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Friday, February 15, 2008
Sunday alcohol sales hostage to GOP
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Citizens of the Peach State hoping that the ascendancy of the Republican Party as the majority party in state government would usher in an era of individual liberty consistent with the oft-pronounced GOP philosophy of individual responsibility and less government power, have yet to witness any significant evidence of that since the Republicans took over the governorship and the state House and Senate several years ago. This gulf between talk of less government restriction on personal freedom and the reality of government control, is evident in public comments by the Republican Senate leadership, the lieutenant governor and Governor Sonny Perdue, refusing to even allow formal consideration of referenda on Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages in grocery and convenience stores.
While many Republican legislators speak often and eloquently of individual freedom and responsibility, and of supporting small businesses, when it comes to listening to the majority of citizens - 65 percent according to a recent poll - who favor Sunday alcohol sales, the voice of the people apparently counts for nothing. In fact, the governor has indicated clearly that even were the legislature to pass legislation allowing local jurisdictions to hold referenda allowing Sunday sales, he would veto the bill. Senate leaders reportedly have refused even to hold hearings on the legislation.
So much for responsive, representative government in Georgia. And so much for the possibility of Sunday alcohol sales, at least for the time being.
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