Thursday, January 3, 2008

Virginia County Attacks Smokers, Diners, and Cars

New county exec wants to ban a host of fun activities

By Marc Kilmer

Categories: Virginia

Showing that all-too-typical desire of politicians to control all aspects of our lives, Arlington County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejeda announced plans to encourage restuarants to ban smoking and trans-fats. Thankfully Virgina does not allow counties the authority to ban such things but Tejeda vows to use his authority to urge business owners to obey his whims. He also wants to promote something he calls a "car free diet."

This type of "government knows best" thinking is becoming more and more common. As a Marylander I can usually look to our neighbors in Virginia for public policy that is more sensible than our own. If Tejeda's brand of leadership is a harbinger of things to come, though, Virginia liberty is in for a shellacking.