PA Politics is centered in Harrisburg. There’s active opposition to Privatization. The opposition is huge; active; rich; corrupt and impossible to defeat. Despite trying for almost four years, the Republicans in Harrisburg have zero to show for their efforts.  Privatization hasn’t been defeated, it’s not in the game.

Some people who want privatization blame Corbett for not selling the Monopoly State Stores. Wrong.  In Bucks County it’s easy to point to Senator Chuck McIlhinney and claim he wants to keep the State Stores. Wrong again. They are not powerful enough to do the job.

Wait a minute, you say, The Governor and a State Senator have loads of power. The Republicans even control the legislature. That’s sort of true but they don’t have enough  money, power or supporters. The State Store System is bigger than all of the legislators in Harrisburg. The people in the State Stores are fighting for their jobs. That explains why they are active. PA has two hundred and three, (203) Representatives. There are 621 State Stores and 3,000 employees. Who do you think has more power in Harrisburg? (Clue. the 3,000 employees).

How come 3,000 employees have more political power than the 203 State Rep’s? (Hint: Divide 3.000 by 203). There are 15 employees for every State Rep. plus they each effect probably four additional votes. So 5 times 3,000 is 15,000 votes.

Thirty Two states allow private stores to sell alcohol. There are only 18 state government’s that control alcohol sales. Pa is one of the 18.

One way to be safe is to join a gang. But there’s only one gang. Government controls all alcohol sales. Government tried to ban alcohol but that didn’t work. So PA decided to control it instead of banning it. That’s good for the gang but not for the people. New Jersey is probably more corrupt than PA but Jersey has 1,800 liquor stores, one for every 480 people. PA has 600 stores, one for every 2,100 people. Wine in NJ is half the cost to the people than in PA. Why? How is it possible that wine is half the cost in NJ? Simple. It’s five times harder to sell wine so the prices are lower so people will buy from one store compared to another. In PA there’s no reason for a low price. The State Stores are a government monopoly.

In addition the selection of wine in NJ is seven times higher than in PA. In NJ, within one mile of the Burlington Bridge are five mom and pop liquor stores. Really good fine wine costs as little as $2.99. Sure it’s not a Napa Valley cabernet but it’s not $30 bucks either and there are always 20 different, great tasting excellent wines under $5. PA has none. Not one. Competition is the essence of a free culture so PA has less freedom too.

But don’t blame Corbet or McIlhinney. They’re trying to sell the state stores but they’re going uphill against a headwind. Give Corbett another term and send a few bucks to Chuck for his campaign expenses. With his help maybe, like NJ, PA will get more fine wine at half the price. 

 

 

and keeping the State Stores

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