Michigan Votes Forum

WHO IN THE FIRST PLACE GAVE THE GOVERMENT THE RIGHTTO TELL A BUSINESS PERSON THE RIGHT THAT HE CANNOT OPERATE THE WAY HE WANTS TO. A SIGN ON THE DOOR SAYING SMOKING BAR, OR NONSMOKING BAR SHOULD BE ENOUGH.

 First off it may be a she not a he. It's the law, and it is going to stay that way. Smokers suck.

johntithof:

WHO IN THE FIRST PLACE GAVE THE GOVERMENT THE RIGHTTO TELL A BUSINESS PERSON THE RIGHT THAT HE CANNOT OPERATE THE WAY HE WANTS TO. A SIGN ON THE DOOR SAYING SMOKING BAR, OR NONSMOKING BAR SHOULD BE ENOUGH.

We are the government. Remember, a government of, for, and by the people. That means we have a right to tell a business owner he must provide a safe environment for us to eat and drink in. Smokers have a right to endanger themselves, not others.

gypsy:

We are the government. Remember, a government of, for, and by the people. That means we have a right to tell a business owner he must provide a safe environment for us to eat and drink in. Smokers have a right to endanger themselves, not others.

No it doesn't.  Your argument does not follow.  A business owner should have the right to operate his business as he pleases.  You have a right not to do business with him.

tk0329:

Smokers suck.

People who force other people to submit to their will suck.  It is perfectly legitimate for government to outlaw smoking on government property.  It is not legitimate for them to control private businesses.

If I am one of the people you speak of then you are in fact violating my actual constitutional rite to the pursuit of happiness, which smoking does for me. As far as your comment, I agree with the other posting, if a business owner wishes to cater to smokers then you are free to go somewhere else and thus your health would not be in danger right?

 Business owners have the right to make their own decisions.  The government violated that right, and they're thinking about giving it back according to their rules.  Just another violation of personal liberty.  The people have a government; the governement doesn't have people.

Business owners have the right to own a business and operate it according to the law. The government has an obligation to protect it's citizens. The people are the government.

" Here sir, the people govern." Alexander Hamilton

The smoking ban is unconstitutional under the 5th amendment.  Private property shall not be taken for public use without proper compensation.  A privately owned bar is private property.  It's owned by a private entity that risked the investment and is responsible for paying the bills and taxes.  A bar is in business to turn a profit, period.  In order to maximize profit, owners need to provide an establishment that provides for the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.  If tobacco, a legal product, becomes unpopular because of health concerns, etc., then the free market system will force bars to become smoke free based on the law of supply and demand.  When government interferes with the free market system based on "protecting" people for their own good, we no longer have a free market capitalistic system.  We have a totalitarian or fascist system.  Adolf Hitler also banned smoking in Nazi Germany.  Many Michigan bar owners are suffering under this ban and are beginning to go out of business.  When government imposes regulations that put significant financial burdens and hardships on a private business, the 5th amendment has been violated.  Especially when egregious favoritism is demonstrated by allowing casinos to be exempt so their large tax payments to the state will not be interfered with.  This law needs to be repealed now to limit its damage already done to private business owners.  It would be reasonable to require the owner to put a sign on the entrance designating whether the establishment is smoke free or not.  Those who wish to remain smoke free are welcome to do so and choice will be given back to responsible adults not in need of government supervision.