[ROTHSCHILD] In their rush to pass a zero tolerance, all inclusive smoking ban for Wisconsin, did the Assembly forget Wisconsin’s veterans residing in our state Veterans Homes, or deliberately put their health and comfort at risk?

The justification for imposing a statewide ban was, we were told, simply to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. This ban was never intended to invade the privacy of our homes in Wisconsin.

Jim Maas, Libertarian candidate for the 85th Assembly District and a Wisconsin veteran, points out that the King Veterans Home is “home” for 700 veterans and survivors. “A zero tolerance ban on smoking in the Veterans Home is unnecessary, cruel, intolerant and thoughtless,” complains Maas. “Forcing Wisconsin’s veterans out in Wisconsin’s weather was not an unforeseen consequence of the rush to protect nonsmokers.

“The Assembly was offered an amendment to exempt the King Veterans Home. 100% of the Democrat party majority rejected this compassionate compromise. How can forcing our elderly veterans out in the heat and cold be considered healthy, if that is truly their objective? King has separate, ventilated smoking lounges which have protected nonsmokers well. Now the Department of Veterans Affairs will have to divert some of its resources to build outside smoking shelters to attempt to protect our veterans.

“It just make no sense,” concluded Maas, who is an Infantry combat veterans, Wisconsin National Guard veteran, and former “Fighting SeaBee” Naval Reservist. Jim Maas is the Libertarian candidate for the 85th District Assembly seat, promoting constitutional government and a balanced budget.