20
Aug
2008
Regardless
of your opinion on Iowa's smoking ban, some of the temporary
administrative rules - such as the distinction between bars and
restaurants - go beyond the intent of the law. As the end to the
commenting period approaches, the Iowa Department of Public Health
(IDPH), which is in charge of making and changing the rules, needs to
be more reasonable.
As
an object lesson to the political pragmatists of the United States -
those "practical" advocates of "democracy" who see no role
for principles in government, just "majority rule" - one need
only pause and consider the recent events in Venezuela to realize the
profound impact principles actually do have on human affairs.
If
there's one thing the United States stands for, it's unfettered
free speech. It is vital to a functioning democracy. Unfortunately,
the increasing use by government and law-enforcement officials of
"free speech zones" and other stifling tactics to purge dissent
has largely undermined the First Amendment's safeguards for
political free speech.
