Dont get on much these days. The GXP section has slowed down as the pretty much minor annoyances have been covered. But I seen a newswire item that reminded me of a certain Administrator here and his fondness for beer and microbreweries in Washington State. It seems a Bill (no PUN intended) before the State Senate passed with a large majority that legalizes Beer and Wine sampling in grocery stores.

Why in the world would the government get involved in the marketing and consumption of a product they have spent so much time, money, and legislative effort on educating the public not to consume and drive??? This is an idea that is wrong for a hosts of reasons and bound to cause trouble. What kind of a message is it sending to kids when Mommy and Daddy Drive to the store and beer and wine taste. Not to mention alot of people are sensitive to the effects of alcohol, and society has already proven out so many cannot drink responsibly.

If a guy round robins the tasting booth for extra samples, or is enticed after a couple samples to stop at a Bar,.... and then plows into a van full of children..... Who'* liable. The store?, the government? The whole thing sounds like alot of legal problems and trouble, fueled by the Large Microbrewery and Winery business in Washinton lining the State'* legislators pockets to come up with this hairbrained concept.

NEWSFLASH:

The Government WANTS you to drink and smoke. They make oodles of money off it. Do as I say, not as I want.

Tobacco companies make an average of 11 CENTS per pack of cigarettes. The rest is manufacturing costs, distribution, and the largest chunk? Government taxes.

You really think our Government could survive without alcohol and tobacco tax revenue?

Venom, Newsflash!

This has been legal in Ohio for as long as I can remember. The thing in Ohio is that the samples have be sold for at least $.25 per sample.

Already legal in Oregon, too.

And even at 11 cent a pack they are some of the richest companies around aside from the fuel companies