Guy is correct that I consider myself a conservative and don't mind being labeled as one.  I do think some clarification is needed because I don't agree with Guy's conclusion that most conservatives want to regulate what goes on behind closed doors. However, that isn't my reason for responding to Guy's letter, so  I will save the reasons why I am a conservative instead of a

libertarian for another time. It would take a more detailed response than I have the time to do at the moment.

The reason I am responding to Guy's letter is that he misconstrued what I have said about tobacco. I never have said that tobacco should be banned. I did say in an earlier article I wrote for Sodbuster entitled "Up In Smoke" that I was personally opposed to the use of tobacco. I didn't say it should be banned or regulated. The jest of the article was that I was opposed to the

fraudulent concern over tobacco because those in favor of the taxes, regulations and lawsuits claim they are for people's health when they are really concerned about collecting more in taxes.

In that context, I stated that if tobacco was as bad as they say and they were really that concerned for those using tobacco, then the debate should be over whether to ban tobacco or not. By framing the question that way, it helps expose the hypocrisy of the current policy of the government. The stated goal is to reduce tobacco use, but if that happened the government would be in big financial trouble because of the huge amount of revenue collected from tobacco taxes.

In the case of tobacco, I think my views are quite libertarian, at least as to the role of government. I think as long as the tobacco user isn't harming others, I think it should be legal for him to smoke.

I would pose these questions for further discussion:  If a person is addicted to anything, are they still free? They made the initial choice to take a drink, light up or snort, but I don't think too many choose addiction. If they become addicted, many people suggest they can't stop. Would it violate the concept of free choice for someone to interfere, such as forcing someone to take rehab?

Joe Murray