The liquor biz is completely controlled by two companies alone in GA and the government makes it almost impossible for anyone to enter the liquor distribution industry, and they also have the legislature in their pockets. They helped kill the Sunday alcohol bill last year because obviously it would hurt liquor stores who still couldn't open on Sundays if only beer/win retail sales were allowed on Sunday. Actually they could have, but only to sell beer/wine and they said that wasn't good enough.

You have my sympathies but do you think that the paople who would go out driving after drinking aren't the first ones to stock up for Sunday, and if they haven't stocked up do you think they have any qualms about hitting the bar somewhere it's legal to drink on Sunday and then driving home wasted? All that aside my biggest problem with Sonny and his gang is the notion that what we, the public, want isn't important. These people were elected to do our bidding, not their own beliefs or feelings. Please, someone save me from politicians looking out for my own good whether or not I like it or not. What do we do if they decide that we shouldn't have a beer on Sunday no matter when we buy it, nad if they decide that maybe they should check our houses on Sunday to make sure we don't have that beer.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Actually, we have much more in common than we have dividing us.

I like free societies, especially here in the Land of the Free.

I think police, soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, paramedics, and firefighters absolutely rule! I feel good every time I see them. I wave at the fire trucks and policemen (that aren't at my deep six.

I hate politics, and its necessarily evil nature of accentuating our differences.

I like fast cars, the beauty of women (especially my own ), and loud airplanes and bikes.

I think code pink is a pointless group.

I think PETA hurts themselves more than they help animals.

I live a conservative life.

I don't want "My two moms or dads" taught in public school.

Our differences may be:

I feel people should feel free to live as liberal or gay or eccentric a life as they want if it doesn't physically infringe on my person. If two women want to marry or kiss in public, I could not care any less. I just won't look.

I think abstinence only education is a waste of money that has demonstrably lead to an increase in STDs.

I believe government CAN and SHOULD work for people first, and businesses second.

I think deregulation allows the greed of men to wreck financial markets, banks, health care, etc.

I think we can not afford to stay in Iraq fighting for an indefinite amount of time without a draft to provide people and a tax to provide payment of our amassing debt.

Let's see: Four differences, and SEVEN common areas.

That ain't half bad now, is it?

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King

We’re probably not that far apart on your list of differences either. I would just prefer to rely more on the free-market than government intervention as far as economics go.

To paraphrase the great Ronald Reagan – The government’s idea of running the economy is: if it moves tax it, if it continues to move regulate it, and if stops moving subsidize it.

I am also vehemently opposed to a draft (forced labor). We’ll pay what we have to get the warriors that we need.

And lastly, a tax increase is absolutely not what is needed. Sucking more capital out of the market and slowing the economy further is not going to pay down the debt.

Maximus

I'm not an economics expert, but from what I understand, a totally free market tends to favor gradual monopolization of the various industries, much like what we have seen with Microsoft in the computer software industry. (until they got reined in, somewhat, by the government) On the other hand, a totally regulated economy is what the Russians and Chinese tried, and that was clearly a failure.

So the question becomes "how much regulation is necessary or optimal?"

What are your thoughts on that?

Monopolization occurs when one company can provide the goods or services that people want better and/or more efficiently than anyone else can (or when the government picks a company to give a monopoly to). In the case of Microsoft, who was providing an alternative when their popularity exploded? Apple was charging twice as much for a comparable computer and OS when I bought my first Windows 3.1 machine in the early ‘90s. Apple thought they had a monopoly. MS created the demand for personal computers by offering a cheaper alternative. Even Bill Gate’s mother didn’t think people were going to need or want a computer in their house, and at Apple’s prices she was right (at least in my case). But making them more affordable and usable changed that.

The free market fostered the creation of the industry. If it had been left up to the government to decide who was going to supply what, I’d still be trying to get parts for my 8MHz 286.

The anti-trust laws that we already have are WAY more than adequate. There are plenty of alternatives to MS and they won’t be the leader forever. Forcing them to give away technology only subdues their desire and ability to create more.

I think we need to prevent a company like Microsoft or Apple from monopolizing a market and then charging an arm and a leg for their product. But as long as monopolization is NOT happening, then a free market is the way to go. Competition is what made this country great. At least that's my impression.

I worry a lot more about government intervention stifling the creativity and innovation of companies like MS and Apple than I do about them monopolizing the market.

No one wants to see one company or person gain monopolistic power, but in a truly free economy that won't happen. Google, Yahoo, Firefox, Red Hat, and hundreds of others that we haven't even heard of yet will make sure of that.

Maximus

Well I agree about the way things are working at the moment, at least as far as computer software. I'm using Firefox to write this, and I think Firefox is far superior to IE7. My son-in-law is even using Linux as his operating system. Now THAT'S competition at its best! However, it took a Dept. of Justice lawsuit against Microsoft in 1998 to force them to uncouple the operating system from the web browser.

In one sense, that supports your point that we already have enough regulation, since the system worked as it was intended, and we now have the choice between competing products. When customers can choose the best product among several choices, we all win.

but collusion is another thing all together. When major players in an industry base economic decisions on what each other are doing rather than the "free market", the system breaks down. The definition of a "mixed economy" is one in which the government operates in the economy to ensure social stability. Under the current disparity in income and wealth between the (for lack of better terms) upper and lower classes, we are creating a situation where social INstability can not be too far behind. How long do you think the ones who are most benefiting from current administration policies will be able to continue to manipulate "the people"? Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Collusion won’t work very long in a truly free market. For several decades, in my humble opinion, the Detroit automakers colluded to create the biggest drain on middle class wealth in history to sell overpriced pieces of junk. Once some real competition came in from Japan they were brought to their knees. We’re better off for it. Had import laws been used more effectively (government collusion with weak industries and unions) we’d be paying an average years wage for Ford Pintos right now.

As I said before, there are WAY more anti-trust laws and regulations than we need already on the books.

“How long do you think the ones who are most benefiting from current administration policies will be able to continue to manipulate "the people"?”

Which policies are you talking about? If it’s the payoffs to farmers in the ethanol farce I would have to agree. That’s a good example of the government working against the free market to create hugely expensive, substandard fuel.

Not only were they colluding and engaged in monopolistic competition, it was subsidized and totally sanctioned by the government. Even worse, the foreign competition had onerous tariffs placed on their cars to "protect" the American auto industry. The result was Americans paying several thousand more for superior cars and Detroit getting real lazy and falling behind.

Before deregulation, the airline industry ran the same as Detroit, though there wasn't tariffs placed on the competition, the government simply wouldn't give them landing/gate rights at major airports. The same still sort of exists today post-deregulation.

In most monopolies, the government is very actively supporting and sanctioning it. Right now, the FTC and the airwaves is a prime example of government sustaining and promoting monopolies by how the FTC controls/sells the airwaves and who gets the "right"/buy to use them.

Great exchange. Why do I sense that you are a successful person? Good day!

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

As I said in my initial post, I admit that economics is NOT my area of expertise, so this is more of a question than an answer.

It seems to me that deregulation (or perhaps a lack of oversight) has been harmful in some cases, such as the mortgage meltdown, in which banks were allowed to make risky loans and hide them in a series of questionable transactions, which triggered the current wave of defaults.

I would also include airline deregulation, although some would argue against that. I remember the airlines back in the 70s, and we had all the classic airline companies like TWA, Pan AM, and Eastern. Service was reliable and you got a real meal during the flight. On the other hand, fares are cheaper now than they would have been with regulation.

Yardman, collusion is not at all the same as competition, as you said. Seems to me it is just about the opposite of competition. So that brings me back to my original question: what is the optimal balance between regulation and free market economics?

Our current setup seems to encourage financial instability. The economy seems to be a series of bubbles, and the stock market is a roller coaster. This is not good for anybody. We need to stabilize the economy, but I don't know what's the best way to do that.

There are so many things wrong with this post that I had to respond.

"Free Market" is what we now have with trade, recession, oil, and the plundering of our natural resources and money by the investment banks!

"The Great Ronaldo! BS. A two bit actor who sold out to GE for money. Then put us in debt forever and said, like an actor, what his rich followers wanted to hear.

The draft! I was in while we had a draft. I never saw one lawyer's, doctors, business man's, or any rich dudes son even then! ( a few academy dudes). It is much worse now without the draft.

Taxes won't pay the debt! What will? Oh, I know, the additional useless jobs provided by the big corporate and high-earner tax breaks!
Right! Where are they since we have had the tax break for several years now?
All you are concerned about is YOUR tax break.

How pathetic!!

You will pay our warriors whatever is necessary but you do not any tax increases.

If you want to continue this Bush-McCain war then you should be willing to help pay for it. It is the least you can do.

Raising taxes isn't going to make a bit of difference in our ability to pay for fighting terrorists in Iraq right now. Taking the capital out of the market will only make us weaker in the future.

Maybe you can tell me how this war is any more McCain's then it is Clinton's or Obama's.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Obama and Clinton, to differing degrees, want to bring this stupid and unnecessary war to an end.

You and other Bush-McCain War supporters want the war to continue for another 100 years if necessary. But you do not want to make any sacrifice for the war--not even paying for it. Oh I forgot, you did put a yellow ribbon on the back of your car. What a bunch of babies you are!!

I asked a simple question, asked with respect, and expecting respect back, with an answer. You didn't see your way to either answering the question, or being respectful, instead you resort to calling names, and making statements that you can't prove. OK, lets play, there's only one lion on these boards and you ain't it( ain't that right Git?). Now kitty man if you can find anywhere on this site where I ever said I was for this war I'll kiss your butt in public and give you an hour to draw a crowd. I can tell you didn't bring anything to this conversation but your opinion and I can tell it was deeply researched. Actually I haven't put a ribbon on my car I show my support for our troops in a different way. If you can't answer the question just say so, it was an easy question, maybe you could ask whoever gives you your opinions and they could tell you.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Since you took my post so personally, I apologize for offending you.

I am an occasional poster on this site so I do not follow all of your messages. If you are not a supporter of the war in Iraq, then we are in agreement.

I am lion on this site. I do not know what confusion you have about that but it is true.

The war in Iraq makes me very angry. But what makes me most angry are those who support the war and then refuse to pay the price for the war, falling back on the conservative ideology that no tax increases are necessary ever--even to pay for the war they advocate.

Yesterday I saw the movie "Stop-Loss." I recommend it for everyone, regardless of their view of the war in Iraq. The movie addresses the personal sacrifice our soldiers must make and is very moving.

My view remains the same. The war in Iraq is a stupid and unnecessary war. My heart goes out to the brave men and women who serve in Iraq. I want a wise end to the conflict. This will not be easy but must be our goal.

Yes I took your post personally I asked you a question and you regurgitated the party line and never did answer the question, then you say something about me that you have no way of knowing and then call me a baby, so yes I did take it personnel. I pay all the taxes that I have to pay and I won't pay a penny more then I have to. I'm a vet myself so I DON'T need to be lectured about the sacrifices our armed forces make every day whether in war time or not. BTW I'm still waiting to hear how this is McCain's war more the Clinton's or Obama's.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Well I tried to reach out to you and be nice.

But you clearly are not interested.

McCain wants to continue the Bush Iraq war indefinitely. Obama and Clinton want to try to bring the war to an end and withdraw from Iraq. I think this makes this McCain's war.

I am a veteran also so I do not appreciate your condescending attitude about sacrifice.

Besides, my flag lapel pin is bigger than yours.

You wondered why I took it personal and I told you. The way I see it neither McCain nor Obama or Clinton can do a lot about this war, at least until the election tell me what control any of them have? You seem to hold McCain to a higher standard then you do the Dems, why would that be, you can twist it any way you want but McCain is no more responsible for this debacle then your democrats.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Yep, wonders never cease! I agree with some of you more than you know. I'm just shy, so I don't say anything.

You may be shy but you have a way of disarming people around here.

Maximus

And I love TUG to death!

Kevin "Hack" King

And I love you back! Hope you're doing okay. Remember, listen to your wife. NO MORE FIGHTING.

Sonny and his crew are in a bind. They count on the religious right for votes, and they are in the political party of "personal liberty and freedom." Obviously, this time, theocracy won out.

Kevin "Hack" King

But I cannot think of a good reason why it should not be legal on Monday through Saturday.

Sunday, too, for that matter.

I'm beginning to get scared. Other than your insane desire to stand atop a slippery piece of wood, or whatever, in shark infested waters, I'm beginning to see a trend here that frigtens me.

I'm reminded of one of the jokes in the book your recommended.

A traveling sales man has car troubles, and knocks on the door of the proverbial farmer to realize that he indeed has two beautiful young and amorous daughters, and plenty of room to spend the night, since both are away at college.

The salesman, turns and walks away and says, "I think I'm in the wrong joke.".

Well I'm beginning to wonder, if I'm in some strange joke myself.
You know my father said he visited Florida for a few weeks in the mid 1950's for a few weeks. Do you think. . . .

This is not Republicans trying to control us, but the Baptists. We are in the Bible Belt. Buy your beer on Sat. to drink on sunday - that is what the Baptists do.

"Buy your beer on Sat. to drink on sunday - that is what the Baptists do."

Or they go to their Catholic friends' houses and drink all of their beer.

Or the old joke:

Protestants don't recognize the authority of the Pope.

Jehovah's Witnesses don't recognize the doctrine of the Trinity.

Baptists don't recognize one another in the package store.

You took theology do you find it appropriate to knock Christians?
Plus with these comments about Baptist how would you know?

Just another question for your good friend when I see him.

_______________________________
We Will Stand

I understand what you're getting at. Send me an email if you'd like. I'll probably regret giving others that option. I don't want my inbox filled with junk. I already have enough to delete.

Thanks for the abortion links.

___________________________

8-week fetus ("young one") -- Only 30-32 more weeks to go!

“Women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy also deserve unplanned joy.” (Feminists for Life)

Abortion stops a beating heart!

"... do you find it appropriate to knock Christians?"

If we can't make fun of ourselves...

Vr,
Maximus

Why don't Baptists ever make love while standing up?
Because someone might think they are dancing.

Give me some more to discuss with you good buddy.

_____________________________
We Will Stand

Good. Tell my "good buddy" this one as well:

Do you know the one about the Calvinist minister who fell down a flight of stairs?

He got up and said, "Glad that one's over with!"

The name Jesus Christ was used with great enthusiasm at the synagogue down the street last week. It happened when their janitor fell down the basement steps.

Whatever you do, BPR, don't watch Door TV because these folks have great fun with televangelists and performers, such as the maximally strange, Carmen.

You simply won't understand.

I get it- but you don't.

Did you mean "Carman" or "Carmen?

Have a good day Muddle.

______________________________
We Will Stand

One day a man dies, who was a devout Christian. Saint Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates and begins to give him a tour of Heaven. As the tour goes on, Saint Paul points out all the different Christians. "There's the Catholics, there's the Lutherans, the Methodists, the Presbyterians", and so forth.

As they come to this one group way off to themselves, Saint Paul motions for the man to come closer and whispers. "Now, for this next group, we need to be really quiet. They are the Baptists and they think they're the only ones in Heaven."

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, "Stop! Don't do it!" "Why shouldn't I?" he said. I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!" He said, "Like what?" I said, "Well, are you religious or atheist?" He said, "Religious." I said, "Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?" He said, "Christian." I said, "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?" He said, "Protestant." I said, Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist? He said, "Baptist!" I said, "Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord? He said, Baptist Church of God!" I said, "Me too! Are you Original Baptist Church of God or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?" He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God!" I said, "Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915?" He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915!" I said, "Die, heretic scum!" and pushed him off.

LOL, I knew someone was going to go there.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Muddle is on your side. And poking fun at Baptists drinking a couple of beers or a glass of wine is not out of line nor untruthful. Many Baptist don't drink and many I know have a glass or two of wine or beer. Several in my presence, and I yet to see one of them drunk or obnoxious. So accept the fact that many, many, many Baptist including us Southern ones have an occasional drink.

Please get off Muddle's back. Understand that often times Christians need to be mocked. The guy mocks unscrupulous preachers and Christians all of the time. And I'm behind him 100% on that endeavor. We need to be held accountable just like anyone else does. Lest we turn out like Cashflow Dollar, Jimmy Baker or even Obama's preacher.

I can think of a few instances where you and I deserved to be mocked.

Anyways, have a great weekend, smile and God Bless! And no... I won't be having a beer.

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

I think Muddle can speak for himself, btw he's the one that took theology.

Do I know Baptists drink, yeah- so do Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, they all do it.

I think Muddle can speak for himself, I get to see this friend of his soon, and I admire Rich Mullins who is no longer with us- Muddle made the remark his friend said he was like Rich- I don't see how by some of the statements and answers on here- Rich would have never said some of those things. Plus Rich was a in your face Christian, didn't care what you said about him for the cause of Christ. Does that describe Muddle? Well I guess that depends on who you ask. I will ask his friend.

Muddle is on my side-

Muddle can take care of Muddle- sorry I bothered your buddy.

Don't worry I won't bother you buddy about that subject anymore.

He is giving me enough information to discuss with that friend he admires.

Have a good day.

______________________________
We Will Stand

Plus Rich was a in your face Christian, didn't care what you said about him for the cause of Christ

Like Rich, My friend Muddle is an "in your face Christian" and I really don't think he cares what you say about him either. I'll stand by him and I appreciate his concerns about organized religion and it's often times kooky leaders. Those that my friend Muddle mocks are usually the one's that cause seekers to flee God's word because of the fruit or the lack of in which they bare. They cause the seeker to say "if that's what Christianity is all about, I choose not to participate". Unlike many of us, my friend Muddle has a very humorous way of pointing this out.

As for me.... I will follow Muddle over that hill to defend God's word with beer in hand.... Well, in my case a cup of really, really, bold coffee.

Now.. back to work. CHAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGEEEE!!

I love you sister! Peace!

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

This is the sense of humor that man crushes are made of. We do have to laugh at ourselves and hold ourselves accountable. And, in my worthless opinion, our religious preferences should never infringe on personal freedom. Anyhow, have a great weekend, Git.

Kevin "Hack" King

Didn't Friday used to be "make fun of us Christians day" around here, or was that some other blog? BPR seems to be a bit torqued.

If it helps any, I'll drink your share. My father-in-law the minister has always said that God has a sense of humor and how you can look at this world we live in and not believe that is beyond me. One night at dinner I broke him up for hours when I told him the Steve Martin joke about dying and going to heaven and St. Peter meets him and says to him "let's see how many times you took the Lord's name in vain" so he turns to his computer and punch's Steve's name into it and shows Steve the result, Steve looks at it and says" a million six, Jesusssssssssss Chriiiiiiiiisssssstttttttttttttttt.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Hope you enjoy it!

Kevin "Hack" King

Less bearded face!!!!!!!!!?????? Say it ain't so!!!

I do hope that means beer, and yes the beard is gone till the fall when I will become furry once again. Yardman hardly recognized me las Wednesday.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

It probably takes you whopping 8 days to grow a full beard. If the rest of you is like your face then be sure to keep your shirt on this summer. Granny might spotcha, shootcha and fix you up as vittles.

But alas.... do you think you could see your way into donating some hair for a couple of transplant projects. Cy and I would pay you well.

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

I've got a little hair I ain't using, but you probably wouldn't like where it came from. I actually had a guy I worked for in the Navy tell me once that I had to go over and have my hair thinned out as it was too thick, I told him when he could show me the regulation where it said how many hairs per square inch was allowed, I would do something about it. That was one trip I never made.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

I forget what movie it was in, but if you ever see Robin Williams with his shirt off, he could have been one of the actors in a caveman movie, without any added body makeup.

I have a theory that men don't really lose hair; it just migrates south.

I know what you mean about Robin Williams, but I'm not a tenth as hairy as that guy, Git just caught me when it had been awhile since I had trimmed my beard or my hair, Hell I barely have hair on my chest, but we don't want to talk about my ears or eyebrows.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Yeah. It migrates to places that shouldn't be exposed in public. Cept for those nose and ear hairs.
________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

Nose and ear hair has GOT to go. I remember my grandfather having that problem, and my reaction to it as a boy, so that's NOT for me!

That's what they sell those battery-operated nose clippers for.

Hey Riv...

Are those things designed to actually cut the hairs out your nose or are they supposed to snatch the hairs while violently yanking them out causing all kinds of weird involuntary contractions and convulsions followed by possible sneezing and very watery eyes, thus necessitating the need for a rapid and firm nose rubbing to try to git rid of that awful sensation? Sometimes I thing snorting a lit match to burn them out might be less aggravating.

Funny Side Note: When the Gitlets were a tad bit younger they would ask what that buzzing contraption stuck up my nose was. My reply was that it was an automated battery operated bugger picker. The youngest wanted to try it, so I had to tell her that kid's buggers were too small to work with that fine contraption.

Did I spell buggers correct? It's not like I write that word out in my daily work correspondences

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

Hey guy. Are you being productive today or are you hacking away at that little bitty ball? You can have my beer buddy, but if you touch my coffee.....

Thanks for dropping in the other day. Twas good to see you less bearded face. Were you able to salvage any of that bush for the top of Cy's head?

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

Funny story about that beard, I first grew it in the Navy and went without shaving for at least 6 years and my mother hated that beard so one year I shaved it off, put it in her birthday card and mailed it to her.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

It's always pleasant to see you on here. Hope you are having a good day.

______________________________
We Will Stand

Hope you are doing okay. You have a good day too.

If you go fishing with a Mormon make sure you take more than one, otherwise they’ll drink all your beer.

Sonny asked if the legislature should "vote to legalize prostitution if the people want it?" Amazing. He is against referendums even though he was FOR them with respect to the flag and the Gay Marriage Amendment to the Georgia Constitution.

How can he say, with any credibility, that he is "for the Republican principle of individual freedom?" I agree with "give me liberty or give me death." Try and see if Sonny would use the "safe Georgia" argument to push gun control. But, but, but.....

Kevin "Hack" King

I'm going to stay "neutral" on this issue. I am upset that the good governor cited a study which the public is unable to view. If anyone does find the report to view please post the location. Here's the link that I found;

American Journal of Public Health

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

I am a BIG BIG fan of freedom; freedom to vote, drink, smoke, play football and soccer as a 30+ year old person, run with scissors. All of these freedoms have proven dangerous, but that's the "price of freedom." When did the GOP become supporters of the nanny nation??? (unless there is $ to be made at a baseball stadium?)

Kevin "Hack" King

Then again, Sonny is a converted Democrat:)I know, I know, so was Reagan. Whoopie. Reagan wasn't much into the whole conservative bit either on alcohol since he's the one who spearheaded forcing every state to raise the drinking age to 21 under the extortion bit of cutting off all federal highway funds if a state didn't comply. Oh yeah, a shining moment from the man who said he was all about "state's rights.":)

You nailed it with the part about how he and other GA Repubs are so beholden to the religious right that they quickly put aside concepts like liberty, personal responsibility, and limited govt when the pastors call and yank their chains.

The utter stupidity is that in many places in GA you can go consume alcohol on Sunday in a bar, restaurant, stadium, etc. These people are then likely driving after drinking. They want to drink and they can't go buy it retail. If they can buy it in a store, they are likely leaving the store and taking it home to consume, i.e. not driving after drinking. The Perdue and the religious fanatics have their heads in a dark, smelly place on this issue.