Why don’t we get drunk and…

Earlier this week, an Oklahoma Senate Panel did what Oklahoma Senate Panels do best it.  It made a stupid decision:

A Senate panel rejected a measure that would allow voters to decide if grocery stores could sell strong beer and wine.

The Senate Committee on Business and Labor killed a proposed constitutional amendment to allow grocery stores in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties to sell wine and high-point beer, with four members in favor of the measure and five against it.

Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, said the measure was an "opening attempt" to change liquor laws in Oklahoma. Senate Joint Resolution 62 would have required voters to approve the change"¦

Members voting against the measure included Senators Sean Burrage, D-Claremore; Debbe Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City; David Myers, R-Ponca City; Brogdon and Newberry.

Call me crazy, but if we can make laws that let crazies bring guns to church and force women to get an ultrasound before having an abortion, there should probably be something in place that gives me the right to buy a bottle a wine while I'm at Homeland purchasing the stuff to make Spaghetti.  If not, can't I at least vote for that right?

In all honesty, I think that's a fair question.   So I decided to send an email to the five Senators who rejected the measure.  Check it out after the jump:

From:    The Lost Ogle
To:          garlick@oksenate.gov, holland@oksenate.gov, ingraham@oksenate.gov, newberry@oksenate.gov, brogdon@oksenate.gov
Date:     Tue, Feb 16, 2010 at 8:02 AM
Sub:       Questions

Hello there-

I have a some questions regarding your recent vote to reject a measure that would allow Oklahomans to vote on whether or not grocery stores can sell strong beer and wine.

Question One:  Do you ever drink wine?

Question Two:  What's wrong with letting this issue go to a vote of the people?

Question Three:  Do you believe Oklahomans are not competent enough to vote on the laws that govern them?

Thanks!  I look forward to your response.

- Patrick

I'm not sure why, but none of the State Senators replied to my email.  This is probably because they were getting drunk with some liquor store lobbyist.  Or they don't know how to check email.  It has to be one of the two.

Anyway, hopefully this is just one small step on a long road to getting modern liquor laws in this state.  When it happens, I say we all get hammered.  Who's with me?