St. Louis to be renamed Oceania

If the proposed smoking ban in St. Louis County passes, we might as well rename the town Oceania. In what can only be described as Orwellian, the St. Louis County Council is considering a county - wide ban on smoking in all public places. This includes bars & restaurants as well as casinos. I know I'm sometimes lagging in my perception of that which surrounds me, but I can't recall the exact moment when the jack-booted thugs marched into town and took over.

Isn't America supposed to hate facists? Didn't our founders flee Britian because they wanted to establish a society of democracy and personal choice?

Doesn't this all come down to personal choice? I'm a non-smoker, but when I frequent a pub, I do so knowing there will be smokers exercising their right to smoke inside. I deal with it. I don't inconvenience 50 people because I think my needs exceed the needs of others. And that's just the problem, our legislative bodies have reacted in knee-jerk fashion to the enormously audible whining of a small group of people. The do gooders and the legislators have not studied the economic and personal enjoyment impact the proposed legislation will have when, (and if) it's enacted. (See archives "Don't Smoke While Riding the Metrolink to Rob My House")

Personal choice is the common denominator here. If you don't like to be around smoke CHOOSE to go somewhere that prohibits it. If you enjoy a puff now and again, CHOOSE to support establishments that allow you to smoke. If you're a non-smoker and you're in an establishment that permits smoking, don't take it upon yourself to decide what's best for everyone, excercise your right to CHOOSE to go somewhere else. If you're a tavern owner, and a majority of your patrons smoke, then you should have the CHOICE to offer a smoking atmosphere. Likewise, if a significant share of your customers voice an opinion against smoking, then you, as the business owner should have the CHOICE to establish a No Smoking policy.

The bottom line is this: The will of the few should never determine the destiny of the many.

Gotta go now, I think the telescreen can see me typing this......