Smoking Bans: But..But.. everyone else is doing it!
Madison - A statewide smoking ban would not apply to bars and restaurants for the first year, under a measure advanced Tuesday by a Senate committee.
The ban for other workplaces and public buildings would begin in January 2009, with bars and restaurants following in 2010, under the compromise.
The prospects for the measure are uncertain.
Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle said bars and restaurants should not get a special exemption. A statewide smoking ban is a top priority of Doyle’s.
Doyle spokesman Matt Canter said the governor supports a statewide ban without exemptions.
“Close to half the states in the nation are moving toward smoke-free public places,” said Canter, who noted that statewide bans have become law in neighboring Minnesota and Illinois.
“The Legislature should act so that Wisconsin does not become the ashtray of the Midwest,” Canter said.
Heh. The “ashtray of the Midwest”? Nice line. No problem being the tax hell of the Midwest, but ashtrays… no thanks.
Let’s look at this line:
“Close to half the states in the nation are moving toward smoke-free public places,” said Canter
What a moronic statement. Close to half? That means MORE than half aren’t. Why should we be in the minority? What makes that a great idea?
But.. okay, I’m willing to work with them on this, if that’s going to be the standard.
More than 3/4 of the states pay less in taxes than we do in Wisconsin. That’s not even close to half, so using their logic, shouldn’t the guv be pushing for lower taxes?
96% of other states allow some type of concealed carry. Using their logic, without question since it’s WAY more than half, the guv should be pushing for CC legislation. I mean, we don’t wan’t to be the sitting ducks of the Midwest now do we?
We could go on and on with this…. 80% of other states have a death penalty. About 87% of the states require you to register to vote before election day. If we are going to do something because “close to half” of other states are doing it, let’s do it right.