There has been a ton of controversy over I-1183. Just like last your with I-1100 and, to a smaller extend, I-1105. Mostly because people are either to ignorant or too lazy to read the text of the bill themselves.
Although, to be fair, I’d guess a majority of the people who vote wouldn’t even understand what it was they were reading, assuming they could take the time out from watching sitcoms to be bothered to read the bill.
The long and short of it is, if this bill fails, it will be because of lies. It won’t even be partially because of lies, it will be entirely, 100%, because of lies. I have not seen one single ad against this bill that was made of of anything remotely resembling the truth. To the point that I think the people that run the campaigns against this initiative should be put on trial for blatantly misleading the public.
There are two that I have seen on TV and heard on the radio that are just in-your-face with their lies. The first one talks about the “new” 27% tax that will be added to the liquor sales. It doesn’t mention anything about the states' current markup of 52% (on average) being done away with, so that consumers come out money ahead. It also talks about the loss of revenue for the state first responders in this ad. Amazing, considering that 27% is going to replace the current 52% markup, and the state will be making MORE money because they don’t have to pay the wages, lease, electric bill, water bill, etc. for all these fine state run locations. It’s actually going to be roughly a 5% – 7% INCREASE in first responder funding.
The other ad, which is also prevelent on the internet, shows three kids, obviously under age, buying what you’re supposed to assume is a bottle of liquor at a convenience store. It talks about increasing access to hard alcohol for children. Never mind the fact that state-run stores fail to follow state laws requiring ID be presented an average of 33% of the time, as opposed to 25% for private retailers. Never mind the fact that convenience stores will not be allowed to carry hard alcohol, except in the rare cases where they are the only location in a specific geographic area that wants to sell it. Never mind the fact that statistics on teen alcohol consumption show that the youngsters don’t like hard alcohol nearly as much as they want you to believe, and typically prefer light beer and wine coolers.
If you haven’t voted, it’s your last chance. Ballots need to be post marked by tomorrow, 11/08/11, or you’ve lost your chance to make your voice heard.
For more information on Initiative 1183, check out http://factson1183.com/?utm_source=gsearch&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=Yes1183Target, or read the full bill at http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/PreviousElections/2011/general/Documents/1183%20Full%20Text%20for%20VP.pdf.
Please remember, if you can’t be bothered to read the FACTS about something and understand the issues you’re voting on, skip that line on your ballot. The only thing worse than not voting at all is voting on things based on what you see on television and hear on the radio. In politics, unless you read and understand that actual law, bill, or initiative in question, you do not have all the facts, and an ignorant voter is as dangerous as a monkey with a machine gun.
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