David Brower quips: "(Remind me to call it "property rights hysteria" the next time that issue comes up. We can do better than inflammatory rhetoric here.)"
Vicky responds: The smoking ban controversy IS a property rights issue. It boils down to a conflict between the "Nanny State" and "Private Property Rights". To frame the debate, let's start with some facts. 1. 80% of the population does not smoke. The other 20% paid $247 million of excise and sales taxes in 2002, plus $363 million in tobacco settlement payments to Minnesota, for a total of $610 million. 2. Tobacco is a legal, heavily taxed (and heavily subsidized) product. 3. The percentage of people who smoke declines each year. 4. Virtually everyone knows that health risks are associated with tobacco use. The left argues: The 80% majority of the population deserves "victim" status, thus government protection. The right argues: Voluntary acts involving legal products on private property are none of your business. If 80% of the population wants smoke-free night clubs and restaurants, many would exist. Free markets and profit motives work. As time goes on, there will be fewer and fewer smokers; so the problem will solve itself. In the meantime, NOTHING prevents the establishment of smoke-free venues. >From the Illinois Supreme Court: "It is precisely for the protection of the minority that constitutional limitations exist. Majorities need no such protection. They can take care of themselves." Ring V. Board of Education (1910) Regulating people out of business is a government "taking" - equivalent to the abuse of eminent domain powers. Such acts on the part of government require "just compensation" to the harmed parties. The regional solution is to do nothing. Let free markets and freedom of choice prevail. Opinions by Vicky Heller North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
