Lemmings

The nation's capital has, sadly, followed in Madison's steps and passed an anti-business smoking ban. According to the Washington Post, Anthony Williams, the city's mayor, is debating a veto of the ordinance (which would be well advised), though it may be moot since the bill passed overwhelmingly and is likely, ergo, to withstand a veto.

To be sure, this is a horrific mistake on the part of Washington, DC lawmakers. And yet they seem to somehow be less misguided in nature than the Madison Common Council.

The DC ban allows for cigar bars and has a hardship exemption – both noble attempts at limiting the fiscal hemorrhaging that will doubtlessly ensue. Madison, of course, was all too happy to see its cigar bars go under while allowing local business owners to watch their bars and restaurants flounder.

While it is altogether sad that there appears to be a growing trend amongst some of America's more paternal cities and counties to hold business owners' hands whilst guiding them into the jaws of financial – and libertarian – despair, it is at least somewhat heartening (a silver lining, if you will) to see that so many have at least the minimal level of competence to provide the necessary exemptions blocking total economic catastrophe.

Why the city of Madison lacks this fundamental intellect is simply beyond understanding. But the common council would do well to get its act together and at least take the first couple of steps toward curbing this assault on freedom and small business. It is time to revisit the cigar bar exemption, hardship exemptions, sole proprietorship exemption, the allowing of chewing tobacco and, in the off chance the city's alders might enroll in Economics 101 and stumble across a marginally passing grade, a total repeal of the horrific ordinance.