> One more time on the smoking ban: the smoking ban is tyrannical because it > is another example of oppressive power exerted by government. The smoking > ban wasn't needed if those with enough faith in the market would allow it > to > do its job.
Faith in the market is misplaced faith, indeed. The "great, invisible hand of the marketplace" fails as often, if not more often than it succeeds and smoking is a perfect example of that. If the market truly worked, then very, very few people would smoke. They would understand that "benefit" of smoking is far outweighed by its costs and never start. And yet, they do. Why is this? It's because the marketplace, like democracy, fails when the consumer/elector is not properly educated. (Two American economists won a Nobel prize proving this point.) When the consumer is overmarketed and undereducated he makes bad choices and supports bad products. I used to go to clubs. I had to stop because I found that breathing was a prerequisite to enjoying the evening. Now that the ban is in effect, I can once again go to those clubs and I enjoy them more than I ever did. The smoking ban hurts those bars where the proponents of the > ban > would never, ever stoop low enough to ever go into, if even to use the > phone > or the toilet. 99% of smoking ban proponents will never deign to patronize > 99% of the bars affected by this ban. The smoking ban is elitist and > patronizing and oppressive.... brought to us by the same people who > regularly whine about oppression and talk about making Minneaplis business > friendly. Wow, nice stereotyping. Some of my favorite places are the ones you are eluding to. If I didn't go in them before, it was because of the smoke pouring out the door. I find it difficult to fairly evaluate a place when I'm gagging and sick to my stomach from the smell. Along the same lines as smoke... perfume. I would love it if all perfume departments were kept in an airtight room so that I don't accidently pass in front of them. Victoria's Secret is a great example of this (or used to be), you can get asphixiated just by walking past the door. (The City Center VS was the worst, I use to avoid that entire side of the mall because of it.) Robert Schmid Central 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
