I am very passionate about Freedom.
One of the reasons I chose to move to Missouri is because it remains one of the most free states in this country. Missouri is a swing state in major elections. Voters don't always vote according to party. Politicians have to work harder here.
This week, I am disappointed to say that my town chose to yield a freedom to the local government with a smoking ban.
I am not here to argue about whether the act of smoking is bad for you or if second hand smoke is bad...that would be a stupid argument.
My issues are these:
1. Tobacco is a legal substance.
2. Business owners should have the right to choose what is allowed in their establishment and what makes money for them. There were already some non-smoking bars in this town and patrons had options of where to spend their time and money.
3. Supposedly, one argument for the ban was to protect employees. But, this ban also encompasses E-cigarettes...which emit no second-hand smoke. Also, this ban still allows for smoking in 25% of hotel rooms...who cleans those rooms?
Number three is a touchy subject for me. Often, this argument is phrased, "To protect low income, single mothers who can't get a job anywhere else."
I tended bar for over 20 years in smoky, honky-tonk bars...by choice. I was able to support my family by working 20 hours per week, be home during the day with my children and fix dinner for them every night. My children were never in daycare...my schedule made it so they could be looked after by their father or grandparents or other people who loved them. I averaged $25 an hour to work part time at a job that required no education.
Several years ago, the city I lived in enacted a smoking ban. The bar I worked in did not serve food and was not open during the day. It was not a family establishment. The smokers quit coming out. Guess what...the non-smokers did not come rushing in to fill the void. My income went to squat and I could no longer support my family.
So, this single, uneducated mother-of-four got a job selling diamonds. Believe it or not, most professional bartenders have organizational and people skills beyond regular society's scope of imagination. Now, I make less money for more of my time. I end up missing school programs and my schedule doesn't allow to drive kids to extracurricular activities...which is fine since I can't afford them anymore. My youngest child is turning into a latchkey kid because of retail hours. Thank you do-gooders.
I confess I don't know anyone who is a hotel maid. My experience in staying at hotels is that often the maids don't speak much English or have great people skills...and maybe they would have a hard time finding employment elsewhere. This ban is not protecting them.
I reiterate that I am not going to argue whether smoking is bad for you. I think if society is so concerned with that we should outlaw cigarettes and quit taking the tax money.
I am angry that the smoking ban took away my CHOICE, when tobacco is legal.
I am also disappointed any time I see society willingly give away FREEDOM.
This truly frightens me...how will the cattle vote when it comes to issues of Net Neutrality?
