Here goes a rambling post with no particular thought behind it.
I read in the paper this morning that Indiana has passed a bill forbidding smoking in public places but excluding some bars and gambling casinos. They figure it would be bad for business if frequenters couldn't smoke.

I'm wondering if the real reason isn't hurt business, but loss of state revenue. I mean Indiana is big on the lottery and other scratch-off games. We're a state of dunderheads-- heavy smokers, heavy drinkers, heavy gamblers, heavy sizes. We rank near the bottom of college graduates. As conservative as we are, it's truly amazing we went blue for Obama.
Comparatively speaking, I come off as a left-wing liberal, especially in my area. I'm not in any of the aforementioned "heavy" categories. And yes, I've been called a tree hugger. I'm not a Christian either. So in many respects, I'm denigrated, if not despised. At least I don't get hate mail or vandalized (house break-in doesn't count).
Believe it or not, I truly have some conservative ideas and concerns. For example, I don't believe in total gun control. Nor do I think smoking should be banned from restaurants. Go somewhere else if it bothers you (and it does me). Part of the government's stimulus program irks me, like the bailing out of hurting casinos. Even GM, Chrysler, etc. The term evolution comes to mind, in the sense that change happens. If a company goes down, it's their own damn fault. Survival of the fittest, and all that.

And if people are stupid enough to spend their money on high priced items--from blackberries to cars--or on unnecessary cigarettes, beer, and potato chips, well, that's our open economy at its best. We shouldn't be forced or feel obligated to buy things we don't want or need. And the government shouldn't be subsidizing bad businesses. Again, evolution--natural selection--takes its own course.

See, I told you this would be rambling. But I feel better!