Is this letter pathetic or what? I particularly love the rigid ideology, lack of concern about public opinion (in this case, strongly in FAVOR of a smoking ban in restaurants/bars), overheated rhetoric - "unconscionable intrusion;" "difficult, if not impossible, for many small businesses to operate in Virginia;" etc. And these guys wonder why they keep losing? Duhhhhh.
2/09/09
To Our Republican Members of the General Assembly,
As members of the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia, we wish to remind you of the following core tenet of our Party's creed: We Believe: That the free enterprise system is the most productive supplier of human needs and economic justice. We write to remind you of this key element of our Republican Creed because we understand that HB 1703 is moving on a fast track to a vote on Tuesday, and as our duly elected Representatives we urge you to vote NO. The passage of such legislation is completely antithetical to our Party's core free market principles. This not about smoking. This is about unnecessary government intrusion into the private sector. This unconscionable encroachment will cost those affected their ability to operate a free enterprise and further alienate our Republican base.
Because the proponents of the smoking ban cite huge public support for this type of legislation, we understand one's inclination to support it. But you will find the owners and patrons of smoking establishments will disagree. This legislation will make it difficult, if not impossible, for many small businesses to operate in Virginia. As you must know, bar or restaurant owners will be forced to make expensive renovations to meet the requirements of HB 1703 in order to offer their patrons a choice. This is another unfunded mandate that will cut into businesses' profits. How will you explain the loss of revenues from successful businesses that fail from their loss of smoking patrons? Who will enforce this legislation? Where will the money be found to add the needed bureaucracy? In a struggling economy, to increase government enforcement and decrease revenue is completely flawed logic, particularly in an election year.
Consumers already have the ability to decide if they wish to frequent an establishment based upon whether that establishment does or does not allow smoking. We urge you to allow the marketplace to influence private sector activity instead of relying upon heavy-handed, intrusive government regulation. As members of the General Assembly, we believe you should be particularly concerned about passing this bill in an election year. Supporting HB 1703 will discourage and demoralize the Republican base and confuse those that view us as the Party of free market principles. Our Gubernatorial nominee understands our principles and position in regard to the smoking ban, and we believe you should take heed of his position. Every member should reconsider their support of this bill, and we are proud of all members who have already voted no. To allow this legislation to pass will compromise the integrity of members who have stayed true to Republican principles and faithfully worked against this legislation.
As a Party we do not need to create a divide between members and the Republican base by supporting legislation that is inconsistent with our Party's core principles. It is our greatest hope that this legislation will be voted down as to avoid intra-party conflict. Our goal is a Republican Party united on principles and vision, standing ready to win in 2009.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeff Fredrick, RPV Chairman
Mike Thomas, 1st Vice- Chair
Kathy Hayden Terry, National Commiteewoman
Kevin Gentry, Eastern Vice Chairman
Juanita Balenger, Eastern Vice Chairwoman
Trixie Averill, Western Vice Chairwoman
Tom Foley, 1st District Chairman
Gary Byler, 2nd District Chairman
Mike Wade, 3rd District Chairman
Jack Wilson, 4th District Chairman
Tucker Watson, 5th District Chairman
Fred Anderson, 6th District Chairman
Lynwood Cobb, 7th District Chairman
Mike Ginsberg, 8th District Chairman
Michelle Jenkins, 9th District Chairman
Becky Steckel, 11th District Chairman
By the way, how hard is it for these guys to spell their party leader's last name correctly? That's F-R-E-D-E-R-I-C-K, not "Frederick" as they spell it here. Somewhere, a village is missing...
