Is it organizations headquartered outside of Michigan? Is it organizations that belong to a consortium that share earnings from state 'quit-line' contracts; such as the North American Quit Line Consortium (membership to this consortium was mandatory to receive our own state's contract); as Michigan's lead pro-ban/anti-property rights lobby group does. Should computer generated, standard form letters from person's unknown, from states and even countries unknown--persons whom know how to look-up a Michigan zip-code be the 'voice' you listen too? Should it be a lobby group that has NO vested interest in Michigan small businesses be the voice that you listen too?

Should it be those affected by the law? Actual owners of Michigan small businesses? Those whom have placed their life savings into their businesses? Those whom have an actual vested interest? Those whom have been telling you since May 1st, 2010 that the Ron Davis law has been decimating their businesses, eliminating their workers jobs; many already having to close--directly due to the Ron Davis law?

Will you listen to the lottery Commissioner? Bar Club Keno sales dropping 20% since May 1st, 2010. Sales that had held steady throughout the recession, and had actually increased before the ban. Over $100 million lost to education and social services due to these losses to lottery sales. 

So whose voices will you choose to hear? 

Those with no vested interest in Michigan small businesses; or will it be the voices of those who have everything to lose? 

We encourage all Michigan lawmakers, all legislative directors, all chiefs of staff to ask callers: "What bar do you own?". "Do you work at a Michigan small business?". If the answer is no to those questions, we ask, then what concern is it of theirs? All Michiganders had choices before the government decided they better knew how to run Michigan bars, taverns, restaurants and private clubs. Since May 1st, 2011 Michigan small business owners have only two choices: 'Comply' themselves right out of business, or disobey the law. That is exactly the position this law has put hard working small business owners in! And the pro-ban lobby has the audacity to declare merely opening the debate as an 'attack'... who is really under attack? Michigan small business owners and workers have been under attack since May 1st, 2010. Under attack from 45 county and district health departments who enforce the law 45 different ways. They have been under attack by the pro-ban/anti-property rights lobby. Thousands of owners and workers who oppose this law have been demonized by the pro-ban lobby. Accused of being 'pro-tobacco'; declared unworthy of a say regarding what happens to their own businesses. There is no question who is 'under attack'. 

It is only fair to those who are losing everything. Those whom are only asking to have the right to choose their own business model. Whether that being to allow or prohibit tobacco use on their property, themselves. Is it not the fair thing to do? To listen to those whom are having their hours cut, and worst of all, losing their jobs--directly due to the private property tobacco use ban.

Michigan small business owners and workers, our Michigan Veteran's clubs, our Michigan support industry owners and workers and many, many more are only asking you to return to them the choice! No worker should ever be forced out of their job by the false promises of a political action committee; as Michigan small business workers have! 

Ignoring Michigan small business owners is irresponsible.