What We Can Do To Fight For Our Freedoms

•Write – Bitch and Educate

So simple, yet really the only way for us average citizens to educate and change legislator minds.

Now it certainly won’t hurt to write the Guilty individuals that I’ve cited above, as some of them I’m sure are still a bit apprehensive in legislating our freedoms away or imposing a tax increase, but more important is to write those that are NOT listed above – they are the ones that are uncommitted and might be our only hope of preserving our freedoms.

Certainly, you should write your own representatives - and frequently. Expand that to include the key legislators. Might I also suggest you set aside a day, gather up a hefty list of legislators to write to and write them all en masse. The more we write, the more we have an impact.

But you must do it intelligently:

1)Write, literally – DON’T email or fax. Believe it or not they will read letters, as they are a rare commodity these days and letters just scream that someone took time and patience to do it.

2)Communicate, succinctly and loudly but politely, the fraud that is the belief that second hand smoke is “dangerous” – it’s NOT. Provide an explanation why and possibly give them source citations so they can check it themselves.  The “risk” upon which a ban is justified does not exist, therefore the ban is NOT justified. Let them know, like the media has not, exactly how much in taxes smokers already pay. All the information you need is HERE and HERE.

3)Close by drawing it all together – satisfying this special-interest fraud does not justify the sacrifice of individual and private property freedom. Increasing the tax burden on a minority, when this minority is already soaked is patently unjust.

Listen: Many of the legislatures, like most everyday citizens, take media-reported studies at face value – they do NOT think critically about how absurd the conclusions are, let alone do the research and realize the fraud and conspiracy behind them. HOWEVER, if even a moderate number of individuals begin sending letters telling them of this, they will give it a more critical look and perhaps change their positions.

This is where you can find a comprehensive list of our SC Legislators and the address to use for them:

SC website          http://www.scstatehouse.net/index.html

House

Senate

Governor

•Get them out of office

This is where the above lists of the Guilty come in handy. If any of these guilty are from your district, you or someone you know might have the opportunity to unseat them.

Yes, I’m serious. There is nothing particularly special or powerful about most of these people in state office. Hell, I’d posit that you, having found this website and understand what’s written here, are probably more educated than most of the legislative body. All running for office requires is someone with the drive and some resources to run - Hell, much more than half of our state races were unopposed races for the past couple of decades.

Herein is the issue of difference – You support private property freedom and KNOW that the second hand smoke issue is a fraud. You do not support any tax increase, including those that target a beleaguered minority. Now denounce the “Guilty” legislators for the uninformed nanny-state wretches that they are and take their seat. Remember, a legislator’s support of smoking bans and tax increases is merely a glimpse of the general disrespect he or she holds for individual liberties.

There are two important things to know about state races. The filing period is a two week period approximately 2-3 months before the Primaries and approximately 7-8 months before the General Election - this is when you need to declare candidacy to have your name on the ballot. And, the Primary races are often the true races - candidates from the same party battle it out to be the nominee for the general election, but often there is no opposing party candidate in many races. Many elections are decided during the primaries, as the victor of the primaries go unopposed in the General Election.

Of course, for the rest of us schmos, just vote against the Guilty in the 2008 elections, BOTH the Primaries and the General – and persuade everyone you know to do so as well. And if your district has no contested races, then  by all means write in a candidate - it is your right and it will send a message.

For More, Click here to the SC Election Page

•For Businesses/Organizations/People of Means

Sue Effectively

This is addressed to all restaurant/bar owners, business organizations or individuals with the means planning a lawsuit against a smoking ban. Do NOT file solely on grounds of private property freedoms and private business freedom and NEVER on grounds of an “unequal playing field”. There is only one debate you should be making in the courts: That second hand smoke has NOT been proven to be at all hazardous.

Click Here for more detailed information regarding Lawsuits

•Businesses, Let thyself be known!!

Our local media, especially newsprint, are pushing anti-smoke as much as they can. This includes organized and free advertising for any business that is completely smoke-free, but not so for smoking allowed businesses. From not including a corresponding smoking-allowed restaurant database, to not mentioning in reviews the smoking policies of restaurants, they try their damnedest to make smokers feel they have no options and to punish businesses that might accommodate them.

Do you want business from smokers? Do you want to continue to set your own smoking policies or do you want the impression that everyone wants it so why not ban it altogether? Then, for heaven’s sake, let it be known that we are welcome there! In your advertisements, declare that your business welcomes both smokers and non-smokers. When the media reviews you, insist and demand that they mention you allow smoking and where. Smokers will stick with where they know they are welcome - they will NOT venture into your place unless they KNOW they are welcome. As much as the media hype the theory that all non-smokers wish to only go to completely smoke-free places, you’d be surprised how untrue that is - don’t be afraid to say, loudly, we accommodate ALL people.