Stories From the Nanny State: Banning Four Lokos

If you haven't heard, the Washington State Liquor Control Board decided to ban Four Loko. After the events at Central Washington University, some people think Four Loko is too dangerous to have in stores. The stories of “blackout in a can” are all over the media.

Basic summary: Nine helpless CWU students were sickened after drinking too much of the lime and fruit punch flavored Four Loko after a rigorous Friday night of studying.

The whole Four Loko ban in and of itself is useless. So the state banned an energy drinks that contain alcohol...what’s going to stop people from buying energy drinks AND alcohol? Also, there are other alcoholic energy drinks on the market such as Sparks and Joose. Even Starbucks sells a coffee liquor to put in your super-powered lattes. So what’s the point of banning it? Underage drinking will still go on. People will still get “cocaine in a can,” as ABC News put it, but under different names, so what has the nanny state really accomplished?

The lesson to be taken away from this is the individuals in question should have known better. We should focus on educating people on the dangers of these drinks, not banning them. As previously stated, you can still make these drinks by combining energy drinks and alcoholic beverages, or simply buy other energy-alcohol drinks. The only way to stop or limit underage drinking is education in the home and enforcement of the laws on the streets. The best way to summarize this issue is a comment someone posted on The Seattle Times website in regards to this issue:

“Dear Washington State liquor Board.... I'm sorry to inform you that your application to be my mother has been denied.” – Unknown

FWI: You can still buy Four Loko in Idaho and Canada.

Dr. Drew on Health Care

Short, sweet and to the point.

Thank You for Smoking

This just in FDA health panel discovers smoking can kill you. In order to drive this issue home the FDA has crafted new labels to include on cigarettes. Lucky the cost of printing  billions of additional color labels will own help stimulated the economy. Thus helping smokers everywhere quit smoking and employ people in the printing business. (That last parts is a lie).

Honesty the FDA must be running out of idea for how to convince people and had to turned to Hollywood for inspiration. This idea was the underlining plot for the 2005 film Thank you for smoking. In the film after a comical and emotional debate between the lobbyist and the panel of senator. The idea is shot down after they discuss the including of  warning signs on air plans and on fast food. But this whole idea of having to include the pictures on the cigarettes containers to further inform the public about the problem, is just an over extension of government influence. Like they said in the film, "if you can label cigarettes what would stop you from labeling anything and everything from cheddar cheese to air planes"?

This example of the nanny state, further shows the over zealous nature of the governments control. Instead of educating people and giving them the means to decide for themselves. They go after the companies and not the motivations or the rationals behind the actions of the people.

"The most oppressive leaders are those that believe that only through them will salvation be found. For they're not after the money of the people but there hearts and minds and will not be content until he controls both."--Martin Luther          

Where the Axe falls: Reducing the deficit

With the new officials in office real change is coming to Washington. The biggest issue on the minds of Americans and congress is the deficit. With the economy propped up by borrowed money, cuts and reductions will have to be made. But to whom will the axe fall? What programs will our legislatures cut?

Much of the hard choices that will have to made in the next two years, will be influence by us. As voters we have a say in what happens in the future of our nation. Which is why more then ever, we will have to be willing to write too and contact our senators and representatives to help them decide on what government programs to cut back on.


Reports of cuts to higher education funding is a very likely possibility. Along with reduction in number of staff for government agencies. But deciding which group will be hit the hardest relies realistically  not on who needs it more, but to whom the congressmen value the most. So if your worried about losing you benefits or college funding, contact your legislature. Voting is only a part of getting our nation headed in the right direction. Only by being involved will your voice be heard.   

A War of Attrition : Finding the Middle Ground

Everyone in office can agree we need to compromise, but which side will have to comprimise? The sad fact of life is which ever side does find the middle ground will feel the pain come election season. So will anyone risk reelection for compromise? Not likely. In an article today, The Washington Post did an story about the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, and how it could split the republicans. Those who are not going for reelection might vote for it to support GOPround ( the gay rights organization with in the republican party). With compromise being the dirt crime of our decade, will there be any change possible in our future without one party completely taking over?


Very big problems are coming to America in 2011 and we will have to deal with them. With the republicans now controlling more of the legislature, they will have to work with Democratics to tackle the main issues below.


1. High unemployment
2. Reducing the deficit
3. Increase the pace of economic recovery
4. Cutting back in government services

Will the Democratics and Republicans be able to work together in time to fight the decline of our great nation? Or will inaction be the death stroke that sends American in a downwards spiral to our eventual demise as a world power?

Obama's Revelations

"Yesterdays vote confirms what i have heard from across America. People are frustrated, deeply frustrated, with the pace of recovery and the opportunity for there children and grand children"- Obama

We Cant all be Winners : Election recap

 

With a six pack siting next to me and a bowl of chips in hand, yesterday's election felt more like the Superbowl then an election. My family and I had out our laptops while watching the news, eagerly awaiting the results of this years elections. Whenever our candidate pulled ahead a cheer would erupt. When they fell behind another swig if my Samuel Adams Winter Ale was sure to follow. By the end of the night, most of the result were in, and just like on the Superbowl the post game began. For those that haven't heard the results here is what happened.

Income tax failed  (1-1098)

Initiative 1100 concerns liquor (beer, wine and spirits) 

is 2 points behind so it could change

Imitative1105 failed ( The Costco version for the beer, wine and spirits) 

2010 US election results

Democrat

|

Republican

US House

185 seats

239 seats

US Senate

51 seats*

46 seats

WA US Senate

(62% reporting)

50% Murray

50% Rossi

For more information go to Washington State Election Result Page 

The final results for some of the measures are still coming in and with Dinno and Murry most likely going to a recount. Nationally the Republicans retook the house, but not the senate. Overall there is a pretty balance spread of Republicans and Democrats nationally. Which will either bring about a fair and balance government (not likely) or a deeply divided government (realistic outcome).

When the night came to an end, the result gave me comfort that the our nation is headed in a better direction. It wasn't the radical change i had hoped for but it was progress. I cant wait for overtime! Lets get ready for a Washington State favorite past time, the recount....    

Check my blog later today for a more in depth look at were our nation is going