Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee endorsed a nationwide smoking ban in public places, as reported on http://www.breitbart.tv/html/4958.html. Meanwhile, his rival US Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) endorsed local and state smoking bans. Both are wrong. Huckabee reveals himself as a nanny-state huckster of big government in the name of "public health." Our experience with drug and alcohol prohibition should make us wary of these approaches.
As a libertarian and lifelong smoke-hater, I reject the notion of smoker’s rights just as much as smoking bans. These bans violate property rights of the owners of the establishments. If a bar owner wants to ban smoking that is his or her business. I would look forward to visiting such an establishment, but cannot countenance the notion of imposing such preferences on others at the point of the gun of state power.
Us New York Libertarians have been combatting the smoking bans in New York City, Nassau County and statewide www.ny.lp.org.
Where exactly in the US Constitution is there the authority for such a nationwide ban?
Fortunately, while Brownback and Huckabee will win the plaudits of local fascists such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the liberal mainstream media with their stances on smoking bans, they should not expect to attract much support amongst Republicans. This will be especially true if Ron Paul supporters turn out for the only physician in the race. See my article on www.groundreport.com "Missing Q&A On Health & The 2008 USA Presidential Race," which questions both the media and the candidate’s approach on the major health issues. His supporters will bring more of a "live and let live" approach to GOP politics. (Ron Paul’s website www.RonPaul2008.com).
Can anyone breathe freely in America today with such busybodies as Bloomberg, Brownback and Huckabee on the prowl to stamp out freedoms? Let’s extinguish smoking bans. Let’s light up liberty.
(About the author: Richard Cooper is an export/import manager for a manufacturing firm on Long Island, New York. He ran as a Ron Paul delegate in the February 5th Super Tuesday primary).