How to steal

No, my gosh I don't mean the usual way. That kind is dangerous, risky and most certainly will provide you with living accommodations that would not be your preference. There is a by far better way which is legal, totally safe, and assures you the loot. In this method, you simply employ your government to make it legal, safe and do the theft for you. Money and power is always a helpful ingredient for this theft.

I am speaking of the proposed "uncork" bill for wine and spirits now before the Legislature that, if passed, would destroy 762 private businesses and cost an estimated 3,000 jobs. This pressure is being exerted by Dillons Stores and Wal-Mart. Their goal is to create one more profit center for their big box stores. These are formidable foes for 762 individual private businesses without money, organization or political power.

"There is no greater evil than the conversion of the law into an instrument of plunder. ... But how is this legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them and gives to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen cannot do for himself without committing a crime". Frederic Bastiat, "The Law," 1850

Yes, the solicitors for this law change will couch their purpose in glowing generalities such as greater good, increased tax income and more jobs. All totally false.

It will be interesting to see how our legislators deal with this one.

Stan Dalton

Hays