California, Why do you keep punching yourself?

[Gaspar]

http://www.ksbw.com/money/23030197/detail.html

Local wine growers said a proposal in California to tax wine $5 a bottle will kill their business, and the California economy along with it.

The Alcohol-Related Harm and Damage Services Act of 2010 would increase the excise tax on a bottle of wine 12,675 percent. That means the current tax of 4 cents on a bottle would go up to $5.11.

Money from the tax would fund programs that address alcohol-related injuries and damages.

[nathanm]

Local wine growers said a proposal in California to tax wine $5 a bottle will kill their business, and the California economy along with it.

Apparently someone confused the wine producers with the pot growers. Oops.

[Townsend]

Wow, don't let Oklahoma law makers see that.  They'll say "great idea" and then spend a crazy amount to get it passed and defending it in court.

[fotd]

Give ma a break, those vineyards make a fortune aiding violence,  death, family chaos, depression and abuse of all sorts. They can't afford to pass it on to the consumers?

So, would you take a similar stand if and when pot becomes legal there?

[Townsend]

Yes, yes, we've all heard Ernest and Julio are the godfather's of gun running for wine country.

What else is new?

[Gaspar]

So I can buy a great Chilean Merlot for $8, a fantastic Australian Shiraz for $6.50, an incredible old vines blend from Spain for $12, but a mediocre domestic Cab will now cost me $20 minimum.

Out-freeking-standing!

You go Cali-libs.  Bleed that stone.

[sgrizzle]

So, would you take a similar stand if and when pot becomes legal there?

Would you move?

[fotd]

So I can buy a great Chilean Merlot for $8, a fantastic Australian Shiraz for $6.50, an incredible old vines blend from Spain for $12, but a mediocre domestic Cab will now cost me $20 minimum.

Out-freeking-standing!

You go Cali-libs.  Bleed that stone.

Nope. Import tariff those wine's you refer to. Do you buy French Bordeaux's?

[Gaspar]

Nope. Import tariff those wine's you refer to. Do you buy French Bordeaux's?

No they suck.  There are very few French wines I appreciate.  There are some great California wines but they have been priced above their Southern hemisphere counterparts, unless you buy them in California. 

I will be in California next week and will enjoy a few, and probably smuggle a few cases back home.

It has become more difficult doing business with the state of California than many foreign governments.  The free market is taking its agonal breaths in Cali.  The state is addicted to liberalgasm and will therefore have to hit rock-bottom before change can occur.

[fotd]

Poppycock.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Gaspar]

Poppycock.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Really?

Do we really need to provide you with examples of the special restrictions California places on nearly every business?

[we vs us]

Similar (and much less draconian) taxes on alcohol have died in the CA senate, and this one is still collecting signatures.  From the original article:


"The initiative's backers would need 434,000 signatures by August 23 to put the measure on the ballot.

Some growers and wine lovers said, however, that they would be surprised if California passes a measure that would put a big tax on the state's favorite crop.

"I don't think it's good. It would hurt a lot of business in California, especially growers in Monterey County," said Susan Hartsook, of Salinas. "It would be very detrimental to our economy."

Last month, a proposal by state Rep. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, to put a nickel tax on all alcohol sales in the state failed to win support from his colleagues."

Honestly, it looks like a proposal that has been designed to fail. 

[Red Arrow]

I have great faith in the people of CA.