You are out of your tree. Why should I have to go to three different places to prepare for a party where I want to serve wine, a keg of beer and a few bottles of light beer? It's insane.
No, I'm not.
I'm quite willing to agree that Pennsylvania's liquor laws are in need of some degree of reform.
But if you think that I'm going to endorse some kind of whacknut libertarian laisezz-faire approach, YOU'RE the one who is out of your tree.
First off, despite my disrespect for dumbed-down teenagers, I think Pa's drinking age should be lowered to 18. My sole reason for this position is consistancy with U.S. law requiring registration for military draft. (Yeah, it's not active, but males must still register. I think females should also, but that's a different issue.) As long as that's the law of the land, I think 18 should be the age for ALL adult rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities.
For those younger than 18, well they've always been sufficiently creative to find ways around whatever system is set-up. But I see no reason to make it easy for them by allowing alcohol sales in any and all retail outlets. Keep alcholic beverage sales separate, where they can be monitored more closely.
As far as the State Stores go, I agree that they should be privatized. There is no need for a state monopoly that simply adds more state employees to the state payroll. If privatized, perhaps the specialty wine/liquor shops can add beer to their inventories as well.
One advantage to the consumer of keeping alcohol sales separate from other retail items is that the alcohol specialty outlets usually carry a wider inventory to choose from. Picking up a case of beer at WalMart may (or may not) save a few cents, but that undercuts sales (and availability) of other retailers who would offer a wider selection in their specialized inventory.