How Does a Wine Monopoly Lose Money? (Answer: When it is run by the Government)

Reason ^ | 09/05/2011 | Jacob Sullum

[ProtectOurFreedom]

My folks lived in Pennsylvania for 40 years. I’ve never seen a more dysfunctional system for selling alcohol anywhere in the nation. It is appalling the the liquor distributors have such a stranglehold on Harrisburg.

This kiosk program is sheer lunacy. Another perfect example of government stupidity at work.

Another example disproving Obama’s absolutely stupid statement about car companies not knowing how their markets behave and government knowing better (ie, that they shouldn’t make trucks and SUVs, but rather EVs).

Just how does the country manage to keep electing such rotten governments?

[penelopesire]

This sounds like something out of Scrappleface....or Atlas Shrugged.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Looks like he’s getting ready to barf into the meter. Wouldn’t take much to put one of those out of commission.

I’d take the risk of selling wine to winos any day over this sort of money wasting silliness. Even lefty Illinois, where Rats and RINOs are king, does it right, it’s all private here.

[Erik Latranyi]

...the kiosks dispense a limited selection of wines at limited locations and times (not on Sunday, of course!) to customers who present ID, look into a camera monitored by a state employee, breathe into a blood-alcohol meter, and swipe a credit card.

They forgot to get a stool sample as well!

[cc2k]

From the article:

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When they are working, the kiosks dispense a limited selection of wines at limited locations and times (not on Sunday, of course!) to customers who present ID, look into a camera monitored by a state employee, breathe into a blood-alcohol meter, and swipe a credit card.

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What, not a full set of finger prints, a retina scan and urinalysis?

Geez, who though anyone would buy anything from a machine like that. I never need a bottle of wine enough to go through that.

And the whole "breathe into a blood alcohol meter" thing? Ewwwww!

[mylife]

You can’t buy a 6 pack in that state.
You have to buy a case from a state approved beverage distribution center.

[Winstons Julia]

Today I learned that there are Orwellian wine vending machines.

Whodathunk that idea would fail?

[ZOOKER]

Sounds like their mistake was they didn't take it far enough...

They should outlaw all other liquor stores, ban the sale of all fruits and vegetables that might be used for fermentation, then erect a 30-ft. fence around the state to form a captive market.

I know it sounds like Gulag, but it's really Utopia...

[JSteff]

Just how does the country manage to keep electing such rotten governments?
It was not an accident. More than half the folks voting selected him to lead our country. About half of them still think he is doing a good job and in the recent TX poll show him leading over ALL GOP candidates.

Fools

[free me]

You can’t buy a 6 pack from the State Stores but you can buy one from your local convenience store. For about %20 more than neighboring NJ, where I buy mine while visiting, which is a pretty serious crime here in PA.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“They forgot to get a stool sample as well!”

Well,,, you have to pass it, before you know what’s in it!

“His report attributes the failure largely to mechanical problems “

Kinda like the stamp vending machines in my post office? Gone, due to constant malfunctions. What did that cost we taxpayers?

Here in Ohio, our selections are very limited. The little package store on Anna Maria Island, Florida, had 80 different kinds of Rum! I was in Heaven! Here in Ohio, You’re lucky if you can find a store that sells two of the many Rums that Mt. Gay makes.

[JSteff]

I’ve never seen a more dysfunctional system for selling alcohol anywhere in the nation.

Now remember, the PLCB has morphed into a government entity to support a union. That is all the PLCB really does. Customer service is the last thing on their menu, if at all.

No Sunday sales, no later evening sales, reduced or nonexistent holiday sales. A large majority of the employees are down right condescending, often out right nasty.

[JSteff]

And the whole "breathe into a blood alcohol meter" thing?

Worse, it tongues you back to get a saliva sample, and gather cell for a DNA records check!

[JSteff]

I know it sounds like Gulag, but it's really Utopia...
That already exists and it's name is the state of Pennsylvania.

[Smber]

If you purchase beer in a PA distributorship or beer store, you’re forced to purchase a full case (24 bottles) even if you don’t want that much beer. It makes no sense and, once again, distorts the relationship between buyer and seller. What’s the reason for this?

[mylife]

I haven’t been to Pa in a while.

[pyx]

"We think the wine kiosk program has failed," Wagner said at a press conference, "and it needs dramatic, radical changes if the program is going to continue to exist."

NOTE WELL PENNSYLVANIA: Pennsylvanian Taxpayers are about to be suckered Chicago style by Obama and friends.

The entire batch of machines will suddenly disappear and then reappear at far more profitable locations under different ownership by an Obama friend within a couple of months. The new "owner" will have purchased the entire batch of machines for the total miracle price of $100.00.

[free me]

It’s as bad as you remembered, from a booze standpoint. I was just adding a little more info.

[pyx]

Under new ownership, the vending machines will of course, will be exempt and unencumbered by any of the former restrictions and ... ahem ... "TESTS" that were conducted.