Feel free to disagree with me, but I feel that the country is sliding, very quickly, into a man-made safety net. Germ-phobia, politcally correctness, spanking, smoking, drugs, drinking, I think this is all going a bit too far!

For thousands of years, our ancestors have lived with germs, smoked tobacco or other herbs and spices, made alcohol and drank it, displined their children and spoke their minds about what was important to them without fear of censure (after the Constitution was drafted). So why now are we regressing? The freedom of speech gives me the right to say what I like without fear of reprisal. It is my RIGHT to offend you. You don't have to agree with me, you don't have to listen to me. But I am allowed to speak freely. On the same point, I have the right to bear arms. It doesn't bother me if you don't like guns or disagree with my beliefs, but I have that RIGHT.

Smoking and drinking follow the same line of thought. I have the right to do to my body what I like provided I am not harming others. Should I choose to smoke, I should be free to do so. I understand that non-smokers do not want to be exposed to that habit. Kudos for them. However, smokers should not be ostracized from public areas. Let smokers and drinkers mingle in the bar- its half the fun anyways! Keep smoking out of restaurants except maybe outside (I live in ND, this is NOT an option for us in the winter). Other citizens have the choice to avoid smoky bars and haze riddled areas. And I have a RIGHT to live freely, without censure and the choice to smoke or to not smoke. Same with alcohol. Keep the location sensible and away from places that will place you in danger and enjoy as desired. Smoke and drink at the bar or at home. No drinking and driving. Thats the law for other people's protection and safety. But outside of the public arena, I feel people have the RIGHT to choose, if they so desire, to smoke and/or drink.

Granted, these addictions have health consequences. But if its my body, I should be able to choose what goes in and deal with the results. Keep citizens educated on the risks involved and let us CHOOSE for ourselves! All of this mamby-pamby safety net, ban anything that is bad for you or may offend someone else is slowly stripping our freedom of expression, speech, and the ability to live as we like. This country was built on strong principles and a great document called the Constitution. It gives citizens the right to live freely and choose their paths rather than letting mainstream society dicate lives. Other opinions are voiced and welcomed for the sake of freedom. I'll respect your RIGHT to say what you like, that doesn't mean I have to believe it or live it. And that my friends is the power of choice.