Comments about ‘Huntsman urges more 'normalcy' in state liquor laws’

First off great job gov! Let's remove the private club law which is by far the most bizzar stupid law in america . People out side of utah hate everyone here because of the weird laws. The Church Should stay out of it because they are not the lawmakers they are not apart of the state goverment period...... That's why people hate utah and mormons because they try to control everyone buy influance im sure 90 percent of the lawmakers in utah are mormon so they just read a statment saying they dont approve and it dont happen..Thats why rommney got the treatment he got outside of utah they are on to the church and they see it for what it really is and it's sad cuz utah is a great place.

The church DOES need to stay out of it and thats why I think they need move non-mormons making laws, so its fair 50/50. What is it anyones business if someone drinks thats not mormon, to be punished with such harsh laws. Utah could be bigger. If it takes Chipotle like 4 months to get a liquor license, something is wrong! VERY WRONG! and besides that State Liquor store sales are up they have to build more its just a way for the state to make money, they also need to let go of the alchohol content law too, it should be normal everywhere else. Its like giving u a 50% cigarette, or the burget without the meat, how stupid.

One of the things people like most about Utah is the fact that we show a lot of courtesy to people of a variety of beliefs. I suggest that in this discussion we continue to do the same. Perhaps of greatest importance is to consider the children and youth, and the impact of increased consumption of alcohol. Is that what we want for them? Looking at careful studies over the years, it has become clear to many observers that Utah has a low level of alcohol consumption because of careful controls, which particularly benefit the youth, as well as keeping crime and automobile accidents low. Adults who want to use alcohol are not adversely affected by our present laws. I am sad to learn that Governor Huntsman advocates a change, merely to increase tourism. The economic boost would come at the expense of a moral decline. I thought he had a higher regard for our youth, and hopefully he does and will realize that this would be a serious mistake. Let's remember the family values that have made Utah the best place to live. That is what will increase tourism far more than a little more alcohol.

Utah should not become just like everyone else.
What do you people want. More drunk drivers, more pregnant teenages, more broken homes.
People do not come to Utah to get hammer at a bar. They go to Nevada. What will Huntsman advocate next, legalized gambling? Legalized prostitution?
I am sad that I ever voted for Huntsman. I thought he had the backbone to stand up to those who think we should do things just to be like everyone else.
Utah does not need to be normal. Its strength is in its being exception not normal. This is the stupidest idea ever.

David the idea that reforming our drinking laws would some how lead to a moral decline in the state is a pretty dumb argument. Utah is not any safer, does not have any better education,and is no way benefitted from having ridiculous liquor laws that cost the state millions to enforce. Its fine if people dont drink, in fact it should be encouraged. But it should not be regulated the way Utah does it, for being such a conservative state we sure to do like the state telling us what we can and can't do. Kids are going to drink one way or another its just how it goes, the smart thing is talk to them about the dangers and if they are going to drink anyway make sure they know how to drink safely

Utah has a low level of alcohol consumption because a large portion of the population has vowed not to drink. Availability really has nothing to do with it.

I still have trouble finding the common ground in "free agency" and "restriction of choices" where the church is concerned. They say you're free to make your own choices and then they take choices off the table. I think that's wrong.

David, I appreciate your concerns. But I agree with Mike. Availability (or lack thereof) of alcohol is not a determining factor in lower consumption. It's the religious commitment of the majority of the population that keeps consumption in check. As for substance-related crime, Utah should focus its resources on a REAL detriment to society and cause of crime - crystal methamphetamine. Utah is one of the top of producers in the nation and it has been and continues to be the #1 drug of choice of youth in Utah since 2001. Those who are drink in moderation should not have to endure pointless obstacles and be treated like criminals.

Bravo to Gov. Huntsman to have the courage and realistic understanding to push this initiative forward!

as those before me have stated..

Bravo to Gov. Huntsman to have the courage and realistic understanding to push this initiative forward!

David: Making alcohol harder to get will not prevent anyone from drinking, additionally, laxed alcohol laws do not lead to an increase in broken homes and teen pregnancies. Children "exposed" to people who drink do just fine, as those of us who have raised our kids in areas where Mormons are a tiny minority have found out. Alcohol isn't the end of the world. I follow the word of wisdom, but I'm not about to stop another person from drinking so long as they're willing to do so responsibly. Most adults know how to do that.

"Utah's liquor laws need to keep moving toward 'greater normalcy' so the state's travel and tourism industry can continue to grow, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said Thursday."

Hey Gov. Huntsman, why not show the people who actually live in your state a little love and normalize the liquor laws for US, not outstaters!

Ahh yes another chance for those against the Mormon Church to hate on Mormons and for Mormons to call down those who are not of their faith. Both sides are lame. . . why? because calling names and taking pot shots at either side is stupid. Regardless of what state you live in people vote for laws, people also vote for lawmakers who they feel best represent their view. Well let's vote on it and quit whining and calling names.

I agree with one side on this issue but it doesn't mean I will call EITHER side out because it is stupid. We live in a democracy, if those who are Mormon don't like what Huntsman proposes then don't vote for him. If you don't like Mormons then vote against them and those who push their laws, should you not have enough options in leadership to represent your style, tough.

Laws do not take away agency, which I am sure Gov. Huntsman understands, you STILL have a choice whether it is legalized or not. Either way both sides try closing their mouths and get involved rather than continuing your boo hooing about each other.

JP

Las Vegas

thats why people do not like mmormons in general because they want to control people who live here and have them act as they do ! they need to wake up and see the big picture ! the state of utah would make millions in revenue if the liquor laws were trashed completely, people are going to drink alcohol anyway ! remember mesquite is a 25 minute drive to go and purchase liquor, and when that happens nevada gets the tax money etc. , instead of utah !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you have to remember that jesus and his apostles drank wine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Huntsman is a real piece of work. Chavitz was his right hand man and now he won't even openly support him.

We pay a staggering price for those who insist on drugging themselves with alcohol. We all have to pay a price for those who do. Free agency, yes, but there is accountbility whether we like it or not. I am free to use crack if I want too, but if I choose to do so, there will be consequenses! I know a young man who thought it was great fun to drink. He stated, "he didn't believe in the word of wisdom and that NO one was going to tell him how to live HIS life." One night after getting drunk, he drove home and hit a woman killing her and her baby. That young man is in prison today. I wonder if he believes in the word of wisdom now? Agency and accoutability cannot be separate. If we dance, we will pay the fiddler! And this has nothing to do with the LDS church..it is a fact of life.

If we make Utah like Nevada, everyone would love us and the state would get rich! If you really look at Nevada (and other states) you would see that the state spends far more money on problems caused by alcohol that it takes in on taxes on booze.(welfare costs, drunk driving costs to police and others, alcohol recovery programs, higher car insurance rates--and on and on).
Gov. Huntsman, this is a BAD idea! If you guys want to drink, go to Nevada, but please stay off the highways but know this: you, your loved ones and the rest of us will suffer at some point because of your choice.

I have lived here for 1 year, and I love the state and the people. However, I have lived in 5 other states in this great country of ours, and Utah is the first that I have lived where liquor is treated like a controlled substance. It is worth noting that the other states in which I lived had strong families as well. Utah does have a huge perception problem, and those who have lived here all their lives probably don't care. But the bottom line is normalizing drinking laws would make Utah a much more attractive destination during ski season. Let's face it, without the ski resorts there is no tourism industry for SLC (no one comes to see the lake). More people would come to Utah than Colorado, because we do have the best powder. More corporations would locate here to take advantage of the labor market, and fewer residents would take their money across the border. I have no dog in this fight, but I would welcome the growth in industry as it would only increase the value of my home that has depreciated since I bought it a year ago!

The first alcohol law that should be reformed is the Underage Drinking Law. The drinking age should be lowered to 18. It's insulting that lawmakers in this country think that those between 18 and 20 are mature enough to go to war, sit on a jury that makes life and death decisions, be thrown in jail, and vote, but doesn't believe they are mature enough to have a drink. Too bad the neoprohibitionists have such influence in the wacky Utah Legislature!