Blue laws vs. personal responsibility

Opinion

It's argued that one can, using statistics, prove whatever one wishes to prove. It's all in the presentation. And that's what Gov. Sonny Perdue has tried to do, using data from a contested study out of New Mexico to urge the General Assembly to avoid the perils of passing a law permitting citizens in communities across Georgia to decide whether or not they wish to legalize the purchase of packaged alcoholic beverages on Sunday. The study Mr. Perdue cites says that alcohol-related deaths increased after New Mexico repealed its Sunday blue laws. Yes, they did, but that's not the whole story, according to those who support legalized, closed container Sunday alcohol sales. While deaths did show an initial increase, they appear to have dropped shortly afterward below the level of fatalities recorded during the blue law period.

What is important is that while the Legislature is considering legalizing on Sunday what is at present legal to sell six days of the week, the governor is making an argument that fools no one - it's intent is to pander to conservative religious factions that would, if they could, ban all alcohol sales. Consider this: Beer, wine and liquor are legal products sold either over the counter or for consumption to adults Monday through Saturday. And in many Georgia communities, including Macon, one can purchase beer, wine or liquor to be consumed on the premises on Sunday.

The Legislature is on the right track, granting the right to Georgia's communities to decide for themselves if they want to stand up for the concept of personal responsibility and permit the sale of alcoholic beverages without restrictions of a purely religious nature. It's interesting the Republican mandate supports the concept of keeping government out of the lives of citizens to the greatest degree possible. Gov. Perdue, who converted to membership in the Grand Old Party some years back, might do well to recall some of his adopted party's basic planks. The time is ripe for the Georgia Legislature to let people decide what they want to do on this issue.

Phil Dodson/for the Editorial Board