Social worker Jim Bailey brings up a good point in a recent letter to the editor of a Midwest newspaper. He quotes the late writer and curmudgeon of The Baltimore Sun, H. L. Mencken (1880-1956), who once said: "The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for those who want to rule it."

It reminds me of the anti-smoking laws that have been enacted around the country. I agree that smoking is a nasty and unhealthy habit but should businesses who have catered to smokers for years suddenly be required to be non smoking establishments? Shouldn't smokers and business owners who depend on their trade have some rights?

My concern about those who carry banners wanting this or that prohibited by law is: When are they going to get the bandwagon rolling to outlaw something that I like? Is there a movement against my favorite Snyder's pretzels this week? How about Miller Beer? Will the government try to take that away next? They tried it from 1919 until 1933 and we all know what a failure that was.

It's dangerous when the will of some can interfere with other's personal choices. Here are a few current examples: Mayor Gavin Newsome of San Francisco wants to impose a tax on stores that sell sugary soft drinks because of the chance they may make someone obese.

The Mississippi Legislature is considering a bill to ban restaurants from serving food to very fat people. It would revoke the license of any restaurant repeatedly feeding the obese.

A New Mexico legislator has proposed a tax on video games and televisions to help fund the fight against childhood obesity.

I can understand the government providing information concerning nutritional values of products and keeping an eye out for contaminated food. They provide a service by educating and advising citizens about health hazards like e-coli. However, I object if they place a ban on medium cooked hamburgers or fois gras. It is none of their business if I want those items. It is up to me if I want to take the risk in spite of their warnings. It's called personal freedom..

Watch out for Big Brother. He is reminiscent of the line from the last guest alive in the 1959 movie House on Haunted Hill. The guest looks into the camera and says, "They are coming for me now.......and then, they will come for you." Smokers can identify with that line.