[I have also learned recently that adultery is literally a crime in Massachusetts. Wow Chapter 272.]

[hermionesviolin]

So, during Heroes tonight I caught part of a Vote No on #1 ad which mentioned how most grocery store cashiers are teenagers and if grocery stores sell liquor, they will be the ones under all this pressure to confirm that liquor-buying customers are in fact over 21.  I could see this being a problem when it first goes into effect and it's new and a big deal, but my suspicion is that it would stabilize.  I say this mostly because there are grocery stores that sell booze (like the place we went in Atlanta) and they seem to be fine.  Anyone have thoughts, especially people who are familiar with places where grocery stores do sell booze?  [I was about to say that my personal preference would probably be to remove the age restriction on the sale of both booze and tobacco, 'cause I have inherited my father's "less laws = better" tendency, and it occurred to me that one can buy cigarettes in any CVS, where the cashiers are almost all teens, and that seems to work out fairly well.  I know there are sting operations regarding selling cigarettes to minors, but given how many minors get people to buy booze -- and cigarettes -- for them, I'm not sure the consumption-by-minors of booze would increase much with grocery store sales.]  Erm, I still owe comment replies on the same-sex marriage post, but should really finish reviewing Portrait and wash my dishes before going to bed.

*

Relevant links:
Massachusetts State Initiatives
Massachusetts Chapter 272

Comments

[hedy.livejournal.com]

I have yet to hear a convincing arguement against question 1, honestly. It kind of seems to me like the packies are all "OMG wine=teh doom!!!!!!!11" and grocery stores are all "Wouldn't you like some wine with that?"

[wisdomeagle]

I'm voting no on 1. Mostly because... I think wine=teh_d00m, and that the fewer places it's available, the better. I know question 1 will likely pass and that people will buy wine regardless. But I won't by my vote enable them.

I'm really hesitating over whether to post this; I know it's an unpopular opinion. But. Apparently I decided to say it.

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

I'm such a Libertarian that I'm all, "Educate people, but totally allow them the means to destroy themselves." I validate the fact that you're coming from a personal history with family alcoholism, though. [This is in your profile, so I'm not feeling gulity about mentioning it in a public comment.]

[wisdomeagle]

Ayup. And I totally felt conflicted, although clearly my libertarian leanings are nowhere near as strong as yours. But the personal history of SUCK won out.

[Yes, and totally fair of you to do so.]

What do you think of question 2? I am pretty sure I am voting yes but am not entirely confident that I understand what the implications are (and the voter information did not really inform me.)

[(Anonymous)]

I gether that question 2 would allow Massachusetts to do like New York does, allow people to appear on the ballot as the candidate of more than one party.

In New York, what happens generally is that the Republicans have to suck up to the Conservative Party somewhat so the CP won't run a separate candidate and "split the vote." The Democrats have to do the same thing with the Liberal Party. I don't recall it helping things when I lived there so I'll probably vote against.

[(Anonymous)]

That was from the Hermione paternal parental.

RAS

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

Huh, I don't think of you as leaning libertarian -- though really I just don't think of you and politics in the same sentence, period.

[hedy.livejournal.com]

I appreciate your honesty.

unpopular opinions

[onwingsofeagles.livejournal.com]

I would be MUCH happier if people expressed more unpopular (in their crowd) opinions. If we dialogue, we learn something, even if we continue to disagree. I get tired of hearing people bleet. And even more tired of those who disagree being demonized.