VANITY: Sunday Alcohol Sales....Blue laws good or bad?

Georgia Dawg

[GeorgiaDawg]

Hi all....

FReepers have been very helpful in the past and I wanted to touch base to see if you could help again.

Our city council is debating putting Sunday alcohol sales on the ballot, yet again. The matter has been defeated twice in the past few years, but they are considering the referendum again.

While I am a believer of seperation of church and state, I also believe in keeping the Sabbath holy....can this be reconciled? I'd appreciate any thoughts or comments on any experience any of you have had with this issue...

Georgia Dawg

[SgtSki]

Keep the blue laws. That way the drunks will have at least one day to sober up.

[Ouderkirk]

Actually, I do remember the enforcement of the "blue laws". You had to plan ahead. If there was a picnic or whatever on a Sunday you needed to buy beer on Saturday or sometime before. In some respects it was OK and you understood that that the way it was. With 24/7 everything these days the "blue laws" are harder to justify.

Alcohol sales are a different story. Like any vice, it demands a certain amount of regulation because there are those with no self-restraint.

That is in essence the purpose of blue laws. The imposition of some restraint on those who choose not to have any.

[LexBaird]

Ah, yes, a law that restricts sales on Sunday because of the tradition that Sunday is a day of rest is surely equal to Islamic law.

It only differs in degree, not in the basis of rationale. Your traditions limit Sundays; theirs limits all alcohol consumption. Both are predicated on secular legal enforcement of sectarian religious tenants.

[Froufrou]

I don't get what you're saying at all; if you buy beer or wine on Sunday morning the Japanese will drop bombs on you?

You suggest the people leaving church at Pearl Harbor were drunk? Obviously, the comparison was lost on more than just you. I'm sorry some people don't "get" the blue laws. I am able to see that they were intended to DETER people from drinking during church hours. That's all. I apologize if my references confused anyone.

[evets]

[Protagoras]

Laws against murder, stealing and some forms of lying are still on the books. We should get rid of them and rely on their natures.

The laws you mention defend the rights of people.

The "blue laws" concern behavior which violates no one's rights.

[wireman]

Amen, brother!!!

[Froufrou]

You all walked right into this one. Alcohol is a grocery, you say? Then, why can't you buy it with food stamps, or the electronic benefit transfer card?

G'head, tell me...

[Ouderkirk]

You point is non sequitur. There are few jobs that run continuous operations from Saturday night into Sunday morning. You want a beer on Sunday morning...plan ahead and buy it on you way into work.

[linda_22003]

"Alcohol sales are a different story. Like any vice...."

What a bizarre statement. Drink or not, as you like, but selling alcohol is not a VICE.

[Larry Lucido]

I would have to get my pastor's recommendation in my resume or I would never get a job!

Thank goodness that changed, or I'd be living in a cardboard box today! LOL!

Or worse, selling my body to lonely, beautiful rich woman - hmm, come to think of it, how come I'm not doing that now?

[linda_22003]

So fill us in, what do blue laws have to do with Japanese bombs???

[Froufrou]

You'd have to ask them. Evidently, they are more faithful in some states than others! ;o)

[Protagoras]

Think what you wish. I already told you I was an unabashed Christian.

The proper role of government in a free society does not depend on anyone's philosophy.

[evets]

God bless.

[linda_22003]

Well, the best stocked hotel bars I've been in are usually Marriotts - and they're Mormon too! ;)

[Hildy]

It's a stupid and hypocritical law. Just like ABC states.

[elkfersupper]

What's wrong with this comment?

Advocacy of government interfering with private property rights for starters.

Advocating government setting private business operating days and hours is another.

There are several others.

[Larry Lucido]

18th, 19th, or even early-20th Century America

When you're being chased by Indians and grizzly bears, you don't have time to worry about Sunday liquor sales. Besides, anyone resourceful enough to survive then can figure out a work-around such as home distillation.