A Prime Example

[legion]

Of the problems created by government regulation:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070528/ap_on_re_us/lone_liquor_store

There's a supply problem facing those who imbibe in this city of 126,000, where spectacular red rock scenery, sunny weather and affordable proximity to Las Vegas have contributed to a record population boom. St. George has a single state-run liquor outlet — on the city's west side — and its inventory is often depleted.

In Utah, liquor, wine and beer with an alcohol content over 3.2 percent by weight can only be purchased in state liquor stores. State law sets the number of liquor stores based on state, not local, populations. The law says the number of liquor stores can't exceed one per 48,000 people in the state.
...
State officials are working to provide a second store, but it's a long process. The department began asking for money for a second store three years ago, and finding a location has posed an even tougher challenge.
...
There's also another, sneakier option. Some residents drive a half hour south on Interstate 15 to Lee's Discount Liquors in Mesquite, Nev. Bringing alcohol into Utah from the state is against the law, punishable by six months in jail, a $1,000 fine and booze confiscation.

If competition were allowed here, this never would have been a problem. Instead, the state of Utah has imposed a monopoly on alcohol sales. I'd love to hear explanations on the wider social purpose this burdensome regulation provides.

[Neilk]

and people want to vote for Mitt Romney????

Don't say they aren't related. It all has to do with Mormonism.

[Burnin' oil]

71

[widebody911]

That's not a problem of government regulation, but rather a prime example of what happens when the religious nut-cases start writing laws. And it's not limited to Mormonism - the right-wing fundies would love to put similar laws on the books.

[tabs]

Originally posted by widebody911
That's not a problem of government regulation, but rather a prime example of what happens when the religious nut-cases start writing laws. And it's not limited to Mormonism - the right-wing fundies would love to put similar laws on the books.

Not fking quiet....

[tabs]

The Liberals on the other hand want to BAN....Guns, Tobacco, Trans Fats, Business for Profit, Gasoline Engines (lawn mowers, leaf blowers and cars, BBQs that use Charcoal and what else have I forgotten...

[Lothar]

Originally posted by widebody911
That's not a problem of government regulation, but rather a prime example of what happens when the religious nut-cases start writing laws. And it's not limited to Mormonism - the right-wing fundies would love to put similar laws on the books.

If only you were kidding.

State Liquor Stores in PA exist for the sole benefit of union employees who operate those stores. Competition is lacking, prices are outrageous and consumers routinely drive across the state borders to buy alcohol in less socialist states.

Pennsylvania is not exactly a haven for right wing religious nut-cases.

It's entirely about government and its abuses.

[JavaBrewer]

I'll bet the LDS gets a slice of each alcohol sale in the form of a tax. Consumption is forbidden in the Words of Wisdom (WOW) but making a buck on the side from the heathen is a-ok.

I flew into Philly for the first time and was surprised to find that no wine or beer was sold in the grocery store near the hotel. The state run store was closed (9:00 pm) so I had to buy mini-bottles from the hotel. Crazy.

[jriera]

The good news for people in St. George is that Mesquite, NV is only 40 miles away!!!

[on2wheels52]

Could it be due to an old 'blue law' that's still on the books? Iowa had state liquour stores when I was a kid, am pretty sure they have since gone commercial.
Jim

[David]

The alcohol laws in Utah are pretty weird. I was out there visiting a friend a couple years ago. We took a bottle of wine to a sushi bar. The restaurant had to take the bottle and open it for us after we were seated. As we were waiting for a table, we talked to the hostess. She said a guy came in a few days earlier dressed very well. He had a bottle of wine without the Utah tax stamp on it. They said they could not serve it to him. He said it was very expensive, rare bottle he'd been saving. They said no way. He persisted. They said no way. He finally said, good job, he was with the state!

Fortunately you could buy beer in a grocery store, but the same beer in a state store was a couple dollars more per 6 pack.

[legion]

Originally posted by widebody911
That's not a problem of government regulation, but rather a prime example of what happens when the religious nut-cases start writing laws. And it's not limited to Mormonism - the right-wing fundies would love to put similar laws on the books.

Then explain to me why Ohio and Pennsylvania have the same laws...

[jyl]

Probably traces back to Prohibition and sin laws. Just a guess.

Yes, here is the result of a quick Google http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/from_war_to_war/prohibitionfailedtostoptheliquorflowinutah.html

Utah outlawed liquor during Prohibition, religious beliefs played a part in that, the current situation springs from that history.

[Lothar]

In the case of PA, the origins of the State Liquor Store has been lost after countless political battles. Conservative lawmakers have argued for years that the system needs to be dismantled in favor of private stores and that state government has no business running the stores.

If you took a poll, you would be hard pressed to find anyone in the state, outside of government, who feels that the state being in the liquor business brings any value. But every time a bill is brought to the state house, the liberals insure that the only way that the system will end is on the Friday before a long holiday weekend, leaving no alternative for consumers.

With the prospect of a dry 4th of July or Labor Day weekend, the effort is tabled.

The real issue is state employees of the stores, who are unionized, overpaid, and remain loyal to the leftist lawmakers, as long as they get to keep their cushy jobs. The protection they get from lawmakers is nothing more than political pandering for votes bought and paid for.