Assemblywoman Tanner and No-Smoking Rules

With election to the Assembly, I believe one must swear to uphold the laws of the state. Yet Assemblywoman Tanner blatantly states that were a no-smoking rule passed in the Assembly she would continue to smoke on the Assembly floor. Further, she states that since historically people have been allowed to smoke in the Assembly, she resents Assemblyman Gerald Felando’s (R-San Pedro) resolution on no-smoking. The right to smoke in the Assembly chamber is, she said, “a matter of principle. There was no such rule when I ran for election.”

Indeed. I can recall when there was no rule requiring the wearing of seat belts, no necessity of placing children in special car seats, a speed limit in some areas to 70 miles per hour.

However now that these rules have become the law, would that entitle me to disregard them since there were no such rules (or laws before)? I must presume that Assemblywoman Tanner does not consider that these rules apply to her either since these rules did not exist as the law historically before being passed.

The will of the majority rules our system of government and the law applies to all. Approximately 30% of adult Americans smoke and conversely 70% (the majority) do not smoke.

Tanner owes an apology to the majority (and to Felando) and should start to observe and support the laws she swore to uphold. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law.

HARRY PERELMAN

Rancho Mirage