Freedom of Choice, and Responsibility

There in lies the keystone for my political musings, the axiom upon which all else is based. Each individual is responsible for the choices they make and the consequences they are going to bear because of those choices. Its is not the governments place nor mine to overtly regulate the happenings of a private man that do not inflict great harm onto the populace. However, under the guise of our best interests, the institution has made several forays into areas of personal choice to regulate society.

It is for this reason that many localities have seen fit to legislate businesses to be smoke free. The choice no longer rests with the proprietor, who should be allowed to weigh the success that his business will have against the choice to allow or disallow smoking. No, the government has found that it is in everyones best interest to ban smoking in his establishment for him. While the overarching goal has merit, a healthier society, that is not the purpose of government. Further, what of those that choose to smoke? Their actions, while not illegal, are being restricted without a solid basis.