Ah, it's sweet when another dopey plan by the PLCB is a complete failure. WGAL-TV in Lancaster is reporting that the Wegmans grocery store chain has requested the PLCB to remove the wine kiosks from their stores. Check out the story here; and you can read the actual letter here. It's wonderful to be so right about something; the wine kiosks have been an unadulterated disaster. They were unwieldy, they were insulting, they were the result of graft and crap, they were another desperate and obvious attempt to stave off privatization, but worst of all, they didn't even work. Permit me a little gloating; it is so good to have been so right about this.
Enjoy this video from two Californians baffled and bemused by The Wonderful Wink Kiosk!
What's next? Well, it's not good, unfortunately. Because Senator John Pippy is apparently losing the guts to push for privatization. He's wimping out and talking about settling for some of the alternatives the PLCB is suggesting. I've got a better idea, Senator Pippy; how about you listen to the citizens of Pennsylvania, who continue to support privatization at a ratio of 2:1 or better? How about you consider that instead of the pleas of a bunch of entrenched bureaucrats who don't give a damn about anything but their jobs, their budgets, their secure power? Why keep this fossil, reeking of 70+ years of patronage and patronization? Cui bono, Senator?
lol best gloat I've read in a while. Did you see this video of this couple from LA making fun of the wine kiosks?
ReplyDeletehttp://earlyreturns.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/early-returns-20/53-post-gazette-staff/2844-la-tv-makes-fun-of-lcb-kiosks
Lew, despite a recent push in the state legislature for privitization you have been very, very quiet. I expected a lot more soap boxing to push this through.
ReplyDeleteI've been quiet because I've been wicked busy, Rich. Not much on any of my blogs. Hope to get back in the swing after Philly Beer Week. I do apologize.
ReplyDeleteLew,you inspired me to start a blog with the same unifying theme. Check out:
ReplyDeletewww.happyprivateer.com
One thing no one is talking about in the privatization debate. Will the State retain the distribution system. If the state retains distribution it will never work. How will bars and restaurants get their wine and liquor. Will private distributors be permitted to sell directly to the retail stores and the bars and restaurants. How much will the state be charging for a retail liquor license.
ReplyDeleteMartin, that'sgoing to come down to what is in the eventual privatization bill that's proposed. I agree: I do NOT want the state to retain its wholesale monopoly. I also want to see a hard look at how hugely high our liquor taxes are.
ReplyDeleteTo make it Mad Magazine funny, after you go through the 4:00 minute process, the machine drops the bottle like a candy machine would, and every bottle breaks! Then it would be perfect!
ReplyDelete