Where are the Libertarians when we need them?

The Colorado House today passed a bill banning smoking in casinos. This was a specific exemption in last year’s law. Granted, it smacked to me of catering to casino lobbyists, and I’d have preferred the exemption to have been for mom & pop bars, but still, we’re now one step closer to more Government intrusion in our lives.

As if that’s not enough, the bill to allow cops to stop drivers simply for not wearing seat belts also advanced,passing the Senate.

Under Senate Bill 151, drivers could be stopped and given a $25 ticket solely for failing to buckle up. Currently, they can be ticketed only if they are stopped for another traffic violation. ….Opponents included Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, who argued that the measure would trample on residents’ personal freedoms and civil rights.

“I don’t believe you should be able to pull over someone in this country basically at will,” Brophy said. “It is another way government will be able to harass citizens.”

Good for Sen. Ron Tupa (D-Boulder), the only Democrat to vote against the bill. All Republicans on the Senate caucus voted no.