Pubdate: Mon, 23 Jan 2006
Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK)
Copyright: 2006 The Anchorage Daily News
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18
Author: Carolyn Schubert

LIQUOR INDUSTRY LINES THE POCKETS OF LAWMAKERS WANTING TO OUTLAW POT

The Republican mouthpieces for the liquor industry are again intent on
re-criminalization of possession of marijuana.

The profitable business of being a legislator intent on remaining in
the Legislature dictates that they kowtow to the whims of some of
their bigger campaign contributors (the liquor industry) to enact laws
favorable to its continued profitability.

Alcohol is perfectly legal to own and possess. Alcohol generates big
business for the liquor industry, private attorneys, the court system,
the jails, law enforcement agencies, restaurants, towing and impound
businesses, alcohol abuse programs and hospitals that offer alcohol
abuse programs, insurance agencies, and the list goes on.

Despite the fact that it is legal to own and possess alcohol, it does
not take a rocket scientist to see the devastation caused in the wake
of alcohol and alcoholism.

Heaven forbid that we should jeopardize the source of some of our
election campaign contributors by failing to promote and support their
self-serving agenda -- especially if we are up for re-election, right?

Looks to me like some of our legislators are like a bull with a ring
in its nose being pulled around by the perfectly legal (though
frightfully deadly) liquor industry.

Carolyn Schubert

Anchorage
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin