Vote NO on Tuesday
People who move into the Bible Belt find it a little peculiar when they discover that there are places in this country that do not sell alcohol. Growing up in Central and Eastern Kentucky it was just a part of life. When Georgetown first went wet in order to attract restaurants I was in favor because I don’t have a problem with alcohol consumption, and actually enjoy a good beer or glass of wine with my meal.
However, I do not believe that allowing packaged sales is a good thing for three reasons that mostly pertain to the poor.
1. Vote NO because it’s cheaper than going into a restaurant and buying it. Now this may seem like an oxymoron, but for low income folks this could be disastrous. I see the terrible impact of the pain killer epidemic in Georgetown every week. Providing the opportunity for them to walk to their gas station and buy alcohol will only introduce a new temptation to drown their problems instead of face them. Those who hold a job, and are productive members of our community can afford the inconvenience.
2. Vote NO because it’s more convenient. Once again this may seem oxymoronic, but the fact that people now have to put gas in their car in order to go to the liquor store places a hurdle that many need to have in order to help them make the right choice between saving money for their rent or buying a 12-pack of beer. Those who hold a job, and are productive members of our community can afford the inconvenience.
3. Vote NO because it may increase the burden that we as a community already have by increasing the jobless and homeless and by increasing the need for alcohol related counseling. Sure we are a damp county already (alcohol in restaurants), and that need existed even when we were dry, but the need is likely to increase far beyond our capacity to deal with it as a community if we go Wet. This is not something even a productive member of our community can afford.
The “No” proponents warned that once Scott County went damp the “Yes” proponents wouldn’t stop with restaurants. In many cases being damp may have caused us to grow numb to the negative influence that alcohol availability can have in a community. I would encourage everyone who reads this to be content with our current alcohol policy, and be a little different than the rest of the world.
Vote No on July 31st.
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Drinking is something that I personally see contains very little value, if any. It is offensive to many and causes much pain because of it’s abuse. If it is offensive do we as Christians say, get with the times or should we do what 1st Corinthians tells us to do when our food offends someone? Is alcohol exempt from the intent of this scripture because it is not a food? I know it could be said, well if someone told me they were offended I would stop drinking in front of them. I think it may be to late at that point because of the stigma and pain associated with alcohol. It alters the mind at even the slightest amount, then depending on how many drinks you have, you go from feeling good to not knowing how good you feel.
People are told not to drink and drive yet we allow it to be sold in restaurants, bars and convenience stores. These establishments know very well that because beer is sold cold and some drinks are sold on ice (or room temperature) that many if not most will drive with some level of blood alcohol in their body. They sell it ready to drink.
I have seen the pain and death caused from alcohol from working as a firefighter/ paramedic in Florida to my current job. I have seen it destroy members of my own family.
Those who say this will help the economy, I say be honest. It’s not about that, it’s all about convenience. The alcohol in restaurants did not solve Georgetown’s problems and neither will this. If someone thinks more money will go to law enforcement, well I hope so, as well as more medics, more firefighters, more haz-mat…
With smart growth comes success, with desperate growth come failure.
I will not cast any stones at those who choose to drink but I would rather people do it in the safety of their house away from others trying to get home to their families.
Randle, thanks for reading and commenting. However, I wonder what our society would do if the prohibition of speeding was suddenly removed? What about the prohibition of murder? What about the prohibition of sex slavery? While the reality is that sin is ultimately behind the abuses of life, and that Jesus provides the ONLY answer for sin it does not mean that a society should not prohibit the opportunity for it.
Learn your history. Prohibition doesn’t work, for reference see 1920-1933.
You must change behavior and teach discipline, not remove the temptation. What will be next? Ban cars (tempted to drive fast), ban facebook (tempted to be self-absorbed), ban women (tempted to lust after)… The list will never stop.
I am glad you posted this, we passed a VOTE YES sign this morning and I was not even aware that was being voted on right now! Good to know and I will gladly vote NO.
Thanks for the info…