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 }

John Konop February 5, 2009 at 2:02 pm

Bowersville is going for blogger of the week on the PP! LOL

Chris February 5, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Who created this monster and who is the alter ego, Dr. Jekyll.

I don’t know the answer to the former, the latter is probably Icarus

North Ga Indy February 5, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Because he is a troll. Why do you interact with him?

How an I a troll? Because I’m an Oxendine guy gives you no reason to make assumptions like that.

Rick Day February 5, 2009 at 2:20 pm

as in the war on some drugs, the evangelicals, Federals, the police, prison builders, drug testing companies, street thugs, Taliban and drug cartels, united for a common cause

is not an incorrect correlation either, but that is another for another post….

Rick Day February 5, 2009 at 2:22 pm

The liquor stores, the liquor lobby and the evangelicals united for a common cause.

was left out of the blockquote above, so that post will actually make some sense. For a change.

Will Hinton February 5, 2009 at 2:39 pm

I wish there was a little more honesty from opponents of Sunday liquor sales to admit that it is Baptists primarily who oppose this NOT all Christians. For the record, I grew up Baptist as did my parents and I am generally in agreement with Baptists. But on this issue, they are dead wrong and have absolutely no Biblical justification to oppose this. I have no problem with those who choose to abstain from alcohol; in fact I did until I was 24. But opposition to consuming alcohol is a personal choice or conviction; it certainly isn’t mandated in the Bible.

white trash February 5, 2009 at 3:16 pm

I am Baptist. I rarely drink but I am all for Sunday sales. People drink on Sundays already. Not being able to buy it doesn’t change that. It’s nothing but pandering to the far far far right.

Technocrat February 5, 2009 at 3:17 pm

Obviously Sunday sales of gasoline must be stopped as with a litte work 12 ounces of 180 proof [comes out as 22 ounces of 90 proof Vodka] can be separated from each gallon by just adding distilled water and shaking, then filtering the water mixture in charcoal. The taste isn’t pretty but it won’t kill you immediately.
Much better than Sterno, Mouthwash, or shaving lotion filtered thru white bread used when I was a kid in 50′s Gainesville.

North Ga Indy February 5, 2009 at 3:19 pm

White Trash is back, quick, hide the children!!!

white trash February 5, 2009 at 3:19 pm

Shep said “There is no candidate that can run who I will agree with every stance, unless I am the candidate.”

I don’t even agree with myself sometimes. ;-)

white trash February 5, 2009 at 3:23 pm

And North is going to show his @ss once again.
John – This is why you shouldn’t bother with him.

John Konop February 5, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Technocrat

Nothing against you but partying with you is way out of my league. Call me wimpy but the idea of drinking gas with little help over beer or wine is too much for me.

John Konop February 5, 2009 at 3:29 pm

white trash

Women are usually smarter than men with reading people!

jenny February 5, 2009 at 3:46 pm

Well, since we are going to get bogged down in Old Testament law, the only “work” allowed was works of worship, works of necessity and works of mercy. So technically selling anything as a merchant on the Sabbath was in strict violation to the law. Does anyone need me to quote the verses with the dire consequences of breaking the Sabbath?

If we really wanted to get righteous and technical, we’d ban the sale of anything and everything on Sunday.

That said, I think it is a serious misallocation of resources when Christians gather against alcohol sales on the Sabbath, while 40,000 children a year are slaughtered in Atlanta. The emPHAsis is on the wrong sylLAble.

John Konop February 5, 2009 at 3:51 pm

jenny

Why is the Sabbath on Sunday?

Is Sunday the “Christian Sabbath”?

No! The Sabbath was Saturday and was nailed to the cross!
It was never the Divine plan that the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, should be kept as a holy day beyond the Jewish dispensation. Attesting to this conclusion is Exodus 31: 16, “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations”. Whenever the phrase “throughout their generation” is used in the Bible, it always refers to the Jewish dispensation. That the ten commandments of which the Sabbath is part belongs to the old covenant is plainly revealed in Deut. 4:13, “And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments. And he wrote them on two tables of stone.” The express reference to the ten commandments in connection of doing away with the old covenant is found in II Corinthians 3: 6-14. “Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death written and engraven in stones, was glorious, how shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which was done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which was abolished: but their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which veil is done away in Christ.”

http://www.bible.ca/ntx-sabbath-sunday.htm

Dash Riptide February 5, 2009 at 3:56 pm

Whoa. I just had a “The World Tomorrow” flashback.

John Konop February 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm

I should have not posted the above we will now have a law banning Saturday.

Dash Riptide February 5, 2009 at 4:02 pm
white trash February 5, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Jenny
I am curious, do you work at the capital?

North Ga Indy February 5, 2009 at 4:14 pm

Kellie, I’m the only one besides Bowersville and Konop who gives thoughtful, insightful political reasonings on this thread. You, Farris, and Doug have not.

bowersville February 5, 2009 at 4:20 pm

The AJC P/I has an interesting take on Ox opposing Sunday Sales. HB 104, the bill that permits the sale of beer at the Gwinnett minor league stadium is back for house cleaning. Ox is from Gwinnett.

Oops, a conundrum for Ox.

North Ga Indy February 5, 2009 at 4:24 pm

And North is going to show his @ss once again.
John – This is why you shouldn’t bother with him.

Your depth, your depth, awe inspiring.

shep1975 February 5, 2009 at 5:01 pm

John, it’s because Christians who are Gentiles are grafted into the true vine via Jesus. That’s why Jewish law applies to Christians. Remember, Jesus said he did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it.

John Konop February 5, 2009 at 5:06 pm

shep1975

Bottom line can I drink on Saturday and Sunday?

JBC February 5, 2009 at 5:07 pm

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/index.html

So the Ox supports statewide mandated Sunday sales at stadiums but doesn’t support local communities making their own decision on Sunday sales for retailers.

A true man of the people.

shep1975 February 5, 2009 at 5:28 pm

John,

Yes for both days, but only if you invite me along.

Bill Simon February 5, 2009 at 5:29 pm

Jenny,

“since we are going to get bogged down in Old Testament law, the only “work” allowed was works of worship, works of necessity and works of mercy. So technically selling anything as a merchant on the Sabbath was in strict violation to the law. Does anyone need me to quote the verses with the dire consequences of breaking the Sabbath?”

Well….if we’re going to get “bogged-down” in Old Testament stuff, then you (as a woman) don’t have too many rights granted in the Old Testament, do you, huh? :-)

Bill Simon February 5, 2009 at 5:32 pm

The more money we earn, the more we can tithe to our respective “churches.”

And, wouldn’t that be exactly what Patrick Henry, author of the bill back in 1785-ish to tax people to support his religion, would be in favor of? The more you make, the more you can tithe.

What a great slogan! I think I’ll “TM” it.

shep1975 February 5, 2009 at 5:36 pm

But Bill, it’s only fiat money they’re tithing.

jenny February 5, 2009 at 6:26 pm

So true, Bill, so true. Thank God I’m living now. Course maybe I’m Deborah reincarnated….The Proverbs 31 woman was actually quite a woman. Involved in commerce, law, real estate, and she had servants running the household. That is totally cool. (I just wish some woman in the OT had multiple husbands).But the bank of Jon Hodges can’t cover servants around here, though now adays they work for fiat money. :-)

White Trash, by work at the Capitol what do you mean? Am I there? Occasionally–usually just one day a week, sometimes twice. Does anyone pay me to be there? I wish.

I have six little kids, so I mostly “work” from home, and I work for several organizations, so I have meetings, etc., around town and out of town.

tocallaghan February 5, 2009 at 7:57 pm

If buying alcohol is so immoral, then I am just going to let God deal with it.

Clone Of B. Plyler February 5, 2009 at 8:19 pm

So, if you’re against Sunday alcohol sales you are opposed to free markets, against local control, oblivious to abortion issues, have the common sense of bat snot, a member of the Communist Party..Etc.

I like the current law with its restrictions. (as I’ve stated before) EVERY law legislates behavior or morals to some degree.

It would be easy to use some more Bible references. However, probably only Bowersville & I know the real reason why we don’t need Sunday sales in Hart Co.

Even the drunks need at least one day to dry out-call it a day of rest.

Dave Bearse February 5, 2009 at 8:28 pm

A political blog with 82 comments and little if any discussion of the political strategy of a Gubenatorial candidate opposing Sunday sales….

The 2010 Georgia Governorship is for the GOP to lose. That said, it’s all about winning the primary or being first or second in event of a runoff. Ox it seems understands this by taking a position likely to be beneficial in the primary.

bowersville February 5, 2009 at 8:45 pm

Bucky, you know as well as I do that the sale of alcohol on Sunday will never, ever pass in Hart or Franklin County. Never.

But think about the GOTV advantage if it becomes an issue.

jenny February 5, 2009 at 8:49 pm

LOL. Dave, are you saying we missed the obvious yet again?

My favorite drink is an Irish Car Bomb. Delicious, especially when drunk in tandem.

Paul said he was the greatest of sinners, so I relegate myself to beneath that. And always remember…Jesus didn’t come to save the righteous…which means we are all in! (or at least I am :-)

Clone Of B. Plyler February 5, 2009 at 9:00 pm

Maybe never, ever, never Bowersville. But then again, the voters here have voted us to be a dry community several times ( for the 6 other days) and we got Cateechee anyway.

Dave, it was so obvious that we didn’t think it needed mentioning!

Skyler Akins February 5, 2009 at 10:32 pm

Whats fascinating is the Young Democrats and Republicans working together rigourously to pass Sunday Alcohol Sales!

Now thats change we can believe in!

shep1975 February 5, 2009 at 11:51 pm

Skyler, do you think that’s something so new? All the YDs I’m facebook friends with is due to work between the two groups on Sunday sales!

Harry February 6, 2009 at 12:40 am

I’d like to see anybody put up evidence that great majority of the liquor industry lobby is not supporting Sunday sales. OF COURSE they and their bought pols are supporting it. The big booze distributors all want to sell through superemarkets on Sunday. If all you so-called libertarians were really for freedom, we’d be hearing from you about educational choices, healthcare choices, etc. etc. Those are the issues that matter, and not enabling a bunch of drunks to create even more problems on the roads and with themselves and their families on Sunday than they already cause during the rest of the week.

griftdrift February 6, 2009 at 1:22 am

“If all you so-called libertarians were really for freedom, we’d be hearing from you about educational choices, healthcare choices, etc. etc”

Ummmmm. I’m pretty sure you do.

Like. All the time.

Maybe you aren’t listening?

martinstuart February 6, 2009 at 2:47 am

The first amendment is very clear. the 21st century does not have room for people who want to make Christianity the law. Sunday is the day after the sabbath to jews and pandering to the religous right is scary.
No sale.

joe February 6, 2009 at 4:49 am

martinstuart,

The first amendment is very clear. “Congress shall make no law…” refers to the federal, noy to the state. You should read the Constitution some time.

jsm February 6, 2009 at 11:02 am

“Those are the issues that matter, and not enabling a bunch of drunks to create even more problems on the roads and with themselves and their families on Sunday than they already cause during the rest of the week.”

The issue here is not about ‘enabling’ anyone, it’s about ‘disabling’ someone’s freedom to be responsible for himself.

“Sunday is the day after the sabbath to jews and pandering to the religous right is scary.”

Sunday is not the sabbath for a Christian, either, who actually understands the Bible. It is a day set aside for worship, but this does not give good reason to disallow those who have a different view to buy a legal substance on this particular day.

I’ll say it until I have no more breath – Government SHOULD NOT regulate alcohol sales to adults, just like it should not require me to wear my own seatbelt. This is not the United States of Kindergarten. People should be allowed to take responsibility for their own decisions.

John Konop February 6, 2009 at 11:09 am

Jsm

I actually agree with most of what you wrote. But I am sure Jesus would care more about understanding the meaning behind being a Christian than a debate on who is right about the Sabbath.

Jesus was clear on not focusing on ritual over real substance. And this issue permeates in many religions. Why not focus on the message?

‘Sunday is not the sabbath for a Christian, either, who actually understands the Bible.”

Harry February 6, 2009 at 11:33 am

Government SHOULD NOT regulate alcohol sales to adults, just like it should not require me to wear my own seatbelt.

That would be great, if their behavior didn’t frequently have consequences to their fellow citizens and taxpayers.

jsm February 6, 2009 at 11:49 am

Harry, the same logic could be applied to gun laws. Do you support a ban on buying guns or ammo on Sunday? We have punishments for damage done to ‘fellow citizens and taxpayers’ and non-taxpayers, for that matter.

Good law is not about preventing a situation in which irresponsible people may or may not hurt others. It is about punishing offenders, so that the people are strongly encouraged not to damage their fellow citizens. Freedom allows people to enjoy living their lives as they wish and believing whatever they wish, so long as their actions don’t impinge on the rights of others.

Harry February 6, 2009 at 12:15 pm

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

Dash Riptide February 6, 2009 at 12:21 pm

If I take a drink I will develop complications 20 years down the road?

Harry February 6, 2009 at 12:22 pm

Your liver, your kidney, your brain will suffer. Not to mention indirect effects like STDs.

Dash Riptide February 6, 2009 at 12:24 pm

Your liver, your kidney, your brain will suffer. Not to mention indirect effects like STDs.

It’s as if the Romans were really doing Jesus a favor when you think about it.

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