Quote:
Originally posted by Rox@May 1 2003, 01:12 PM
I've read the Constitution many, many times, and nowhere do I see anything that says Americans have the right not to be offended. I'm sick to death of having laws made just because people are fucking pussies who are afraid to speak up. If you don't like my cigarette smoke (for example), either ask me to move or put it out, or move yourself away from it. Don't write to your congressperson and push for more laws, for Chrissake.
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I , for one, would like to see less legislation and I agree with you in principle. Your cigarette smoke doesn't bother me and if it did, I'd just move. However, I also realize that it is WE THE PEOPLE and that some people may consider the harm from smoking to be greater than the principle of liberty itself. With a different history we may have illegal smoking but legal cocaine.
You can drink in your house but not while driving. You can smoke in your house but not in a restaurant in certain states.
If we are to appeal to the Constitution, however, it quite clearly states that those matters not specifically delegated to the US by the Constitution - or defined and interpreted by the US courts, are to be decided by the states. This is exactly what the system is now and exactly what the Constitution says. Laws regulating cigarette smoking are decided by the states.
I agree with the sentiment that there there should be as few laws regulating liberties as
possible. Every question of liberty is balanced, however, by issues such as public safety and national defense.