Only in your eyes and those others who refuse to exercise that courtesy in public.
" Governments were NOT instituted among men to legislate "courtesy"."
Really. And, could you provide a valid reference as to why governments were instituted?
" I say (yet again), what would be wrong with having smoking AND non-smoking establishments with the sole decisions being left with the property OWNERS?"
It comes under the heading of discrimination. Ask the blacks about this one. They shot down this idea long ago.
In a capitalistic society, the owners will, of course, make the decision that will either insure or increase their profit margin without any government interference being necessary. It is the foundation of a free land and to do otherwise (ie - mandating/outlawing by government) is the hallmark of Communism. What will you say when they come after something that you may hold dear if you say nothing now?"
Once again, I will mention OSHA, a federal agency with the oversight of private establishments to ensure health and safety requirements are met. Cigarette smoking is a health hazard. OSHA does not mention cigarette smoking, but the precedence has been set. You mean, what will I do when they come for my guns? That is a different subject. Guns are protected under the Constitution.
Are your REALLY this obtuse or are you just arguing for the sake of aruging? The US Constitution is NOT a list of "rights" of the individual (or of the states, for that matter). It is a SET limit on the powers of the GOVERNMENT! Try the 10th Amendment or, better yet, try reading Bastiat's The Law. It might help you to better understand why we have any "laws" to begin with (here's a hint: laws are NOT to protect the DESIRES/WISHES of the masses).
We hold these truths to be self-evident:
That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence
In a capitalistic society, the owners will, of course, make the decision that will either insure or increase their profit margin without any government interference being necessary. It is the foundation of a free land and to do otherwise (ie - mandating/outlawing by government) is the hallmark of Communism. What will you say when they come after something that you may hold dear if you say nothing now?"
Nice try! Keep stirring the pot, Meyers.
What you are advocating, that the government have the absolute power to regulate every aspect of your business is diametrically opposed to the intent of our Constitutional government was instituted. Blacks were 100% right to demand equal access to all government facilities, offices,schools and colleges and duties and rights.
But let's face facts: Blacks were denied all of these things by law, by the GOVERNMENT!
The government completely overstepped its' limits when they started calling everything except your house a "public accomadation" and more and more productive people of all ethnic and racial make-up are starting to come out of the ether on this.
If Loooie Farakkan or Barry Bonds wants to open a hotel or a bar that caters to black tourists or black baseball fans or I want to open a bar that caters to UFO abduction survivors or my black partner and I want to open a gin mill that caters to smokers, it is none of the gub'mints' business.