Greetings from Obamaland…Oops, I Mean Greece

Townhall.com ^ | March 30, 2014 | Daniel J. Mitchell

[Verginius Rufus]

If Wikipedia is right, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is not a direct descendant of Eleftherios Venizelos but a great-nephew—Venizelos was the uncle of Kyriakos’ father Konstantinos Mitsotakis (b. 1918), born in Khania (where Venizelos was from and is buried).

[SatinDoll]

The following caught my attention and many of you may agree with my observation:

“..The government has rules, for instance, that products such as aspirin [liquor] and other painkillers can only be purchased at pharmacies [state liquor stores]. The bureaucracy also rigs all the prices...”

Recently in the state of Washington there was an election where the state liquor stores were abolished. Now I can go into any market and buy a bottle of booze.

Surprise! The prices have come way down.

So, do you live in a state with liquor control, such as Washington used to have? I know Pennsylvania used to; are there any others?

[bigheadfred]

"Alcoholic Beverage Control is a division of the Idaho State Police responsible for the control of alcoholic beverages in the state. The Idaho State Liquor Dispensary maintains a monopoly on the sale of all alcoholic beverages that exceed 16% alcohol by volume. The ABC enforces Title 23 - Alcoholic Beverages IDAPA 11 Title 05 Chapter 01."

[Democrat_media]

We need a statement in the constitution that says:

separation of state and the economy

separation of state and businesses

[Billthedrill]

OK, dang it, it looks like the Greeks are onto us. Here's a map of Europe as they see it through U.S. eyes.

It's not true at all! Well, maybe only a little.

OK, it's true. But about that "Democracy" part - we have to talk.

[Kaslin]

Democracy originated in Athens, Greece

[Billthedrill]

No fooling?

[steve86]

Recently in the state of Washington there was an election where the state liquor stores were abolished. Now I can go into any market and buy a bottle of booze. Surprise! The prices have come way down.

NO!!! Prices have gone WAY UP (including taxes). Typically more in the past year than in the following example.

People complained that prices in private stores were higher, and generally they were. The average retail price per liter sold, including tax, was $23.87 in May 2013, up from $21.07 the year before.

[steve86]

Editorial: Liquor privatization a year later

[SatinDoll]

All I can say, is move to Longview. Everything is on sale because booze ain’t selling.

[Ezekiel]

>>>As much as I condemn American politicians for bad policy, things could be worse.

We could be Greek citizens, which would be very depressing. Indeed, you’ll understand why I put Obamaland in the title after you read today’s column. <<<

Re: the funny map

But about that "Democracy" part - we have to talk.

Daniel 8

21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom [sing.], when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

Verse 23

"fierce countenance" = strong-faced (az panim), idiom for insolent, brazen, audacious

"understanding dark sentences" = (mavin chidot) one knowledgeable/expert in enigmas (an enigma maven)

...things could be worse. We could be Greek citizens...

The Enigma of Barack Obama
Obama a “Riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma”

[goodnesswins]

Just curious....why have prices risen? I see that the State still gets its taxes (9.7%)....but, would have thought prices would have dropped....maybe because private organizations had to build infrastructure?

[null and void]

The Enigma of Barack Obama
Obama a “Riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enema”

There.

Fixed...

[VanShuyten]

Are people buying more expensive booze, or has the price of each brand gone up?

[PGR88]

Once again - a nation ultimately gets the government it deserves.

Ask yourself - what kind of government does the USA deserve?

[steve86]

I would say definitely not the more expensive booze with the economy as it is.

Our friend owns the largest private liquor store operation here in the Tri-Cities and is always telling us how the point-of-sale taxes are killing his business. Prices look cheap when you see the label at Safeway or somewhere sans tax and then the shock comes in when the customer sees the final bill.

Additionally, he can’t sell directly to restaurants competitively against the distributors who have the supply chain locked up. They are able to offer discounts that a retailer can’t legally or practically match.

[Billthedrill]

The Democracy thing died in 406 BC. It was always subject to the passions of the mob guided by a perfervid demagogue, and after the battle of Arginusae six of the eight victorious generals were executed after being accused of insufficient effort to collect the bodies of the dead. The Athenians had a particular horror of drowning, but that is no excuse. One of the executed was the son of Pericles.

Democracy would later disgrace itself by voting the death of Socrates under similar storms of passion. Neither Plato nor Aristotle ever forgave it, and they had cause.

[9YearLurker]

There are 18 of ‘em:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_beverage_control_state

[SatinDoll]

Thanks. I didn’t think to look in Wikipedia.