OH, I suppose the state of the economy has nothing to do with this???

Geeze Josh didn't you know ?¿ Only pool halls are closing down. lol

Changing the presidency is going to prevent a business from going under?

Maybe someone should look at the business models and determine whether the models were sound, but of course, that would mean that one would apply logic rather than blame.

I think Dean is just talking about the smoking ban, which was proposed by the Minnesota legislature. But then again, he could be talking about the Republican economic stimulus package. I don't know. But the way you vote does affect businesses regardless of their business model.

Exactly Martin – The President had nothing to do with the smoking ban in MN, CA or NY. It’s the politicians throughout the states in every level of government.

Ask Eddie, Doc or Ken what put them out of business and I have no doubt they will all agree it was the smoking ban. When it passed in CA and NY the same thing happened. Billiard rooms that had been in business 25 years went under. It had nothing to do with their business model. The ban hit the billiard industry harder than most due to several factors.

These facts from the USA Today, July 11, 2006:

Tobacco is expected to kill 1 billion people this century - 10 times the toll it took in the 20th century.

Tobacco accounts for 1 in five cancer deaths 1.4 million death worldwide each year.

Add cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and the yearly death toll rises to 5 million.

Its estimated 1.25 Billion men and women smoke cigarettes and more than half of them will die from the habit.

So...... if a few business go out of business whats the big deal? There are many more business that continue to survive.

So voting Republican will keep Whiskey Rack as a Pool Hall rather than a Fine Dining Establishment.

BOY..... to blame game is easier than looking at who's running these businesses..... or how they run them?

Yes, who you elect does impact taxes, goverment programs and how the world views the United States by its actions but I would challenege anyone to show me how a national election has negatively affected a business.

As for the cigarette ban indoors.... well, I guess we'd have to look at the BILLIONS upon BILLIONS of dollars spent in healthcare taking care of those who choose to smoke and those effected by second hand smoke.

Businesses knew this was coming. The smart ones, did something to adjust and anticipate. The others, just blame.........................

A voting citizen and pool player!

Lets not forget where those billions and billions of dollars come from? Smokers pay a lot of taxes

Do you truly think that what the smokers are paying for even comes close to the actual cost of care?

And what percentage of smokers quit because they can't smoke in a pool room? Do you honestly believe than ban is about health???? Probably nothing to do with federal funding for those states that do have a smokin ban....

why not have an eating ban for the billions spent on obesity ?

one thing about smoking...it generally kills people quickly when diagnosed, obesity health factors go on for years and years and cost even more

But at least over-eaters only hurt themselves. Smokers share their smoke with others, including non-smokers.

Like I said before, your car exhaust is killing me, so lets get rid of vehicles huh?

What's next, an alcohol ban because of drunk drivers and the violence drinking can bring out in people? I usually can't stand talking to a drunk with beer breath in my personal space. It's not healthy for them, and not safe for others sharing the road, or around them when a fight breaks out.

I don't personally drink but I wouldn't support a ban on drinking in bars. It's my choice if I go into an establishment that has drinking. I don't want the government to limit my options (as what is happening now, more evident now that more places are closing).

Leave the decision to the business owners and customers. If a customer doesn't want to breathe smoke, they can go to a non-smoking business. A business owner was free to cater to non-smokers if they wished. With the smoking ban enacted by a mix of DFL/R and a Republican governor, this decision was forced onto the owners, with no recourse. The business models were adjusted artificially with external stimulus.

A pool hall has traditionally been full of vices, smoking included. It's sad that our freedom is being taken away in the guise of safety. The smoking ban isn't the first, and won't be the last restriction on our personal and economic freedoms.

Welcome to the new America. Only here can a socialist government come into existence, not for the workers and middle/lower class, but to bail out the rich elite. If we are going to be socialist, at least the common man and woman should benefit.

Vote third party (at least on local/state). It's the only way.

Yes yes yes, I'm getting off my soapbox now.

That's a great idea Kenny !!!! With no cars, I'd get to work from home every day and go out for a smoke when I want !! Brilliant !!!!! I will need a horse though... unless some anonymous people have a problem with horses too... ??

Matt - I have a few questions and if you can answer these, then I think that I will understand your point of view on smoking. Right now as a non-smoker, it is difficult for me to understand the big issue about people thinking that it should be right and not controlled.

A lot of people do drugs. Would it be all right for people to do that in public?

Should the government be allowed to make the decision for making people send their kids to school and make sure they finish school?

Should we make people register for guns?

Should businesses be allowed to pollute water?

If you can give me a good reason why the government should not control these things, then I will probably understand your point of view.

I am sure I can think of a lot more. To me, these are all rules to protect people that make sense to me. But, the way I see it is that if you defend the issue on allowing people to smoke, then there shouldn't be any rules at all because someone is going to feel like their rights are taken away no matter what rule is implemented.

I shouldn't have to go somewhere else just because I don't have to worry about getting cancer. I have an aunt and uncle that have died in the last few years and I do believe it is because they were heavy smokers. One died of cancer and one died of lukemia. I don't wish what they had to go through on anyone and to the one comment about you will go quick. What would you call quick because my family had to watch them suffer for a long time.

Boy, did this post switch directions...no matter what your political choice, it's important to get out and vote. Lots of spinning going on out there.....hard to tell what the truth is between parties.

However, I think Obama is going to end up winning, unless he really does something stupido.

Hopefully things will turn around, in the last year or so, I've lost my kids college education, much of my retirement, in fact, probably won't be able to retire totally, will retire from 3M to go to another job.....not my original dreams or plans.

I agree with June and I was a smoker. People should not be subjected to second hand smoke anymore than bad water or anything that can hurt your health.

Anyway, get out and vote and hope everything turns around, I'm scared for our children....

Maybe they should have opened a few non-smoking bars since so many people don't like the smoke. Everyone knows smoking and second hand smoke is bad for you. If it is so bad, why doesn't the government just ban smoking all together? It's not like the federal government makes billions of dollars a year from cigarette taxes.

The goverment collects the taxes yes, but turns around and pays the subsidies to the tobacco farmers. I don't truly believe that the "goverment" is making "billions" on collected taxes.

After the fiasco of this past 2 weeks, it truly be best if ALL of the incumbents lost and new blood was brought into the disaster.... then maybe our kids will have a chance.

June,

On your question about people being allowed to do drugs in public? First, I don't do drugs but I say legalize drugs and sell them at a drug store, this would generate more taxes, it would take drug dealers off the streets as there would be no reason to go to them, maybe some violence would decrease as you wouldn't have gang members killing each other over whose corner is whose. But just as it's illegal to walk down a public street with a beer it would be illegal to shoot up on the street.

I watched my mom die from lung cancer when she was 57, got diagnosed on Feb 26 and died May 4, that was 15 years ago, some go quick and some don't but either way if you have ever watched a person die that way and you smoke and have kids then you would quit so they don't have to see what you've seen. I have never smoked and never will even though both my parents did, I don't agree with the smoking ban. I have been on dart or pool league team since I was 21 and have made the choice to be around second hand smoke. When the ban first started a lot of businesses made changes and added patios or put up a wall of some kind to seperate the bar from the eating area, why that wasn't enough I don't know. But like Matt was saying we are loosing more and more freedoms all the time, like having to wear a seatbelt, and I'm sure having to wear a helmet on a motorcycle will be back any day now also.

As for politicians their all crooks so pick your poisen and if your guy gets elected let me know in 2 years if he's done what you thought he would?

Hi June,

To answer your questions:

Drugs in public: I see no difference between alcohol and smoking. Both are dangerous substances, both are regulated to adults, but both are legal. If tobacco was made completely illegal like marijuana, then I could see the basis for a ban. (I don't agree with banning either one)

Government/school: I do believe homeschooling should be an option, but there should be generic ground rules on curriculum.

Guns: I don't mind registering guns, but the 2nd Amendment should be upheld.

Business polluting water: Pollution should be regulated. When making an analogy of smoking restrictions to environmental controls of water resources, it is important to differentiate. The public does not have a choice of which aquifer to obtain their drinking water from, but they do have a choice of going into a private establishment.

I do not have a problem with smoking bans in truly public places like libraries, courthouses, parks, ect.

If there is such a market, then some business could have gone smoke-free voluntarily, except now the government is intervening unnecessarily. Several restaurants did go smoke-free on their own before the ban.

As far as loved ones harmed from cancer, I have gone through this as well. I have also had those close to me die from alcohol-related deaths, as well as others having their livelihood ruined with alcoholism, but I'm not calling for a ban on drinking alcohol. I personally would like a ban on drinking in public, so I don't have to deal with it, but there is NO WAY I would support the government actually banning it.

Jannene Obamma u r kidding!! Look to the partisan held congress and you will see the cause to most of our problems today. We as voters get lax, dig into the facts about your local and state representatives and you will find many answers to your shrinking 401 K and lost support for education.

I didn't say I was for or against Obama, just stated the fact that he is in the lead and all indicators are pointing to the fact he will be the next president.

I will not state my political preference and get in an argument on this board. My point was to try to get everyone out to vote.

So settle down. I think both groups are culpable in the mess we have....one maybe a little more than others.

Just for you left wing democrates it must be your goal to be the highest taxed state in the nation.Right now we are third in the nation Lets go out and vote for the mesiah OABAMMY AND THE IDIOT AL FRANKIN. mAYBE WE CAN BE NUMBER ONE IN TNE NATION IN TAXES YEAH...... KEEP IT UP DEMOCRATES. if OBAMMY WINS GOD HELP US

Funny... search as I may, I can not find any hard stats or proof on how many people have gotten sick and or died from second hand smoke...I also do not remember seeing an obit that listed a cause of death as second hand smoke.
Unless something is illegal, like drugs, i do not think it should have been banned. Pandora's box was open already. If anything, I think if the politicians would have slowed down and gave it some more thought, they should have attached the issue to the liquor license.
That way each city would have so many smoking and so many non-smoking licenses and charged a premium for the ones that allowed smoking. That would allow our free market system to let the people decide and give us CHOICE! I truly feel sorry for all the businesses that have suffered. Have you been to Prescott or Hudson latley? All Minnesota plates at the establishments. Meanwhile Stillwater is turning in to an arts and crafts shop. I do not think there is a pool table left in town.

So what about the people that want to play pool in a smoke free establishment?? "Fresh Air." Wow, what a terrible concept. And to think the billions of dollars that have been waisted on second hand smoke research when all they had to do was ask you.

Well in all fairness there were no smoke free pool halls. Period. Why? Because the smoke free public did not support them. Period. I don't smoke and would have been the first person to open a smoke free pool room but I would have lost my butt. Until now, when I am FORCED to operate a smoke free business at 30% less businsess. Smokers stay home and enjoy their constiutional rights.

Didn't we win our independance from England because of leafy American grown crops? Tobacco and Tea?

It's not about whats harmful because the most harmful thing is losing our rights and freedom.

Big Brother is not just a reality TV show it's a reality Brother.

Power to the People!!

The reason smoking is legal, is because the goverment does not want to lose the tax money. 11 cents a smoke now I believe.
If they are so concerned about peoples health, then they would make it illegal to smoke period. However,they let little peons in office put us in corners, alleys, on sidewalks, and out of the way, to make left winger non smokers happy and keep collecting that 11 cents a smoke.

These facts from the USA Today, July 11, 2006:

Tobacco is expected to kill 1 billion people this century - 10 times the toll it took in the 20th century.

Tobacco accounts for 1 in five cancer deaths 1.4 million death worldwide each year.

Add cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and the yearly death toll rises to 5 million.

Its estimated 1.25 Billion men and women smoke cigarettes and more than half of them will die from the habit.

Facts from a newspaper? rofl

What facts does USA Today have for deaths related to second hand smoke? If we're throwing out facts we should have all of them.

If 1 out of 5 Cancer deaths are related to tobacco, what's behind the other 4 out of 5 Cancer deaths cause maybe we should look at banning something else from the Public, certain foods or maybe cell phones, whats next? How many times do we hear, "we now believe this may cause Cancer"

Most smokers are already aware of the fact that smoking is going to affect their health and may cause their death

Hey kenny how's lisa doing

She doing good, although she broke 2 of the 3 bones holding her foot to her leg about a month ago. Everything else is hunky dori