A well poured Guinness

Did you know 17 states control liquor sales through state-run stores? I’m a nondrinker, except I’d drink Guinness if my doctors would let me, so I don’t really care about alcohol sales. Except for that pesky liberty thing.

The greatest state slogan, “Live Free or Die,” belongs to New Hampshire. They also have state-run liquor stores. The stores are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Closed on weekends. Seriously. So much for “living free,” huh?

I’ve previously decried Georgia’s absurd liquor laws, so why am I discussing alcohol sales again? Because of comments made by the Democratic Socialist (isn’t that redundant?) running for mayor of New York City. One of his proposals (I’d say it was shocking, but it’s not) is he plans to create city-owned and operated grocery stores. He’ll eliminate the notorious middleman that way, he says.

Crazy, think I, but we do have state-run liquor stores as an example. NYC Gen Y seems to love the idea of city-owned stores. Right. It’s a disaster waiting to happen think I, but hey, it’s NYC’s decision. Doesn’t affect me. I say I believe in local/state governments being laboratories, so let them experiment. He’s not talking about, yet, eliminating Trader Joe’s but simply competing with them by using tax dollars for leases, purchases, labor, even tax exemptions. What could go wrong?

I’m fine with NYC electing a Socialist as mayor and adopting Socialist policies. Gen Y is all for it, but they’ll still go to their Apple store to buy the latest iPhone. Even they recognize they’d still be on Blackberries if the government really ran things. The city stores would undoubtedly be a big hit, if you can get there when they are open. Even banks have better hours than 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. and never on weekends, like New Hampshire’s example. I think Trader Joe’s has nothing to worry about.

Oh yeah! On Star Trek Strange New World’s, Season 3, Episode 2, “Wedding Bell Blues” released last week, Captain Pike orders two Guinnesses! It’s still available in the 23rd century. Not poured into a Guinness pint and not poured correctly, but still impressive.

Kelly Burke was born in Knoxville where he spent his younger years, followed by high school years in Atlanta where he graduated from Georgia Tech. He then graduated from Mercer Law School. He has been in private practice, a magistrate judge, and an elected district attorney. He writes about the law, politics, music and Ireland. He and his wife enjoy gardening, playing with their Lagotto Ramanolo named George Harrison, and spending time with their grandchildren.