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February 23, 2006

We Are Governed By Idiots, Still

Yes, that would be us once again - Colorado.

A statewide smoking ban moved forward at the State Capitol Wednesday afternoon, but not before the measure passed by the State House was significantly changed.

The Senate Judiciary Committee removed an exemption for Colorado casinos, meaning the Senate version of the bill now would prevent smoking in those establishments. Both versions seek to ban smoking in the vast majority of Colorado's buildings, including its restaurants and taverns.

I don't smoke. I find the habit generally disgusting. I've seen firsthand the damage it can do to someone's health. I think smoking is really, really dumb.

That said, if you want to smoke, knock yourself out. If a private establishment wants to permit or prohibit smoking, bully for them.

While we've got those inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we're all perfectly free to pursue our happy vibes in another establishment, rather than the one that allows the smoking we don't like.

The other argument is that the ban is to defend the health of employees. Last time I checked, we're all also equally free to work where we choose (so long as the company in question also chooses us).

Warning: anecdotal tale! I've worked in the restaurant industry before and with the turnover there, it's not that hard to find another job... and, besides, most of the folks I knew were either smokers or potheads, alcoholics at the very least, so I doubt their health is their primary concern.

Now, given all of the above, I don't think such a ban would really hurt many establishments, at least not based on what I have read. New people will be willing to come out; current customers will still want to socialize with a drink. We'll all breathe a little easier in the end.

But that's not the point. This remains nanny-state do-goodism run amok, fighting a non-problem in the pursuit of looking like you're actually doing something meaningful. We are a state with economic concerns, immigration issues to be addressed, and public assfaces like Representatives Tom Tancredo and Marilyn Musgrave with which to contend - and this is the big battle our legislature is fighting?

Oh, please.