Smoking in France a thing of the past?

[Alex]

So? I missed the constitutional right to restaurant dining.

I agree with you all. I much, much prefer smoke free restaurants, stores, and bars. I also prefer bars that don't play music intrusively. So I don't go to many bars.


But, even if it sucks for me, I don't see how a risk I can choose to avoid puts a burden not another person to not create it.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Alex

And I'm surprised by how many people are saying "I'm generally libertarian except when the intrusion suits me personally." That's not libertarianism, that's just being cantankerous and disagreeable so that not a lot of things suit you.

"Libertarianism" is an absolute, which I'd define as absolutely no government involvement past the exact delineation of the constitution. (It's been a few years since I've read any literature, so let me know if I'm off.)

I don't see the world in black and white. I see the benefits of certain meddling. I see the reasons to have certain types of trade agreements with other countries, or have free health clinics for poor people, or have laws about decorum in public. I have my own opinions as to which meddling is ok, and not surprisingly, some of those opinions are self-serving.

Wouldn't a REAL libertarian be against public libraries? Why should I pay taxes so a homeless guy can have internet access?

I have no problem saying "I'm mostly Libertarian, but..."