Evergreen state voters won a major victory yesterday for smaller government, a growing economy, and economic freedom. Huzzah! EVERYONE TO THE COSTCO TO BUY BOOZE! The Seattle Times takes a sip:
Beginning June 1, grocery stores in Washington will begin selling liquor. [ . . .]
The state budgeting office figures the number of outlets selling liquor will jump from 328 to 1,428. It also expects the change to generate an average of $80 million more in annual revenue for the state and local governments over the next six years.
Some liquor prices are expected to drop, although not as low as in California, because Washington will keep its high liquor taxes.
Through extensive journalistic contortions, the Times manages to frame this increased consumer freedom, expanded market, lower costs, and enhanced state revenue as a negative. Consider:
Distributors particularly dislike that I-1183 allows retailers to buy liquor directly from distilleries. Since Prohibition ended, states have required retailers to go through distributors for liquor, and experts say Washington now might be the only state to tear down that law.
Small wineries, craft distilleries and neighborhood grocery-store owners also worry about how they will compete in a market that favors large players. I-1183 allows stores measuring at least 10,000 square feet to sell liquor, and makes it legal for retailers to get volume discounts on liquor and wine, and to warehouse those products themselves rather than using distributors.
So the main problem is that the monopoly on middle-men, with its attendant opportunities for price inflation, waste, cronyism, etc, is gone? THE HORROR. My enthusiasm might seem incongruous, given my repeated exhortations against voting. I assure you, it’s not (just) the booze talking.
Don’t vote for politicians. Voting on community-centric issues like this is an important activity. Politicians of all stripes will disappoint us. If we use our votes directly to make ourselves more free (and more free swinging), that’s for the best. Hey Virginia, why don’t you take a lesson?
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I like how many words they used to say “Alcohol will be cheaper, and the people who used to sell it to you for more money aren’t happy about it.”