Stogie Editorial: Vote for Cigar Rights
29 Oct 2008
There are, of course, many issues at stake in the election, and we probably won’t be voting solely on cigar-related policies. But that doesn’t mean cigar issues aren’t an important factor in who gets our vote. So here’s our take on who we think cigar smokers can trust to defend their rights.
As detailed in Monday’s article on Obama and McCain, neither candidate offers a particularly impressive agenda. When push comes to shove, we suppose McCain is marginally better on cigar issues as a whole, but not in a particularly meaningful way.
Not to mention that his record suggests he is likely to flip-flop on tobacco issues (after all, he spent a decade trying to jack up taxes on cigarettes before only recently opposing such a hike). So while the pragmatist in us says a begrudging vote for McCain, the idealist says there must be a better choice. And there is.
Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr agrees with us on every important issue: taxes, regulation, smoking bans, trade, and Cuban sanctions. His position can be summed up with this quote: “Washington should leave smokers and other tobacco users alone.” Here, here!
And he’s a cigar smoker too, even talking about smoking cigars with Stephen Colbert of the Colbert Report. All that makes it a real shame that he hasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of getting elected. Still, maybe a vote for Barr would help send a message that we smokers are tired of being mistreated by Washington.
But, in our opinion, far more important than who you support for president is who you support in your state and local races. These elections are easier for individual voters to impact, and this is the level where smoking bans are being passed at an alarming rate. By researching which candidates are for or against smoking bans and then getting involved, you can be an important factor.
Tell your cigar smoking friends which candidate is an ally of smokers’ rights and which is an enemy. Also, call up the campaigns to thank the good ones, as well as let the bad ones know that the smoking issue is why you won’t be supporting them. We suggest you do this year-round but, not surprisingly, politicians are likely to be most responsive to the views of their constituents just before an election.
Be your vote national or local in scope, we encourage you—our cigar smoking brethren—to put in a little effort and make sure your voice is heard. Only then can we expect the loathsome, self-interested politicians and bureaucrats at the federal, state, and local levels to heed our warning to respect our rights.
photo credit: BobBarr2008
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
"All that makes it a real shame that he hasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of getting elected." Ha!
Also I think you're dead right about state and local levels mattering more than the presidential election.
Nice editorial. I'm convinced either Obama or McCain will fuck over cigar smokers, as well as everybody else who cares about liberty.
Perhaps more importantly than cigar issues, Bob Barr is also the only candidate who takes the best approach ("do no more harm") regarding the financial crisis.
It's a shame the Libertarian Party is what it is: while their principals are by far the closest to those of the founding fathers, as a party they are poorly organized and powerless–and, in my opinion, a waste of time. I speak as a former registered Libertarian whose idealism was left on the cold, hard road of reality–in almost 40 years of existence, the LP has failed to get a candidate elected to a significant office. They tout the fact that they've had hundreds of members elected, but those are almost entirely non-partisan offices like mayor and city council; and when those same candidates run for higher office (one where you have to declare a party) they lose.
I have taken the Republitarian approach: I will be a registered Republican and vote in the primaries for the most libertarian-minded candidate who is also practical (IMO, Fred Thompson earlier this year). I support changing the party from within…oh, and I support anyone's right to smoke anything they want–especially cigars!
First of all I love cigars and find them to be one of the most relaxing things in life. But I think its a little petty to base an election on cigar rights. For me and im sure many others there are other issues that outweigh our love of cigars. Also I find this election considering all that is going on much to meaningful to cast a vote simply to send a message about cigars.
I’m voting Barr this fall, because I believe in hope.
My idealism hasn’t been ground to naught … yet.
I met Bob at a dinner in Gainesville, Florida recently. He allowed as how Al Gore is really a pretty good guy, and they smoked Cohibas together.
Meh, nevermind that these times are wrought with economic crises and everlasting wars. I'm voting solely on cigar issues! 🙂
Besides, whoever gets elected will just fuck everything up anyways. Pick your poison: a Turd Sandwich or a Giant Douche.
erik-
I'm a cigar smoker and not having Washington DC tell me I can't smoke, or telling me I have to pay $3 more in taxes every time I do is pretty important to me.
I don't want a politician to "change the world" Just one that will leave me alone.
Fna-
You should probably read their first paragraph:
“There are, of course, many issues at stake in the election, and we probably won’t be voting solely on cigar-related policies. But that doesn’t mean cigar issues aren’t an important factor in who gets our vote. So here’s our take on who we think cigar smokers can trust to defend their rights.”
I don’t think they would disagree.
are you all insane ?! this is a very important moment in time – you can change the world ! don’t let cigars distract you from the real issues at stake here !!