About Us
Ban the Ban Wisconsin was started by two concerned citizens - a smoker and a non-smoker - who strongly oppose a statewide smoking ban on privately-owned property and fiercely stand against the discrimination and insidious harassment of smokers in the state of Wisconsin, this great country and throughout the world.
We're completely grassroots and our only motivating factor is the preservation of rights, lifestyle and choice. While we're a tiny organization that primarily deals with Wisconsin, our reach is global as we have contacts and affiliations with similar groups across the world.
Mission Statement
Our primary goal is to help protect the basic rights of Wisconsin residents and business owners, preserve the economic viability of rural and out-state communities and help maintain lifestyle choices. While our principle efforts are focused on Wisconsin, our work extends globally.
Our mission is to neither encourage nor discourage smoking; rather, we advocate for the individual’s right to choose based on facts and the truth, without government interference, oppressive legislation, special interest pressure or berating harassment from others.
We hope to encourage a healthy debate that fosters free-thought by offering valid arguments and alternatives to excessive legislation and social denormalization where smokers and tobacco are concerned.
Here's a rough draft of our organization's principle foundations
Our Organization
Ban the Ban Wisconsin, Inc. is currently incorporated as a not for profit organization in the state of Wisconsin and is awaiting 501(c)(3) status from the US Internal Revenue Service.
“Concerned Citizens”
Ryan Evans:
There are those who contribute to the foundations of liberty and freedom, and there are those who strive to take it away. There was a day that I raised my right hand and vowed to protect this country and what it stands for, and that is something that I will never regret nor put aside. I will always fight for what is right and work to hold back those who take from us those things that we value.
I'm not going to lie about the fact that I am a non-smoker in the traditional sense, but I do have a deep love of tobacco. I smoke a pipe from time to time, I enjoy a good cigar and a pinch of snuff (no, not chew!) on occasion is quite enjoyable. However, I'm a tobacco user who would never tell you not to try that first taste of tobacco because I have no shame about my enjoyment. I made that choice for myself and will fight tooth and nail to ensure that everybody else is afforded that same right. I didn’t selflessly fight for your liberty only to have your rights taken from you - so while some may fight for smoking, I fight for your right to choose. After all, what does it mean to be an American if you can't even choose your own path in life?
I believe in science and fact and don’t believe that a fair argument can be made by cherry picking through the data. Is smoking healthy? Not a chance, but neither are a lot of things that aren’t so universally hated (or misconstrued). You want to know my opinion on smoke? The poison is in the dose, just like anything else. After all, let's not forget that drinking too much water can be fatal.
I am just a simple guy who has chosen to take on a monumental task here in Wisconsin. What does that say about me? Glutton for punishment? Crazy? Passionate? A believer? Maybe it’s better if you decide for yourself. But I can tell you this much: It’s better to have me on your side than against you.
Joey Monson:
I’m a smoker who would never tell anyone to start or quit smoking.
I believe in choice, and in the freedom to decide what risks you will or will not take while you’re alive on this earth.
I believe in a government that doesn’t intrude into the personal lives of those they govern, but rather protects the freedom of the people to choose their own paths.
I believe in private property rights, and the right for a business owner (or any property owner) to allow wholly legal acts on their property.
I believe that people are intelligent enough to understand risks, and make informed decisions based upon the information provided.
I believe that Wisconsin’s taverns are something worth saving, and that they are a part of our culture and heritage.
I believe that if I have the right to assume risk when I light up a cigarette, everyone else has the right to assume risk when they walk into a smoking establishment.
I believe that the state of Wisconsin extends far beyond Madison and Milwaukee. The more rural and outlying areas of our great state deserve to be considered, and their voice should be heard.
I believe that Governor Doyle, the State Legislature, and especially the media, are ignoring the economic impact that a smoking ban will have on small business owners, and are refusing to address the other side of this issue so as to simply push the ban through.
Jennifer Reisinger
For me, this isn't about whether I smoke or don't smoke. I am pro freedom and anti-discrimination. I believe in respect for individual rights and respect for one another. I believe in abiding by the laws of our land. I believe in the Constitution of the United States of America.
I believe that small business people are the heart and soul of our communities and if we are to prosper, they must be trusted to know what is best for their businesses. They know their clientele best - not the government.
I believe that business owners, many of whom have invested their life's savings into their businesses, have the sole right to choose what legally can or cannot be done on their property.
I believe that along with freedom comes responsibility. Freedom to smoke (which is LEGAL) bears its own responsibility, but that responsibility lies with the individual and the choices he or she makes. NOT with the government. Just as it does in their business affairs.
I believe if a business chooses to have a non-smoking environment, we all must accept and respect that without question or challenge. I also believe if a business chooses to allow smoking, we all must accept and respect that choice without question or challenge. It has to go both ways.
I do NOT believe the second-hand smoke scare tactics. I believe that is just hype created to create further support for smoking bans all in the name of big money lobbying.
On 1/16/1919, Amendment 18 was enacted. It reads as follows:
After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
On 12/5/1933, this was repealed. Alcohol Prohibition was a failure. Why? Because alcohol became more dangerous to consume; crime increased and became "organized"; the court and prison systems were stretched to the breaking point; and corruption of public officials was rampant. The power belongs in the hands of the people, not the government or their special interest groups. Much to our detriment, society has sadly lost site of this important fact.
There isn't much difference between prohibition and banning. Prohibition was disasterous and banning is a repeat of failed history. Shame on our legislators. Shame on Governor Doyle.
"National prohibition of alcohol (1920-33)--the "noble experiment"--was undertaken to reduce crime and corruption, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden created by prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene in America. The results of that experiment clearly indicate that it was a miserable failure on all counts. The evidence affirms sound economic theory, which predicts that prohibition of mutually beneficial exchanges is doomed to failure."
Reference: Alcohol Prohibition Was a Failure
Finally, I believe in Ban the Ban Wisconsin! Godspeed. _____________________________________________________________________________________
Marshall Keith
marshall@banthebanwisconsin.com
A former Conservative turned Libertarian who like every generation before them longs for the good old days. I remember the days when you could travel without papers, buy guns mail order, and the Constitution had meaning. Were some changes necessary because of the times, absolutely. But we have lost sight of the freedom that this country was founded on. With freedom comes choices,with choices consequences, it seems that now days no one is willing to pay the consequences and are willing to forgo the freedom for convenience.
When the term liberal meant looking out for the little guy not socialism. A classic example of a true American Liberal would be John F. Kennedy who in one of his most famous speeches said,
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shank from this responsibility - I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavour will light our country and all who serve it -- and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
These words are forgotten words, where a growing number of Americans expect the government to take care of all of their needs, instead of taking responsibility of their own actions and making their own choices. They do not see that every bit of control given to the government is a freedom and a choice lost, and as history shows once freedom is lost, it is next to impossible to reclaim.
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
Benjamin Franklin