Oxendine announces his opposition to free markets and local control

February 5, 2009 9:17 am

by Chris · 112 comments

While pandering to the religious nuts in the GOP Primary

Oxendine Says Put Family Values First; Opposes Attempt to Legalize Sunday Sales

ATLANTA – Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, a 2010 candidate for the GOP nomination for Governor, today announced he will oppose any legislative attempts to legalize Sunday sales of alcohol in the 2009-10 term of the General Assembly.

“Republicans are supposed to be the party of family values. Where is the value in selling alcohol on the Lord’s Day?” Oxendine asked.

Georgia lawmakers are considering legislation to allow Sunday package sales and in grocery stores on Sundays. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has said he would allow a vote on the issues in the state Senate.

Oxendine said he will join Gov. Sonny Perdue, the Georgia Christian Alliance, the Christian Coalition of Georgia, the Georgia Baptist Convention, and the Georgia Council on Moral and Civic Concerns opposing Sunday sales.

“I am proud to join hands with them and thousands of other Faith leaders and lay people all across Georgia of so many denominations who have taken a strong stand against Sunday sales in Georgia,” Oxendine said. “I share the disappointment of many in the Faith Movement in Georgia that certain elected officials have moved away from the position they promised to support during their campaigns once they were in office.

“Unlike certain elected officials, I will keep my promise on this important issue of safety and Faith.”

Yes, once more John Oxendine is pandering the the mob in opposing Sunday Sales legislation. The legislation would allow counties to hold a referendum on the issue. God-Hating liberals in Atlanta could decide to permit Sunday Sales, while the upright citizens of Crawford could vote to prohibit them.

And while “Republicans are supposed to be the party of family values.”, Republicans are also supposed to be the party of free-markets. Beyond the gibberish written in a dusty old book, where is the value subverting the free market in this way? Unless his major donors are the rent-seeking liquor stores who don’t want the competition to be able to sell Beer and Wine on Sunday.

Updated to add a disclosure: Chris Farris is Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia which has endorsed Sunday Sales for the past three sessions.

{ 110 comments }

jenny February 6, 2009 at 1:01 pm

statistics are dam*ed lies, you know.

I think the worst logic for the responsibility of government is employed when we discuss the general stupidity of the populace as a defense of civil government’s usurpation of authority. Freedom means you get to be responsible personally for your stupidity. Unalienable rights mean you get to shoulder all the negative and positive ramifications of that premise.

This is one of my favorite Ambrose Bierce quotes from the Devil’s Dictionary: “Idiot, n. A member of a large and powerful tribe whose influence in human affairs has always been dominant and controlling.”

jsm February 6, 2009 at 4:23 pm

“Gun ownership in the hands of law-abiding citizens actually prevents excessive criminal activity.”

In all cases? There are idiots out there who are ‘law-abiding citizens.’ Owning a gun brings with it a mandate to be responsible and not infringe on someone else’s rights with it. Otherwise, there will be legal action and punishment.

If someone takes a drink and consequently infringes on someone else’s rights, there will be legal action and punishment just the same.

“Now, you may consider yourself a responsible citizen when you take a drink, but then you’d probably be able to get up and go to work Monday morning, and you’d be able to pay out of your own pocket for the medical complications that develop 20 years from now. You’d not abuse your wife, or maim yourself or another driver on the road. But the statistics prove that many are not so fortunate.”

So is it government’s place to make sure I don’t become irresponsible due to liquor bought on Sunday? The bars still sell liquor on Sunday, so the only folks who CAN buy it on Sunday will most likely be driving home after drinking it, anyway. I mean, really, do you see how stupid this sounds? This whole argument is getting laughable, and I don’t even drink. I just don’t want government deciding one day that I can’t do something I like to do because it offends some group that has power.

white trash February 6, 2009 at 4:29 pm

Great point JMS.

John Konop February 6, 2009 at 5:00 pm

jsm

A few drinks might lighten you up. Just kidding!

Harry February 6, 2009 at 6:47 pm

I’d just like the same libertarian outrage to be directed agaist other areas of government mandated and/or subsidized activities that are 100 times more infringing upon human freedom.

John Konop February 6, 2009 at 6:56 pm

Harry

In fairness many social conservatives take a blind eye view of fiscal issues as long as they are Pro-life ie Bush. I respect your views and lean toward social conservative issues. But I am also respectful of local control. And all joking aside why not let local voters set the standards?

Harry February 6, 2009 at 7:26 pm

One might ask the same question of seat belts, auto emissions, education reform, healthcare reform. etc

jenny February 6, 2009 at 7:42 pm

Bush was NOT PROLIFE. And I’m sick of hearing deluded Republicans saying he is. And if he was pro-life, he’s the boil on the butt of the pro-life movement….right next to NRLC.

Chris February 6, 2009 at 7:56 pm

Jenny and I agree on something.

Bush was a butt boil.

Dash Riptide February 6, 2009 at 8:07 pm

I always pictured the pro-life movement with a butt boil.

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