Utah's Draconian Liquor Laws

Readers,

My focus tonight is the anti-business, anti-consumer choice, anti-free market, anti-intelligence round of prohibitionary-esque laws proposed and passed by the Utah Legislature. Perhaps the worst is SB 314, which has now been signed into law by our 'Moderate' (cough cough) Governor Herbert. SB 314 has eliminated 'happy hours' or any discounted drink deals in Bars across Utah. Yes, this means that the free-market lovin', tea-partyin', gun-slingin', don't tread on me (in') Government of Utah is deciding to FORCE restaurants and bars to keep alcohol prices stable day by day, i.e. strong-armed price-fixing. Not only is this a bad deal for the average alcohol consumer, it is a terrible deal for the institutions that serve alcohol as they stand to lose their freedom to offer enticing deals to costumers (and may lose many customers). Has the government stepped in to regulate the discounted sale of Coke in gas stations one might ask? No, because the reasoning of the great small-government lovin' legislature, as promulgated by SB 314 sponsor Sen. Valentine (R-Orem): 'over consumption' of alcohol is the issue.

City Weekly has investigated this feared over consumption of alcohol and the predicted consequences that are said to follow-drunk driving, for instance. City Weekly's reporting found that Drunk Driving fatalities actually DECREASED after private clubs were abolished in 2009-from 240 to 235- (important because: when private clubs went out the window, daily drink specials become paramount). Drunk driving arrests also did not go up noticeably after private clubs were abolished. There is NO evidence to back up the claims that cheap liquor leads to increased incidences of drinking crimes. Drunk driving is a crime no matter how cheap the drinks!!

So, Sen. Valentine and his big-government friends are not attacking discounted drinks at bars and restaurants because it leads to more drunk driving fatalities or arrests? SHOCKING! The truth is: this is simply a misguided and narcissistic attempt to issue a thinly-disguised fatwa against alcohol. And Valentine's war doesn't stop with killing discounted drinks. He also also helped:

*** Successfully push for the 'Zion Curtain" which is a wall that new restaurants in Utah are forced to erect around bars. The Curtain is said to protect the innocent mind of children from the surely satanic guiles of drinking (dun dun dun!!). Is the Utah Congress insulting your parenting skills and intelligence? YES!

*** Successfully advocated for 'liquor quotas' that are stifling business in Utah and keeping new restaurant chains out. Simply put, there are no more licenses available, so new businesses are out of luck

***Almost successfully pushed to close down Several State liquor stores, despite the fact that these stores are profitable and good job creators.

The Big-government GOP in Utah are insulting the intelligence of Utahns-it is time we make our voices heard-we are adults and we can parent our kids (our future kids!)

Fired up!

Cameron

In reaction : the vote for gay marriage in New York

Readers,

What does the 'yay' vote for Gay Marriage in New York mean? It means several things at once: Our nation is slowly healing (slowly progressing to a realization of true equality for women, minorities, LGBT, etc-though slowly is the operative word), millions of people can now get legally married in NY, millions of people will not be denied the essential human right to simply have the opportunity to make a big mistake, get divorced, or to commit lovingly to another human being until death finally separates a bond that life could not, millions more will see that Gays and Lesbians can have marriages that are as loving (if not more) and as dysfunctional as any straight couples' marriage, and lastly it means that the ascension of human rights and human dignity has conquered fear and discrimination (at least for a day).

I can't wait to attend the first gay marriage in Utah. Yes, I do believe gay marriage will be legalized, not always loved or supported, but legalized through out the U.S. A majority of Americans (53%) support the legalization of gay marriage and the President's views are evolving toward that consensus. Change is coming-yes we can! Some religious institutions have stood in the way of meaningful change (and some have embraced change), e.g. interracial marriage, female equality, a naturalistic world view (Evolution, Democritus' Atomism), but their opposition has crumbled when the populace has embraced human rights and shunned bigotry and oppression. These gains will not be reversed without a substantial fight as well.

Equality in Utah:

The equality movement is growing in Utah as reds and blues begin to agree that providing essential rights to all is a good thing. Equality Utah has been extremely successful in pushing for ant-discrimination ordinances-having successfully passed ten initiatives. These initiatives are important, because without them, a landlord could kick out respectable and rent-paying individuals just because of their sexual orientation. Also, the LGBT were not allowed to visit their spouse in the hospital as they couldn't legally be known as a 'spouse'. I can't imagine the heartbreak this causes. Here is a list of Equality Utah's substantial accomplishments:

Equality Utah is committed to passing non-discrimination ordinances in 10 cities in 2010! Learn More

1. Salt Lake City - Passed November 2009

2. Salt Lake County - Passed January 2010

3. Park City - Passed March 2010

4. Logan - Passed May 2010

5. West Valley City - Passed June 2010

6. Summit County - Passed June 2010

7. Taylorsville - Passed July 2010

8. Murray - Passed November 2010

9. Moab - Passed November 2010

10. Grand County - Passed December 2010

Thanks for reading and join the fight for marriage equality and equality in general! My heart is full as America inches closer to a realization of the ideals of Freedom and Equality.

-Cameron