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You said: Private property no longer exists!

Vote Kerry, let's take the plunge and just declare the Republic dead. Let's just admit that we are a socialist country!

I agree on the private property issue, but I am not sure these smoking bans constitute socialism. For the record, I am a non-smoker in a tobacco town (Winston-Salem, NC). My mother died at 43 as a result of her smoking habit, but she enjoyed it, and it was her call. She knew the risks, and took them. I am sorry she is gone, but we make choices in life. All that being said, I am split on the issue of smoking bans, at least in places where one almost has to go from time to time: banks, malls, post offices, etc. Restaurants are different, the market should control. I don't really care for the smell of smoking (although I occasionally find it somewhat pleasant, but usually not). I do enjoy observing smoking habits though, from an olfactorily safe distance, especially the smoking techniques of attractive women. I guess I am a whacko. My sister smokes, and I found it noteworthy that on her grocery lists cigarettes were ALWAYS at the top, before bread and milk even. I think this suggests the grip that smoking has on many people's lives. I wonder what the breakdown is of smokers as between those who smoke because they enjoy it and those who smoke because they can't quit. Either way, they should be accommodated, but not at the expense (and I don't buy the second hand smoke scare for a minute, I just find it unpleasant to be around) of those who prefer not to have to smell the stuff. Sorry for the rant....

I appreciate you post as a whole, however some of it shows that the propoganda machine has been successful. I won't bother addressing those points, due to the fact that as a whole we are on the same side.

However, to address your specific question as to how the smoking issue constituting socialism I submit that anytime private property is removed from existence, socialism is the system that has prevailed. By eliminating the choice of the property owner to allow a legal activity to occur on his property, we have confiscated the use of that property. By this blatent disregard for private property, we have lost personal liberty. The great Walter Williams has a wonderful essay that shows that personal liberty and freedom is not possible without private property rights.

By taxing only half of the population to fund the "desires" of the other half of the population, we are socialistic. Currently, a percentage point shift in the wrong direction and we will be taxing less than half of the adult citizens.

Hence, vote Kerry! From each according to his ability, to each according to his need!