Enemy of Free Market Retires

By Matthew Hayward

Happy Bill of Rights Day! Opening the paper this morning to read retiring liquor control board chair Sharon Foster's passionate comments against the free market was wonderful.

While the privatization of liquor sales was voter-approved, Sharon says it was "the dumbest thing we ever did in our state." She then went on to point out that privatization has "led to higher prices and increased shoplifting of alcohol, especially by minors. We've heard stories there may be alcohol brokers in every high school,”

Let’s start with higher prices; the State is punishing the people with sin taxes and making more money than ever. Next shoplifting; yes, there will be an increase in shoplifting of a product when you now have the product. Sharon fails to mention adjustments made in security measures without State regulations.

When liquor was first opened up for sale in the general marketplace, many store owners foolishly placed their products insecurely in open aisles. In short, most stores moved their liquor into secured cases, behind registers, or very open areas near cash registers. Shoplifting has dropped dramatically after store owners promptly secured their assets.

Lastly, let’s talk about minors and high school. Long before the privatization of liquor sales, when I was in high school (1997), I sold liquor, beer, and cigarettes. Why? Because there was a market for them due to probation for minors and the scarcity of availability. It was easier to acquire marijuana in high school than alcohol, thus making business more lucrative.

The real issue surrounding minors and “alcohol brokers in every high school” is prohibition. If we simply legalized freedom, we would put the black market out of business.

Oddly Sharron recognizes that “another voter-approved initiative, the recreational sale of marijuana, needs amending. Lawmakers should lower marijuana taxes if the state wants to take business from the black market, she said.” Oddly, she understands the market when it comes to marijuana but not alcohol.

What is really disgusting is her role in helping “ban caffeinated malt liquor drinks.” In fact, that is what she hopes to be remembered by. “I’m very proud I was a part of that,” Foster said.

This is one statist I am excited to see leave. Sharon Foster exemplifies the nana state and could not be a more anti-free market. One day we can simply abolish the liquor control board altogether.

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