Maybe there was more to it than TV shtick.  When news was reported of a California town banning smoking in apartments, Mika declared “that is a good idea.”   Mika not only seems to see herself as Mommy, but views the appropriate role of government as playing Big Mommy for all of us.

Mike Barnicle seemed perhaps on the verge of saying that whereas smoking is a repulsive habit, government had gone too far in this case, but got sidetracked as Dylan Ratigan and Willie Geist jumped in with their takes.

The Morning Joe report was based on an article in today’s New York Times about the adoption by Belmont, CA of an ordinance that effectively bans smoking in apartments, on pain of a $100 fine.

Just how dangerous is second-hand smoke is a matter of controversy, with a recent study concluding the dangers have been exaggerated.  Even if the risk is real, people can choose where they live just as they choose whether or not to smoke.  But the busybodies of Belmont–reflecting the thinking Mika exhibited–believe that Big Mommy government knows best.

Note: this is far from the first time Mika has cast her vote for Big Mommy government.  Recently, discussing New York Governor David Paterson’s plan to tax non-diet sodas and other goodies, Mika declared: “He’s taxing everything that’s bad for you.  That’s cool.”