[Your Nightmare]

No, you didn't hit a sore spot, you just made a stupid statement with no reason or logic behind it and brought this "discussion" down a couple of levels.

The end of all this is: if you want to smoke at a restaurant, don't choose to go to NYC. You can choose to go to another city. The rest of us will be enjoying our fine meals that we can actually taste.

[I'm_With_Orwell]

if you want to smoke at a restaurant, don't choose to go to NYC.

You talk like a card-carrying democrat. What gives you the right to speak for all NY'ers? Over 25% of adult NY'ers smoke. Do you think they agree with you?

Perhaps you missed the bit where the primary distinction between a democrat and a Republican is that democrats believe in the ability of the Gubmint and the majority to override the minority, whereas Republicans believe in individuals and their property rights, even if they are in the minority.

Perhaps you missed the distinction between a "republic" and a "democracy". The philosophy doesn't just apply to countries, it applies to interactions between individuals, as well.

Take a loonnggg hard look at yourself and your values. You are not a Republican. I believe SheLion would call you a RINO, and I believe she would be spot on!