Mike, as I know you're allergic to smoke and Linda takes the puff on occasion, I'd like to open a thread to discuss a social absurdity.
Smoke and mirrors. We know the term. On July 1st Colorado followed California again like a neurotic calf following a cow and enacted a smoking ban. Already, the news yesterday revealed the flaws in the law.
First, there is the group that wants to extend this smoking ban (no smoking in any public facility indoors, save for casinos and the smoking lounge at DIA) to no smoking in public!
Second, the Colorado economy expects a multi-million dollar hit (loss) of huge amounts of funds generated by tobacco taxes. This loss will mean lack of funding to cancer and lung treatments - and a general loss to the general fund directed for medical care. They just found out that the millions of dollars per annum are paid by smokers, not general taxes.
Third, this ban affects BARS. Right, facilities in business primarily to sell alcohol. Therefore one bad drug (booze) is legal, another bad drug (tobacco) is illegal. Not only are we now another target for Irish comedians, but the absurdity is now glaringly apparent.
Fourth. The City of Denver rescinded a law against marijuana possession for personal use, making less than an ounce legal. However, this did not make Denver a Mecca for potheads, the police simply began to enforce State and Federal laws (with multi-decade incarceration as penalty as opposed to a small fine, around $100). Even so, theoretically one could smoke a joint and have a drink in a bar, but if one lit up a cigarette the bar could be shut down for - get this - "health violations".
Fifth. California found that the restaurants and bars most affected were those of private ownership. In other words, McDonalds thrived with no change in policy, but private cafes, lunchrooms and bars quickly shut down due to lack of business.
Sixth. The most common violation of any law in Colorado is Drinking While Intoxicated (DWI). Two years ago the blood alcohol limit was lowered from 0.10 to 0.08. Therefore, people who refuse to drink only infacilities because they cannot smoke and be comfortable with their drugs are going to drink and smoke where they can. Like, in their vehicles doing 70mph.
Seventh (last). Not one penny of California taxes from tobacco, intended for education support, ever went to the children. Every penny went into the General Fund and vanished into the massive debt California was amassing. Colorado is in the exact same economic circumstance. Therefore, any time a politician says "It's for the children" the true translation of this statement is "We are going to steal this money." And the lemmings follow, all starry-eyed, their entire medical education gleaned from 15-second sound bytes from the "news".
Oh, the humanity! All this is so wrong in so many ways I despair!
Comments and critique, please!
Smoke and mirrors. We know the term. On July 1st Colorado followed California again like a neurotic calf following a cow and enacted a smoking ban. Already, the news yesterday revealed the flaws in the law.
First, there is the group that wants to extend this smoking ban (no smoking in any public facility indoors, save for casinos and the smoking lounge at DIA) to no smoking in public!
Second, the Colorado economy expects a multi-million dollar hit (loss) of huge amounts of funds generated by tobacco taxes. This loss will mean lack of funding to cancer and lung treatments - and a general loss to the general fund directed for medical care. They just found out that the millions of dollars per annum are paid by smokers, not general taxes.
Third, this ban affects BARS. Right, facilities in business primarily to sell alcohol. Therefore one bad drug (booze) is legal, another bad drug (tobacco) is illegal. Not only are we now another target for Irish comedians, but the absurdity is now glaringly apparent.
Fourth. The City of Denver rescinded a law against marijuana possession for personal use, making less than an ounce legal. However, this did not make Denver a Mecca for potheads, the police simply began to enforce State and Federal laws (with multi-decade incarceration as penalty as opposed to a small fine, around $100). Even so, theoretically one could smoke a joint and have a drink in a bar, but if one lit up a cigarette the bar could be shut down for - get this - "health violations".
Fifth. California found that the restaurants and bars most affected were those of private ownership. In other words, McDonalds thrived with no change in policy, but private cafes, lunchrooms and bars quickly shut down due to lack of business.
Sixth. The most common violation of any law in Colorado is Drinking While Intoxicated (DWI). Two years ago the blood alcohol limit was lowered from 0.10 to 0.08. Therefore, people who refuse to drink only infacilities because they cannot smoke and be comfortable with their drugs are going to drink and smoke where they can. Like, in their vehicles doing 70mph.
Seventh (last). Not one penny of California taxes from tobacco, intended for education support, ever went to the children. Every penny went into the General Fund and vanished into the massive debt California was amassing. Colorado is in the exact same economic circumstance. Therefore, any time a politician says "It's for the children" the true translation of this statement is "We are going to steal this money." And the lemmings follow, all starry-eyed, their entire medical education gleaned from 15-second sound bytes from the "news".
Oh, the humanity! All this is so wrong in so many ways I despair!
Comments and critique, please!
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