OH MY GOD! SHUT UP ABOUT ALCOHOL TAXES!
The thing is - I’m not a drunk. I’m not a drink driver. I’m not a rapist, racist, granny basher or hooligan. I don’t binge drink until i pick fights, I don’t assault people, and i don’t get pissed up to rob things. So why should i have to pay extra for a drink just because some young lout with slack parents can’t keep his willy in his pants or his fists by his side? Why should i pay through the nose, just because some morally devious reprobate thinks its cool to drive after 20 pints and plough into a brick wall whilst in charge of his pissed up death wagon?
Firstly, let me say, I completely agree that raising the price of alcohol would have a significant impact on consumption levels. If its too expensive, you can’t buy it.
From a goverment report:
There is a clear association between price, availability and consumption. But there is less sound evidence for the impact of introducing specific policies in a particular social and political context:
- our analysis showed that the drivers of consumption are much more complex than merely price and availability;
- evidence suggested that using price as a key lever risked major unintended side effects;
- the majority of those who drink do so sensibly the majority of the time.
- Policies need to be publicly acceptable if they are to succeed; and measures to control price and availability are already built into the system.
And that bit at the end is the kicker -“…measures to control price and availability are already built into the system.”
This news report takes the biscuit. It really does. Don’t you realise you nazis, that whilst raising the price of beer might stop young lads getting pissed up, it’ll probably drive them to sniffing glue. It also means i also have to pay extra and like i said - why should i pay for other peoples lack of self control.
Correct me if i am wrong, but its illegal for under 18’s to buy or consume alcohol. So, heres a great idea, which won’t affect my already overburdened pocket - ENFORCE THE LAW. Under 16’s drinking cider in the park? Getting lary? Where did they get the cider from? Somewhere there is a shopkeeper or a misguided adult who supplied them with the demon drink… tax their pockets instead. Its not like teenagers can walk into just any shop and buy a six pack. Its illegal. So whilst putting up taxes will stifle their demand, it also stifles mine. Better instead to apply an already existing law and snuff out their illicit supply no?
Oh no! That won’t stop 18/19 year olds binge drinking though will it? Oh wait - its also an offence under british law to serve alcohol to obviously intoxicated people. That man dribbling on your bar? Don’t serve him! Too many publicans serve more drinks to groups of drunken girls on a saturday night and then (boo hoo) complain to the local press because they start tearing each others hair out, because one group stole the second groups hen weekend idea of dressing like a slag. Football matches also serve as a hotbed of fury, mainly because greedy bastard shop owners and landlords just can’t help themselves but hand over more beer and spirits (think of the cash! these pissheads will buy anything!!) and then the same money grabbing bastards complain when a drunk pisses in the shop window. Think someone’s too drunk? Don’t serve them. The law is on your side! And better still, it means I WON’T HAVE TO PAY TWICE AS MUCH FOR A PINT.
Filed by Kieran at November 14th, 2007 under Complaint!, Topical?