The probelm here is this idea of elitists venturing into all the working class establishments to try to keep them afloat just isn't going to happen. There have been reports of anti-smokers popping in to the odd neighborhood bar here and there to gloat, order water and fail to tip the staff, but that novelty will quickly wear off. The tofu-vegan, wine sipping trendy rich aren't going to "learn to bowl" and join a dart league! The idea is laughable. Even if they were to undergo this astonishing transformation, and started going to the working class joints like the Cardinal, next they'd have to ban fried food, so they could force bar owners to serve "raw soup" and sprouts and artichoke hearts with wine sauce.
Ultimately, this smoking ban is going to start costing everyone more money. As tax revenues from bars dry up, somebody's going to have to close the gap. Money us poor working stiffs used to fill the city's coffers with will have to be made up by everyone. Get ready for your taxes to go up again. And Jeremy, if you really want to help the business owners in your ward, you'll start fighting this smoking ban, instead of trying to prop it up for a bit longer. It will eventually collapse, but not until irreversable harm has been done to many people's livlihoods. Go into the bars around NE, and ask the owners what your position should be! Dan McGrath Longfellow http://www.subversivepictures.com http://www.smokeoutgary.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeremy Wieland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'Mpls Forum'" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 5:24 PM Subject: [Mpls] Smoking ban participation I've been following the businesses that have been benefiting from the ban. That is good. However, there are businesses that were crushed last week-end. Many of the neighborhood bars in Northeast Minneapolis suffered major financial loses. It is really important that people behind the marketing to get non-smokers out focus on more than just the trendy places. The Dakota was already smoke-free. Let's get some people into the small neighborhood joints where businesses are currently in danger. Walk the talk and spend some money. Start a non-smoking dart league. If you're a non-smoker, learn to bowl. If businesses start to go under, the ban will be revised, just as it was in Duluth. If the ban is to stay, non-smokers have to do a lot more than buy a beer once per month at Chino Latino. People have got to get out. Jeremy Wieland Northeast Candidate, 3rd Ward City Council www.jeremywieland.blogs.com REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
