the minority population rose 4x in the last decade: the highest gain in the nation!

Go further North, and you have Canada: socialized medicine, cigarette cartons that cost as much as a car, and so-forth.

You'll find the same thing in Europe. Compare Spain or Portugal with Norway or Sweden, and you'll see what I mean.

Now it seems to me that Northern places should be doing just the opposite. I mean, who wants those awfully cold winters?

[Mears]

The foster parents are first to be regulated,the next thing it will be natural parents and then everyone else.

Watch out America, they are coming!

[Burkeman1]

The city of Boston just had a smoking ban in bars and restaraunts go into effect last month. This month- a Boston paper edirtorialized for a state wide ban; not for "health" reasons but because it is "unfair" that bar and restaraunt patrons were voting with their feet and going to neighboring towns to drink and eat that didn't have smoking bans! Everyone must suffer equally!

[ozone1]

When I moved up here 10 years ago I thought it was still part of the USA, my fault, Canada starts at the bridge in Kittery.

[Burkeman1]

New Hampshire (no state income tax or tax on smokes or booze), Maine, Montanna, Idaho- might throw a wrench in your analysis. Russia has a 13 percent flat tax now as well.

[Beck_isright]

You can keep your .357 only if it does not smoke after discharge. </politically correct anti-healthsmokingcommunistnaszisob sarcasm off

[ozone1]

House gives final OK to smoking ban in bars
By Glenn Adams, Associated Press, 6/3/2003 16:29
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Public health interests prevailed over warnings that personal freedoms are being eroded as the Maine House gave its final approval to a bill to ban smoking in bars and taverns.

Representatives' 95-47 enactment vote sent the measure to the Senate and put Maine a step closer to joining California and Delaware in imposing statewide bans on smoking in bars. New York's ban starts in July, and Connecticut's newly enacted ban on smoking in bars takes effect next April.

''We're tired of working in an environment that is not safe or healthy,'' said Rep. Leila Percy, a Phippsburg Democrat who works as a singer and bandleader in the haze of clubs that serve alcohol.

Rep. Roger Landry said that after his decade-long battle against cancer, he puts health concerns over personal freedoms cited by the bill's opponents.

''I don't think we're chipping away at people's rights as much as steering them toward a more healthy lifestyle,'' said the Sanford Democrat.

And Rep. Thomas Shields, a retired surgeon, said smokers are still free to puff away, but whether they should do it around others is a different issue.

''This bill is about protection of other people,'' said the Auburn Republican.

Opponents of the ban said more is at stake than personal freedoms.

Rep. Joshua Tardy, R-Newport, said a tavern owner to whom he rents living space fears a 30 percent loss of business when his patrons leave for a private club where they can smoke while they drink.

''It's going to shut that business down,'' said Tardy. ''It's going to put my tenant out of business.''

Rep. Matthew Dunlap, D-Old Town, said some eateries in his part of the state have shut down not so much because they lost business under Maine's 1999 ban on smoking in restaurants, but because the owners became exasperated over the stream of mandates from Augusta. Several other states have also banned smoking in restaurants.

Dunlap also found lawmakers' professed concern over bar employees' health ''absolutely hilarious.'' As a bartender, Dunlap said he finds that his low pay, bad working hours, threats from customers and abuse from angry table servers are more hazardous than secondhand smoke.

''Never once did I consider smoking in the top ten,'' said Dunlap.

Rep. Maitland Richardson said he's received a stack of e-mails from constituents who feel disenfranchised as they see their personal freedoms being taken away one by one.

''Let's think in terms of what we're doing to individual choice,'' said the Skowhegan Republican, noting that he long ago gave up smoking.

Another opponent, Fryeburg Republican Rep. Kevin Muse, used the words of a bar waitress to underscore his case: ''I sling beer and chicken wings to feed two kids,'' Muse quoted the woman as saying. ''You guys on the hill better leave us alone.''

The bill that passed Tuesday also bans smoking in pool halls, but allows smoking in designated areas of off-track betting facilities.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/154/region/House_gives_final_OK_to_smokin:.shtml

[the Real fifi]

And this is okay because we have a surplus of willing and capable foster parents?

[Little Bill]

Smokes and Booze are cheap in NH, but they do have a 5% tax on unearned income, Idaho just kiked up the Butt tax to 53 cents and they have an income tax and sales tax. Montanna has a progressive income tax and sales tax, Maine is a communist state.

[Burkeman1]

Thanks for the info. Maine ain't that bad is it?

[Burkeman1]

PS- I wonder if the 5% tax on unearned income is a tool to prevent what happened to Vermont happen to New Hampshire: rich liberal trust fund babies move in and take over the state politically?

[ozone1]

8&1/2% income tax, 5% sales tax, 8% restaurant/hotel tax, property tax same as NH, $1 cig tax, outrageous booze tax, excise tax on personal property, 4% tax on health insurance, and $5.00 tolls to get out of the state.

I have decided its time to move to a low tax state like Massachusetts.

[Little Bill]

I can only go by what I have been told by Maine FReepers, No Jobs, High taxes, 7.5 pecent sales tax, semiprogressive income tax, expansive government. Maines biggest export is their educated children leaving, makes Mass look well goverened. FReep Mail Ozone1 or RockLobster for the details.

the best comment on the subject that I have seen is a bumper sticker on a Maine Vehicle on Rte 95, Balducci is a Communist.

[Burkeman1]

makes Mass look well goverened

That- I find hard to believe!

[ozone1]

We are now called the one-way U-Haul state.

If you work for a living you eventually leave.
If you enjoy the free life you move up here.

I calculated it out, I would have more cash after expenses if I paid off my house and went down to 16 hours a week. I'd get free health care and a 50% cut on my property taxes.

[Drew68]

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