Weighing in

A weekly look at reader comments and reactions to the news

Mon., Oct. 11, 2010

Will your next bottle of Jack Daniel’s come from a state liquor store or a Costco?

Voters will decide Nov. 2, when two ballot initiatives would take the state (mostly) out of the business of selling hard liquor. Among the backers are large national retail chains, while beer distributors, and some wineries, labor unions, law enforcement and public health advocates are urging “no” votes.

Spokesman-Review readers who weighed in with online comments are split. Some say the government never should have gotten into the business of booze. Others say they fear greater alcohol abuse, and related problems, if the initiatives pass.

Here are excerpts from their comments:

Rock60: There is no reason to restrict access to what is legal in this nation. These type of sales take place all over the country. Washington is still backwards on this one.

Spoketucky: I am against both of the initiatives mainly because I abhor initiative-style governance. It’s not democracy, it’s mobocracy, and in this case, mobocracy financed by billionaires.

Horse feathers: I’m voting to take this tax-inflated industry out of the hands of government.

Fishinjay: There are already laws limiting the hours when alcohol can be served, making it illegal to be drunk in public, making it illegal to drive drunk, and making it illegal to sell to minors. Neither 1100 nor 1105 change those laws.

PlanB: I guess the upside is that some booze MIGHT be cheaper, and may be more readily available. But it’s pulling a substantial amount of money out of state coffers. And the state (us) will still have to deal with and pay for regulation, public safety and health issues caused by alcohol.

Jimmy: Since when does “state coffers” = us? Less government regulation + more privatization + free market = how this country became great. Let’s move back to that model not continue to move away from it.

Mr. Natural: Costco, you have sunk to a despicable low in the interests of greed.

Thayne: Neither of these proposals will help small business. The corporate monsters like wally world, Albertsons, Safeway, etc., etc. will buy huge amounts of liquor at ridiculously low prices, and the mom and pop operations will not be able to compete.

Zelda Krup: With all the initiatives, I have to wonder why we even bother to elect a legislature.

JBlim: I’m voting no in my own self-interest. I don’t drink hard liquor. When I go into the store, I want a big selection of beer. Don’t be crowding me out with all the girlie-man martini stuff on the shelves.

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