So, Suddenly Alcohol Is OK? - By Taylor Grin

Taylor Grin was Dixie Sun's News Editor and author of
Dixie Sun's "Leaning Left," which ran from 2011-12 and
is to-date the most read column on Dixie Sun's webpage.
Check out Taylor's blog for more "editorials, news
and random musings."

TAYLOR GRIN'S BLOG | THE SKEWED REVIEW | NEWS & POLITICS 

The title may be deceptive, so let me start by saying: I’m no enemy of alcohol.

But Utah legislators have always seemed to be, which makes their recent about-face all the more perplexing.

To cover a $25 million education budget shortfall (read: numbers bollocksing to such a high degree, it makes you wonder if the legislators themselves should have had a higher budget while at school) Utah legislators bum-rushed 90 additional liquor licenses through congress.

Utah has 31 licenses on the waiting list right now, and it’s been a common complaint among Utah businesses that profits are held down by Puritan drinking restrictions. Shortages of alcohol and bans on dancing make Utah look something like an episode of the Little House on the Prairie to outsiders and limits huge profits on tourists who come for hiking, climbing, skiing and the rest of the outdoorsing that draws them in from around the world.

I’m glad Utah is adding liquor to the menu at another 90 restaurants. But doesn’t this just reek of hypocrisy?

For years legislators enforced a deadlock on liquor availability, creating a veritable nanny state on adult decision. What makes this really funny (in a nihilistic way) is how many libertarian Republicans cry fowl at attempts to legislate health in Utah, only to turn around and do just that where alcohol is concerned.

To me, this shows just how loose the “morals” of our legislators are. They’ll do everything to toe the line of the moral majority in the state, but the moment the proverbial crap hits the fan, they abandon their conviction and jump into a money-making route they should have adopted 20 years ago.

Maybe I’m overreacting, but I’m tired of the moralistic nanny state that is Utah, and the perpetual hypocrisy of its representatives at every level. From the anti-youth dance zoning in St. George to the stranglehold on alcohol at the state-level our representatives show they are only concerned with representing a dwindling community largely consisting of retired, rich Pioneer-stock.

To be fair, someone might say, “But they added liquor licenses; what more do you want?”

Do you think they’ll stay once the reps have covered their butts? Let’s see some quotes, from the Salt Lake Tribune:

“I think we need to start out with a recognition that alcohol is regulated because it is a harmful product. It does harm when used in excess,” Mike Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said. “It is in the State of Utah’s best interest to protect its citizens, especially its youth, and I think that’s something we’re trying to do here.”

“The purpose of our alcohol policy cannot just be to attract restaurants to our state,” Jack Draxler, R-North Logan, said. We are headed in a direction we should not be headed.”

Also according to the SLC Tribune, the LDS Church was consulted on the decision. So there you have it: Our legislators are pro-business, anti-nanny state. Until that policy conflicts with their Mormon values.

Funny that our legislators are 80 percent LDS while the state population of Mormons hovers around 50 percent. Pardon me for wanting democratic representation.

Let’s offer a different scenario, with Utah freed from the yoke of 19th century attitude.

Imagine the community growth St. George could experience with more liquor-bearing restaurants and youth-friendly dance halls. Southern Utahns might skip Vegas entirely, and tourists could spend much more money, alleviating some of the worst effects of this recession.

But for now, it looks like the battle hymn will be “Backward Christian Soldiers.”