Liberty Lost

The New Hampshire Union Leader says New Hampshire is no longer the "Live free or die" state, they're the "Live free unless legislators disapprove of your behavior" state.

On Wednesday the House voted 189-154 to ban smoking in all bars and restaurants. The state already bans smoking in restaurants with 50 or more seats. But that wasn’t good enough for representatives who felt compelled to protect citizens from their own choices.

This session House members had already voted to force all pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception and to deny parents the ability to choose where their children go to school. Last year legislators required children to wear helmets while riding bicycles (the bill originated in the House). Every year legislators, usually beginning with House members, try to erode a few more of our liberties.