For 21 years, I awaited my god-given right to consume alcohol legally. Unfortunately, most of the time, I consume in Pennsylvania–land of Commonwealth government rules and a lack of a free market. Last week, while driving through Delaware, I found huge savings on wine. Since there is no sales tax in Delaware and the stores aren’t all owned by the state there is competition between stores and the prices are much lower. In Pennsylvania, sans competition and plus sales tax, our liquor selection is horrible and the prices areoutrageous.
Why do we accept this fact of life by living in an antiquated commonwealth? At our neighborhood liquor store at 41st and Market the credit card machine has been down so the store is currently a cash only institution. I’ve never seen so many angry people in my life until as I saw waiting in line watching people be told that they can only use the dough in their wallet to pay. Also, the liquor store was closed on Valentine’s Day due to the snow. I doubt the privately run businesses in New Jersey and Delaware closed shop on a huge holiday because of some unfavorable weather. We’ve got a lot of work to do PA and it should start with privatizing the state’s liquor industry.
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February 17th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
This is another example of the classic Morse post. Pick a target, fire off a round of insults, and leave the debris for others to clean up. There is obviously not enough room in this form for me to do all of the cleaning, but consider this: All tax moneys collected are transferred to the State Treasury. In fact, all revenues remaining, after PLCB operating expenses and payments to other Commonwealth Agencies, are also transferred to the State Treasury. Mr. Morse, how do you expect the city of Philadelphia to fix “the most dangerous intersection on Penn’s campus” without government funds?
Secondly, you complain about the prices, but did you ever consider that, being one of the largest purchasers of alcohol in the United States affords an incredible amount of bargaining power? There are always two sides to every coin Mr. Morse. Try flipping yours every once in a while.
February 18th, 2007 at 2:23 am
Oh please. Are you some kind of communist Goldsmith? I fail to see how state owned liquor stores provide any traceable benefit, other than highlighting yet another of America’s outragouesly outdated taboos - fear of alcohol. Time and time again, the free market outperforms govt owned business, and yet some people refuse to accept the benefits of an open market? It’s unbelievable, especially from Penn students. A privatised industry would bring lower prices, higher efficiency, bigger profits and thus larger coporate tax income. Everyone benefits, most notably the consume which in West Philadelphia is more often that not those at the bottom of society.