Local governments tap alcohol sales for revenue

[SpartanDem]

(AP) HARRISON, Ark. — Dee Gusewelle used to rail against the sale of alcohol, posting signs in her yard and encouraging neighbors and passersby to keep booze out of this patch of northern Arkansas.

But now that her county has dumped its ban on the sale of alcohol, she and her husband are doing something that would have been unthinkable — and illegal — just months ago: opening a liquor store.

"It's not like it's going to be Sodom and Gomorrah," Gusewelle said as customers lined up to buy beer at the gas station where she worked this summer.

For years, cities and counties across the South have been quietly throwing out Prohibition-era laws banning the sale of alcohol. But as local governments confront ever-greater budget problems, many are now tapping into booze as a source of untouched income. That means towns where preachers once condemned "demon rum" are now counting on six-packs and cheap wine to make up for declining revenue.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/22/ap/business/main20110243.shtml

Ha so it was evil until they could make a buck from it. On the one hand it's still kinda shocking that places like this exsist. But then there is that old joke about the best way to keep a Bapist from drinking all your beer while fishing it to bring two of them.

[provis99]

1. heh. Now that's the Southerners I know and love!

they don't mind being labeled hypocrites, as long as they can make some money on it!

[Initech]

2. My dad's hometown in Kentucky recently opened their first bar since the 1800's.

I'm not complaining! :toast: