Posted by: Mike Location: Rockford
To Paul...You say what made our country great was "tough hard working people." That's true. When our country was building its economic empire, the business owners were paying their workers next to nothing. By have people work for 3 cents an hour, the business owners were able to get jobs outsourced here and the owners made a ton of dough. There is no difference now. Other countries are able to pay their workers next to nothing. We can't compete anymore. Americans, on the average, will continue to drive SUV's that get no gas milage. The big corporations will continue to downsize because the big corporate bosses will not take the same paycut they will ask you and I to take. Banning smoking is not that important if you don't have any money to pay for the cigarettes.

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Posted by: mike Location: iowa
well even if im 15 i used to smoke ciggarets until my mom had breast cancer and the doctor said that smoking was part of the cause so i think that banning smoking is good for helping to prevent cancer and if u smoke dony u think of little kids well i didnt but thats just cuz of the urge to have that next cig and those little kids could die from second hand smoke so if u dont like wat im sayin then post somethin back on here and ill check it

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Posted by: Miguel I actually haven't "every" shopped at Wal-Mart.

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Posted by: Kathy Location: Rockford
Roger I agree that the smoking ban is "stupid" BUT unfortunately, the way you chose to express your opinion by degrading Wal-Mart shoppers totally wiped out any credibility you might have had. Did you honestly feel you couldn't make your point without degrading someone? As an interesting aside, how can the government ban stupidity when that is who makes up 90% of our government?

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Posted by: Lindsey Location: Oregon
I am not a smoker,but I think these new smoking laws are just stupid. The goverment should leave it up to the business owners. I also think if you have a problem with smoking stay out of places were smoking is in an abundent amount.

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Posted by: Rachel Location: Rockford
If that was a law over half of the city would be on house arrest! But I wouldn't be complaining... haha

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Posted by: becky Location: rockford
they take our smoking away so what's next or alcohol to and they'll take away something else.

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Posted by: gary Location: rockford
Terry, The kinda remark that your saying Thats whats STUPID ! And if Stupid was a Crime you would be run out of the Country !!!!

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Posted by: terry Location: winnebago
The government did put a ban on public stupidity it's called NO SMOKING IN PUBLIC!

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Posted by: Paul Location: Rockford
Walmarts and McDonalds alike are meccas for people who don't understand that with every item they purchase, they are aiding in the outsourcing of american jobs to countries like China , Taiwan , and India. The same textile facotry that produced your shirt in India , employing Indians could be built in this country. Would you rather someone in India have a job , or someone in Indiana? What really needs top be made illegal is Outsourcing. The global economy will cause a huge shift in global wealth assets in the future, and unfortunately if we don't take action soon America will be neither as wealthy, nor as powerful as our currently rising , former third world counterparts. Our country was made great by, tough hard working people and likewise is being ruined by whiny, weak and overweight people who have no vision, ambition, or ability to see or prevent our coming downfall.

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Posted by: Paul Location: Rockford
Private clubs should not be affected by this law. The members of these clubs pay dues, and vote on the bi-laws which affect these members while they are on club property, which is privately owned and restricted to use by club members only. This law requires revision

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Posted by: Patricia Location: Rockford
I think it would be great if they had bar's for smoking and bar's for no-Smoking and food places the same way and if someone comes in to a smoking place then that is there proablem right

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Posted by: Kathy Location: Oregon
I'M JUST WAITING FOR THEM TO TELL US WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK WE CAN OR CAN'T BE ON THE STREET, WE HAVE BECOME RUSSIA #2. I THOGHT WE LIVED IN THE LAND OF THE FREE? YOU CAN'T GO INTO THE COURTHOUSE WITHOUT GOING THRU A METAL DETECTOR, YOU CAN ONLY USE YOUR CELL PHONE IN DESIGNATED AREAS, YOU CAN'T PHYSICALLY SPANK YOUR KIDS, YOU CAN'T PLAY YOUR MUSIC TOO LOUD, YOU CAN'T LET YOUR DOG BARK BECAUSE SOMEONE WILL COMPLAIN, THEY TRIED TO TELL US HOW MANY PETS WE COULD HAVE, THEY KEEP RAISING OUR TAXES AND FIND MORE THINGS TO TAX US FOR, DO THE GOVERNMENT PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAXES? I DOUBT IT, THEY GET A TAX-BREAK FOR EVERYTHING. ARE THE GOVERNMENT PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HIGH COST OF GASOLINE? DON'T SEE ANYTHING ABOUT THAT IN THE PAPER, ONLY TAX-PAYERS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PRICES. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT OUR PRESIDENT COULD PUT A FREEZE ON ANYTHING? OH, WAIT, HE DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR GAS, WE , THE TAXPAYERS PAY FOR HIM. ISN'T THAT JUST PEACHY. GOVERNMENT, YIPPY!

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Posted by: Anonymous Location: Beloit
Certain places who rely on smokers for their profits, such as bars and restaurants are not going to abide by this rule and I saw it firsthand January 1st at Macktown Lounge in South Beloit. They are still allowing their customers to smoke (as long as someone doesn't complain). When you think about it, they can't really enforce this law 100%. Sad but true...

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Posted by: Doug Location: Northern IL
The 2 highest taxed commodities besides gas in the state of Illinois is cigerates and booze. The state is going to tax something else to make up for the lost revenue. Oh, I'm sorry it will be called a fee so that the taxpayers will not know that it is a tax. What is Chicago doing they are adding a tax to bottled water. I'm a former smoker and I feel for the smokers but I also enjoy going out to dinner and not smelling like a smoke stack. One other the other problems will be all the smokers will need to have a butt can outside so the outside will not have buts all over the entrance.

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Posted by: Michele Location: Rockford
You don't have to smoke to get cancer and you don't have to be around people that smoke to get cancer.I don't have a problem smoking outside but you will have a problem with that too because you do have to walk to your car.I would like to eat my dinner in peace and not hear your cell phone go off while I am eating.Maybe we should get rid of alcohol too,then we wouldn't have drunk drivers because you could die of that too..If I am around people who don't smoke and ask me not too,I do respect them but stupid people like you that have to be rude about it,I don't respect.I can't wait until the government comes into your house and tells you when you can and can't use the bathroom.They already tell us how to raise our kids among other things but they can't keep them safe either.It is nice to know you are a puppet.

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Posted by: ERO Location: Rockford
I think it is wonderful that they are going to ban smoking in public places. I am tired of the smokers killing me! I am also grateful that I don't have to fear going out with my friends then coming home reddking of smoke.. to the point I get sick to my stomach. And about "non smokers should not go there" well where the F*** are we supposed to go? Smoke outside smokers!

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Posted by: supermex Your comment makes you an ignorant man. Why judge people because they shop at Walmart ? If u don't like being around people or as you would say "stupid people" then stay home and smoke your cancer sticks !

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