If they aren't bothering you, don't bother them.

This is an eminently conservative mantra, but one few followers of the GOP seem to be willing to abide by, though it is the easiest thing in the world. If you don't like an activity or if you think it is wrong (i.e., pot smoking, homosexual conduct, drinking, cell-phone talking and driving, cigarette smoking or any other fringe activity), then don't do it.

If you feel even more strongly about it, then don't associate with people engaging in the activity. Emit disapproving sighs and cast dirty looks. Do not use the law to curtail their liberty to pursue their chosen, if illogical, path.

Yes, these activities are repugnant to you, and may represent objectively sub-optimal choices. Avoid the perennial fool's trap of prohibition as an option not merely because it is fraught with the oft-cited drawbacks that are beyond debate (higher overall costs, increased demand, black market creation), but instead avoid it as an option because prohibition is a legislative Ponzi scheme that will eventually rob you yourself of your freedom.

A group holding (even a fleeting) majority on an issue can prohibit the rest of us from engaging in a controversial activity. Even if you find yourself in that prohibiting majority time and time again, eventually they will come to take that which you hold dear. Instead, live and let live. Stop spending our collective money teaching others lessons they can (and deserve to) learn on their own. Now, that's conservatism.

Mick Leanah

Urbana