It took awhile, but I think I have it figured out. The big boxers convinced us we would keep more of our money if we would only trust them. Hooray for competition, right? I wonder.
Now we’re all trying to figure out if we benefit from privatization. Here’s what I think about what happened and where we are now:
In the state store, I browsed the shelves for my favorite sourmash bourbon, checked the price, paid for it, went home, and relaxed with a drink. Today, at Costco, they had a meager selection of bourbon (not my favorite), including a Kirkland label that was three times the price of my regular buy. Posted prices looked really cheap. But beware, shopper! Somewhere along the aisle was a notice that cashier will add on two whopping taxes. Haven’t wine and beer had those taxes included in their posted price? I mentally calculated the walk-out-the-door price. It would cost the same or slightly more than from the state store. So much for private enterprise. My optimism tanked.
The state-run liquor folks were at least competent enough to calculate the purchase price, add on profit, taxes, and give the consumer an understandable, walk-out-the-door price for the booze. Is the state more competent than Costco and the tag-alongs? Or, is there some devious strategy afoot in private enterprisers?
If this whole business turns out to be a terrible deception to we, the people, we need to re-think what we’ve done to ourselves. Public disgust from having been deceived plows a very fertile ground for a re-vote.
I walked away, and didn’t buy my favorite sourmash. I love red wine, and even more now. It’s good for my health.
Bruce Peseau
Everett
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