Here are links to the roll calls in both the Senate and the Assembly on Wednesday's votes imposing a smoking ban on public places in Wisconsin.
The law will take effect on July 5, 2010, if signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle -- who made the issue priority and pledged to sign it.
Southeastern Wisconsin lawmakers all voted for the bill -- with one exception. Rep. Robin Vos, R-Caledonia, voted against the ban.
The full story is HERE.
Heaven forbid we let the market place rule what business do in there own property with a legal product.
ReplyDeleteIf smoking is that bad for us and I would agree that is is the the State should BAN it. Doyle will not becuse of the tax $$$ he gets mostly from the poor who smoke (and keep smoking) and pay the tax.
I am also worried about what comes next:
Soda
Milk
Red Meat
Candy
Starch
and how about taxing those who might be say overweight.
So Pete, how does it feel to describe Robin Vos as a civil libertarian?
ReplyDeleteThe only reasons smoking isn't banned completely are:
ReplyDelete- The power (and money) of the tobacco industry
- The taxes on cigarettes provide big bucks for government.
It just shows our government isn't a perfect system. And we're all paying for the smokers out there -- it's not just a private activity for them. Take a look at all the additional health care dollars that have to be paid for smoking-related illnesses. Even as a non-smoker, my health care premiums (which are through the roof) pay for that. So I don't want to hear the argument that smoking is a private choice that doesn't impact anybody but the smoker. B.S.
"Even as a non-smoker, my health care premiums (which are through the roof) pay for that. So I don't want to hear the argument that smoking is a private choice that doesn't impact anybody but the smoker."
ReplyDeleteThat is a slippery slope that could be used to support all kinds of oppressive laws and regulations. It pretty much scares the bejeezus out of me when someone brings it up.
:51
ReplyDeleteYou as well pay for the added cost of those who are overweight, eat poorly, or make other unwise food choices. When do we close the fast food places and forbid restaurants to sell Red meat? My guess is the cost of insuring that population is far more then smoking.
Kerkman and Gunderson voted no too, so Vos was not the "only" local legislator to oppose the ban.....more propoganda instead of news I guess
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:53: Sorry, missed 'em. "Local" to me means only Racine legislators.
ReplyDeleteAnd why is any of this "propaganda" or an attack on anyone? It's just facts; do you want to know how your legislators voted or not? If not, go somewhere else.
Frankly, my dear, I'm not a smoker and don't give a damn.
So "Southeastern Wisconsin lawmakers" = "only Racine legislators"? Interesting.
ReplyDelete"Frankly, my dear, I'm not a smoker and don't give a damn."
ReplyDelete...cause other people's right don't matter to me.
Pete's rights matter to him our rights not so much so
ReplyDeletePete, you make me want to take up smoking.
ReplyDelete"That is a slippery slope that could be used to support all kinds of oppressive laws and regulations. It pretty much scares the bejeezus out of me when someone brings it up."
ReplyDeleteYour rights end where they infringe on mind. So, yes, that argument can appropriately be used in the case of smoking and even people making poor dietary choices. And since it probably costs too much to match health insurance rates with lifestyle, we have to protect other people with legislation. I'm sorry, but people don't live in some bubble. Their decisions have an impact on all of society -- and I'm getting sick and tired of paying for other people's bad choices.
"Your rights end where they infringe on mind. So, yes, that argument can appropriately be used in the case of smoking and even people making poor dietary choices."
ReplyDeleteSo, if a person does something that is bad for their own health, that infringes upon your rights?
What is wrong with letting the restaurants and taverns decide? Smokers and non smokers will have a choice of where to go?
ReplyDeleteFirst I'm not a smoker..but private businesses should be allowed to cater to their customers. Had the Federal Govt. not shove CAFE standards and other regulations down the Auto industries throat's they might not be Bankrupt today. But for some reason a Room with 535, mostly Lawyers, in Washington DC know more about cars than the Auto Exec's. Same thing here.. Robin Vos took the right stand for liberty. One more kick on Americans freedom. When they tell Pete he can't use his favorite Film or Camera because the battery in the Camera causes radiation..then will he see his Liberty infringed?
ReplyDeleteWanna get into a discussion about Liberty?? Try this
liberTEAracine.blogpot.com Let's get the conversation started. I'm gonna go have a smoke with Denis.....
What kind of liberty is it when my tax dollars and health care dollars have to go to caring for the people who smoke or have poor eating habits and get sick? There's no private choice there -- it impacts everyone.
ReplyDeleteAnd restaurants catering to those smoking customers...same deal with creating a cost to each and every one of us as a result. Maybe if I could withhold my tax money and health care insurance funds from these people there would be liberty!
"What kind of liberty is it when my tax dollars and health care dollars have to go to caring for the people who smoke or have poor eating habits and get sick?"
ReplyDeleteYou are right. We need to cut off all government funding for AIDS research. Our liberties are stolen when the government does anything to help these people that got a disease that nearly always could have been avoided if they just would not have made such bad choices. {sarcasm}
If you don't think cigarette smoke is offensive, use the ashtray in yer $@#* car and stop flicking yer butts out the window.
ReplyDeleteAs a non-smoker, there are plenty of local business I don't patronize because of the terrible air quality (such as a restaurant whose "non-smoking section" consists of the tables along two walls, meaning that every table is either in or adjacent to the "smoking section"). That has left me the choice of several restaurants, but only two drinking establishments. At least I don't have to work in those places. How some of our taverns meet OSHA standards I have no idea.
"If you don't think cigarette smoke is offensive, use the ashtray in yer $@#* car and stop flicking yer butts out the window."
ReplyDeleteSo, smoking is offensive to you because some smokers litter? Now sure I understand the logic or relevance of this statement.
"You are right. We need to cut off all government funding for AIDS research."
ReplyDeleteFinally, someone gets what the concept of liberty is all about! Keep government out of my pockets.
Well...let's keep going. No funding for public schools, the military, roads, police, etc etc. Once we get rid of all government then we will be entirely free! (Entirely free to get the crap beat out of us by the biggest gang on the block...but that is beside the point...at least we will not be getting oppressed by government.)
ReplyDelete