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Utah leaders want liquor laws a little less odd

Why is that, when it comes to liquor in this state, 'normalize' doesn't mean 'normalize,' it always seems to mean 'being weird and overcontrolling in a slightly different way than we did before'?

None of the current laws, nor any that state lawmakes will pass, will prevent overconsumption, DUI's, or any of the other problems they profess they're trying to solve. All they do is increase the perception of this state's inability to keep church and state seperate. These laws, and their many oddities, are Mormon laws, they are in place because Mormonism preaches that alcohol consumption is a sin and this state's goverment bends to the will of the LDS church. These laws solve nothing, they just reinforces the negative perceptions that so many people have while attempting, unsuccessfully, to impose one church's will on a population comprised of many diverse people.

Why??!!

Could any laws concerning liquor, or any other unhealthy vices, be any 'Less Odd' than the hysterical laws and witch-hunt mentality against tobacco.

Strange.

I listened a news report as politicians explained how they planned to change the state liquor laws to be more, "progressive." Oddly, some of the bar owners weren't as excited about some of the changes as were government officials. The legislature dictating higher alcohol content in mixed drinks served in private clubs had owners concerned about their civil liability for intoxicated patrons.

How about the novel idea of scrapping the entire private club concept, move liquor sales from state stores to private ownership...or even consulting bar owners & patrons regarding changes before a bunch of non-drinking public officials start passing new laws and regulations?

Here's a couple of thoughts:

If liquor sales are an issue of moral depravity, why has the state regulated itself into a position as liquor's largest public purveyor?

If liquor is no longer considered an issue of public turpitude, why is the state still attempting to regulate and mirco-manage all liquor sales?

Instead of more laws and regulation, why not privitize liquor sales? Bars and liquor stores should be a matter of local city zoning. We're past prohibition. The state has recognized consumption should be a matter of personal chioce--so why continued state regulation?

Here's an idea... With the purchase of a club membership in Utah, you get a one night's stay at a Wendover hotel & casino of your choice, and some tickets to some free shows.

I've always wanted to see Jay Leno and Celine Dion perform in Wendover, and try some of their mouth-watering prime rib they have in their fine dining establishments!

We now know what some of the legislators think... but what does the L.D.S. leadership think? That's what really counts. Oh yeah, I forgot. "The church" stays out of politics. And we wonder why Mitt is suspect to the rest of the nation. The clue is found in Utah.

Maybe the legislature should spend time making drunk driving laws less liberal and liquor by the drink a little more liberal. After living away from Utah for many years and returning it seem that the drunk driver is treated with soft hands when they should be slapped really hard on the first offense and ultimatly spend hard time in a State Prison by the third offense.

Utah need to have stronger laws reguarding the Drunk Driver who has multiple DUI's and still can obtain a drivers license. We are to soft in this area and too tight on the serving laws. Lets get it right!!!