To the editor:
When I buy a bottle from my local government liquor store, I am contributing to the employment of workers receiving a wage they can actually live off, rather than be a likely candidate for low income housing and trips to the food bank.
I know it’s cheaper in the USA, perhaps in Alberta, but I choose to live in B.C. Besides, it’s alcohol, not milk. I choose to support liquor profit staying in my province, and employees who make a decent wage and can contribute to the local economy in my community.
The government is constantly whining that it has no money for anything, so why would it privatize liquor? It’s one of the only profitable branches of government.
For that matter, why would our cash-strapped government dump the Coquihalla toll booths? I never really minded paying it—$10, not a big deal—but for the government it was another source of income they threw away.
As far as the hours and days of operation, come on, its 2012 not 1950. Almost every other retail business is open on Sundays. Some people say there would be more alcohol related problems with extended hours and Sunday openings, but there are already over 600 private stores open on Sundays until 11 most nights.
With just over 200 government stores, it’s just another example of the government throwing away another opportunity to make revenue.
Instead of people complaining that government workers make too high a wage, they should start complaining about how little others make. Can anyone have a decent standard of living, afford nutritious groceries, provide opportunities for their children when earning only minimum wage?
Sheri Pybus,
Kelowna
