You know the government has gotten too big when little (local) government is making your day to day decisions for you. Just a few years ago, Austinites got to chose whether or not they smoked in bars, and weather or not they ate at restaurants that had smoking sections. We used to decide things on our own, now I suppose we can't be trusted by Big Brother to make daily choices. No one was ever forced to smoke, heck no one was ever forced to be near smokers or second hand smoke. Businesses were never required to cater to cancer cravers by providing smoking sections and ash trays. Some businesses chose to allow smoking and others chose not to; customers chose to go to smoking establishments or avoid them. Pretty simple, and it makes sense. But now days we don't get to choose, the choice has been made, made by Austinites - the voters, the non-smokers. Sure some nut-case City Council members are somewhat responsible for the ban, sure there was a million dollar anti-smoking campaign push, but the bottom line is the people of Austin voted - and the people got what they wanted. And that is why I am fully in favor of this unbelievably foolish ban.
Horrible for the economy and small business owners? Certainly. Does it improve the health of the citizens? Absolutely not. Does it mean voters voted away their own freedom? You got it.
But smokers still smoke, and non-smokers feel like they accomplished something. As for me, I don't smoke and I live in Wells Branch, where we don't vote away our freedom. I'm just pleased that the city of Austin let the voters decide instead of imposing this ban on the citizens. Thats the way it should be. Less people smoke than don't smoke. Let the majority decide.
Last week on the blog “The Elephant and the Armadillo,” a blog was posted entitled “Austin Smoking Ban – so ridiculous, it kinda makes sense.” I must start off by complementing the title. It drew me in to find out what the author was talking about, and I must say I agree with his assertion. Though the ban on smoking in bars and restaurants itself is controversial, I believe the method that was used to implement it was absolutely legitimate and representative of a democratic system in operation. An issue that would affect everyone was raised and instead of leaving the decision in the hands of a few, the issue was bought forward so that the population as a whole could decide their own fate. In this case, as usual, not everyone participated, but those who would be affected by this law were afforded the opportunity to vote on it.
ReplyDeleteSo in the end, a few decided this was an important enough issue that they needed to exercise their right to vote, but many more decided to exercise their right not to vote. Democracy played out like it usually does in the U.S. Though all had the opportunity to vote, in the end, the decision was left to the relatively small group of individuals who voted. The people voted and the measure passed. The majority (of the few who voted) decided for all. The commentary was right, “bottom line is the people of Austin voted – and the people got what they wanted.” Hey, this is the U.S. and that’s how we roll.
When I read my fellow classmates blog titled Austin Smoking Ban- so ridiculous, it kinda makes sense, it sparked my interest because I've been working in a resteraunt for the past 3 years. Now what my classmate, T.J Porter, mentions in his blog about how there is a non smoking ban period inside or out of a resteraunt establishment and if it benifits the public or not. Mr Porter does state that its our votes that counted for this matter to be taken care of, in which of course we as people voted that there should be no smoking even outside on the patio.
ReplyDeleteI believe, unlike Mr. Porter, in a way it does improve the health of citizens. Sort of. There are people who like to sit outside on the patio that are non-smokers that would not like to get a whiff of second hand smoke. I do agree with most of all the other things he stated in his comment regarding Non-smoking in places. I know from experience that at work, alot of people ask me if there is smoking permitted outside on the patio, which I've gotten this question both asked by smokers and non-smokers. Of course the smokers are bummed that they can't smoke on the patio, but very well can do so in the waiting area that is near the patio. Then of course the non smokers are happy because they can enjoy a nice day on the patio without the scent of smoke looming in the air. For me, I don't mind sitting near a smoker if the wind is blowing the smoke in the opposite direction where I'm sitting. However if its coming towards me, then I really don't want to be smelling like an ash tray when I get home. So to put it simply, I don't like sitting next, or near a smoker when I'm eating. Besides, smoking is just gross period!
My colleague TJ Porter wrote an interesting article “"Austin Smoking Ban-so ridiculous, it kinda make sence". The article is about the local government making decisions for you. This is regarding the smoking ban that Austin established a few years ago. He talks about in his article that the people in Austin got to choose whether or not they smoke in bars, and whether or not they ate in a restaurant that had a smoking section. He claims that we do not get to make decisions regarding if we want to be around smokers. Austenite’s voted for this ban and it was passed. My colleague is in favor for this band on smoking.
ReplyDeleteI agree with my colleague. At the time this ban was put into place I was a smoker. I think the smoking ban in Austin is a joke, but it is what the people wanted. Yes people have a right to choose to go into a restaurant or a bar and not be around second hand smoke. People that smoke have a right to go into a restaurant or bar and smoke a cigarette. I think instead of baning smoking they should have a designated smoking section, a separate place that is closed up and away from people that do not smoke. That would make everybody happy. That was not an option. The option is let’s get rid of it all together.
I do not think it affected business at all. People still smoke in bars just do not get caught by law officials. People still go out to eat. The smoking ban did make the people of Austin feel better.
I am glad we, Austenite’s, had the right to vote on the issue. The majority won. Now we can all breathe easier.