Tobacco Road

"To survive in this world you need the strength of youth and the wisdom of age."  Broughton The smoking ban in bars and restaurants in New Zealand is achieving nothing except poverty among hospitality business owners.  Naturally, more inventive people are finding ways around the heavy handed legislation.  The so called health risks haven't changed and the authorities refuse to name the 300 odd people whose lives have been allegedly saved by the ban.  Propaganda is flowing and the average Kiwi is too dumb to appreciate the disadvantages of trying to control human nature.  As a result the number of talented people leaving New Zealand is increasing. Throughout history man has always turned his back on repressive legislation and sought new opportunities in faraway lands.  The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were all populated by thinking people raising two fingers to Europe's egotistical rulers.  Remember the Mayflower and the Pilgrims and the thousands of migrant ships that sailed the oceans searching for freedom of choice? My suggestion is simple: a group of like minded people, diversity of race and culture would be a distinct advantage, purchase a few thousand acres of suitable land somewhere in South American and set up an enclave appropriately named Tobacco Road.  Build decent housing for a thousand couples and a social venue (bar- restaurant) named Nicotine Alley.  With modern  technology such as solar panels and wind turbines, electricity will not be a problem.  The internet will provide communications and worldwide television etc.  Local labour is cheap and the acreage will provide life sustaining vegetables and meat products.  Tobacco hails from South America as do potatoes and tomatoes.  It would be a simple matter to establish a winery and brewery. There's no need to be filthy rich, if the average person sold their home suffering from government inspired inflation, the low living cost of Tobacco Road would be hugely advantageous.  I suggest a minimum age limit of 50 years.  This would avoid young  people treating the enclave as an adventure for a short period.  We don't want a recycled 1960's flower power generation as residents.  Older people  tend to be mentally mature and smokers having reached the age of 50 without dying are more than likely to live a normal lifespan.  A climate that's not too hot or cold and with adequate rainfall would be an advantage. You would still be entitled to the pension from your home country.  This would annoy your old government but lets face it, they've taxed and tried to control your entire life, do they really expect you to stop smoking just because they owe you money?  It would be a much deserved payback  to demand your entitlements and support Tobacco Road's economy in another part of the world. Politicians aren't famous for thinking ahead and they've created the problem by their own lack of nous.  Consequently they have nobody to blame but themselves.  Their economy will shrink because  you insist on living your chosen lifestyle.  It's called democracy and sailing the seven seas is what personal freedom is all about. I had considered New Zealand as a suitable venue, but after making enquiries from a number of councils, it became obvious that they want to control and financially exploit all aspects of residency in their areas.  No doubt in the years to come, you will need to pay council a fee to sit on the loo and read a newspaper.  They might even decide what vegetables you can grow in your garden?  The oppressive Resource Management Act is also destroying personal investment and initiative.  You can't do anything without publically asking permission.  It can take years to build a simple carport. Parts of South America are developing rapidly but generally speaking, they have no need for the mindless legislation currently destroying  developed countries.  It would be essential to pick an area outside a city that provides reasonable policing and adequate  hospitals etc. Tobacco Road would be managed using time proven honesty, decency and commonsense.  Break these time honoured laws and you will receive an old fashioned kick up the ass and permanent banishment. Politicians, bureaucrats and vindictive non smokers need not apply for residency.  Tobacco Road would be designed for real people, not those who live in a  world of fantasy. Welcome to Tobacco Road. "A life of adversity is an interesting life."     Broughton