The Repeal of Prohibition

Prohibition Repeal

Well, the vote is in and the advocates of allowing legal alcohol sales in the city of Somerset have won the day. The vote was about 60% for and 40% against which is certainly a greater margin than I would have predicted. Those who voted for sales are justifiably pleased and some are ecstatic. Those who were not for sales are forlorn and some are angry. I sincerely wish it weren't so and that both sides could now come together and work for improved opportunities for Somerset but that is not likely since the vote was largely on ideological principles and they are not often good fodder for compromise.

I seriously doubt that most people will notice a difference a year from now but one thing that will stand out is that, for the most part, the bootleggers are out of business. This for the first time in my lifetime. This should allow for better regulation of underage drinking and the trade in other illicit substances that go with it. It bears pointing out that there is no shortage of residents in the county lockup even now with sales illegal.

Long ago it became painfully obvious to me that drinking had to go. I have a great many friends who imbibe with reason and dignity, something that eluded me. When I was drinking I found that driving to Tennessee, Richmond or Lexington was no obstacle and I expect that most others who drink find a way to do it also. However, now we should not see as many people making that hazardous return journey while under the influence and endangering every person they meet on the road.

There is sufficient reason for those who opposed this measure to fear its legalization since alcohol abuse is a major portion of the drug abuse we see as prolific. I doubt that fear is warranted. Those who opposed it on religious grounds will continue to oppose it and that is their right, just as it is the right of the others to consume alcoholic beverages if the law is heeded. In a secular society it is reason that should be the determining factor in making our laws.

I have every confidence that this move will prove to be a good one for the city and that it will encourage business growth and increased revenues. There will be some necessary increases in overhead but, if the record of our surrounding cities is any indication, it will not be a significant increase in light of revenues. The impact on business growth will not be in just restaurants, bars and liquor stores but in other businesses as well. I can well imagine that now Somerset will receive requests for annexation into the city which will expand the tax base and make more services available. Along with the other smart moves in the energy fields made by the city, Somerset is poised to become a preeminent city in South-Central Kentucky. The energy initiatives will attract other industry to Somerset and, like it or not, the cultural offerings of an area are a big factor in determining whether or not a company can relocate executives to that area.

The laws governing establishments that sell alcohol are strictly regulated by the state and, for the most part, are not subject to local influence. Only so many package stores can be established for the number of people in the city. Nightclubs can be policed and regulated so that they are no more trouble than any other entertainment business. You can bet that those establishments will be quite strict in verifying identification and age.

With contests come winners and losers but I encourage all citizens to not view it in such a light. I hope that there is not too much crowing from the victors and too much castigation from those who lost. In our republic there are always those who are on either the winning or losing side but once the election is over then we can accept the will of the people and move forward. At least, that is the way it should work but the example of our political system may cause one to doubt that. The example of the Prohibition Era should stand as a guiding light for us. During that period the only alcohol one could buy was illegal and so that is what people did giving rise to some of the most deadly confrontations our nation has ever know. The 18^th amendment that established prohibition is the only amendment to have been repealed when in 1933 that vote was rescinded.

That's my take on the wet/dry vote. The die is cast and we should not belabor the point but move on to the opportunities that are next. No one has been forced to change nor is anyone being made to participate in any activity considered wrong. Those people who were stalwart members of our communities are still just as they were and no one is made less because of this vote.