| Libertarian Party of NY -- Press Release -- Libertarian Candidate to Ignite Smoking Ban Opponents At Rally |
An electrical engineer and smoker, Bennett is challenging State Senator Thomas P. Morahan (R-C-38th SD). Bennett declares "A ban? In a free society, need I say more? The smoking ban, excessive taxes, and poor education all have one thing in common--a government out of control. Now is time for New Yorkers to say enough is enough."
Bennett is emphasizing taxes, education, eminent domain and the smoking ban. His runningmates are Michael Badnarik for President and Donald Silberger for US Senator. Libertarians are gathering signatures to qualify candidates for the ballot.
Bennett asserts that "Government should act rationally and truthfully. Instead, it promotes flawed arguments designed to appeal to emotions instead of intellect. It uses deception, garnering support for a so-called worker protection law by appealing to the public and hiding the fact that this law throws hundreds of thousands of smokers out into the cold and rain. All this after establishments created separately ventilated smoking rooms. We treat cats and dogs better than that."
Libertarian State Vice-Chair Richard Cooper maintains that "We Libertarians are pro-choice on smoking. Who should decide whether there should be smoking in bars and restaurants? We say the property owner, not politicians or bureaucrats. The U.S. Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, has said he would support banning all tobacco products. The handwriting is on the wall for Americans who cherish freedom and personal responsibility, not just smoking." Libertarian State Chair John Clifton, a nonsmoking former drug counselor, says "The statewide ban on smoking is a blow to free choice for all New Yorkers."
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