Letter with lawyer Mark Benjamins reply on top

Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 1:51 PM
Subject: RE: "Act Now"
Hi Christina --Thanks for your support. Log on to our website freedomtoact.com to get up to date reports. The site also has a list of legislators. We are encouraging everyone to write and call their state representative and senator and let them know how unfair and unjust the current ban is. Two days ago, identical bills were introduced in the House and Senate amending the smoking ban to allow veterans to smoke in their clubs and bar owners to install ventilation systems.Speak up and Act Now! Christina.-- Mark Benjamin
To: markbenjamin@msn.comSubject: "Act Now"From: cdecent@excite.comDate: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:36:25 -0400
I have been following the "Act Now" campaign daily. Finally! I'm tired of the government stepping on our liberties at an ever increasing rate. I sent a the following letter to the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health today expressing my views:I read in the Mesabi Daily News that you claim it is your responsibility to ensure that Minnesota bar owners and bar tenders provide a healthy environment for their patrons by enforcing the Freedom to Breath Act. Unless a patron is visiting a bar for a daily glass of red wine, he or she is not looking for a "healthy" experience. The taboo smokers face today is no less than that of persons who drink by those who never drink. I read a study during the "Big Tobacco" lawsuit that shows that about 40% of Minnesotans are smokers - barely a minority and surely enough to get a politician elected! All laws are not in the best interest of a free society (Prohibition, anyone?). Theater Night is a legitimate loophole left in a faulty Act that provides relief to both bar owners and smokers. Not legitimate? Tell that to all of us bar patrons in "North Country". Theater Night also increases state revenue through increases in liquor sales taxes and increased income tax paid by bar owners. In a time where the state is reaching into every pocket for more revenue, they should not be turning away these funds. Where do your salaries come from, anyway? Hopefully not from the liquor sales tax, cigarette tax, or income tax from smokers or bar owners.Although not required, I provided my name and email address in the spaces provided. Is there anything that we can do to continue to fight this intrusion on our rights by the Health Department? It is my understanding that only they can interpret the word "art" and issue fines to performers and bar owners. Many of us are willing unite in this cause! All we need is direction and leadership.Thank you for your ongoing support.Christina DeCentPO Box 772Gilbert, MN 55741cdecent@excite.com