tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591881213265091346.post7896183182037204129..comments2024-03-13T11:10:25.333-04:00Comments on Why The PLCB Should Be Abolished: Is Privatization Bad for your Health?Lew Brysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591881213265091346.post-32864195274733995102011-06-21T15:30:42.435-04:002011-06-21T15:30:42.435-04:00I think the study makes sense, but it's still ...I think the study makes sense, but it's still no reason not to privatize.<br /><br />Everybody agrees that the state store system makes booze more expensive than the true market price. So if you privatize, alcohol will be cheaper on net. When stuff gets more expensive, people buy less of it, and when it gets cheaper, they buy more of it. So it's perfectly reasonable to expect consumption to increase.<br /><br />Now, the alcohol industry is not making most of its money from guys like me that have a beer or two every day. They're making most of their profits from the problem drinkers who drink a case every day. And if the price goes down, that's going to get way worse.<br /><br />That's why I'm for market prices, but higher taxes to keep the price constant. A straight gallonage tax based on alcohol content would be the best option in my view.Jon Geetinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18016281689989655259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591881213265091346.post-26690272883887578732011-06-21T10:41:47.021-04:002011-06-21T10:41:47.021-04:00If the consumption in these states is up 48% as al...If the consumption in these states is up 48% as alleged, can anyone track a similar increase in production or distribution to match these numbers? Shouldn't Diageo, AB-InBev, etc. be doing at least 25% better in these states? Or can they document a drop in "consumption" in the adjoining states--not in percentages, but in units being sold?Alexander D. Mitchell IVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16063927891723178579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591881213265091346.post-68833566561029348082011-06-21T10:37:02.663-04:002011-06-21T10:37:02.663-04:00I think you're being a little too hard on this...I think you're being a little too hard on this study, Lew. Of course you're right that some people cross borders, but not enough to affect sales that dramatically. <br /><br />It makes perfect sense that making something more accessible would increase sales. Ending prohibition doubled the number of drinkers, decriminalizing marijuana would mean more pot smokers, and taking alcohol sales out of the PLCB's hands would sell more booze. That's part of the point. <br /><br />I think you hit on it perfectly though when you note that a rise in use does not mean a rise in abuse, though. All it necessarily means is a rise in tax revenue, which is a good thing.Greghttp://www.pourcurator.comnoreply@blogger.com