Why We Need A Dispensary Referendum NOW
A well thought-out and literate editorial in this morning’s Daily Times provides the answer. Our District 37 and 38 legislators lack the moral courage and political will to tackle this issue without the cover a referendum would provide.
A referendum is really not necessary. IF Wicomico’s state legislators wanted to abolish this antiquated system, they could do so in January.
IF our Republican members are the true conservatives that they claim to be, we shouldn’t have any problem securing their support. Why do we? How can one claim to be for a free market and yet refuse to abolish a government monopoly?
As for the Democrat members of the Wicomico legislative contingent, I’m a little more sympathetic. The dispensary system (statewide) has historically been a corrupt perk of days gone by and was even used as a perverse electoral tool prior to the 1960’s. Democrats are loathe to give up any tool that once helped them maintain an iron grip on the state house.
As usual, Wicomico’s County Executive is straddling he fence giving lip service to the POSSIBILITY of a referendum, while dragging his heels to keep the measure off of November’s ballot. Ditto for some members of our county council.
Ultimately, no referendum - no action in Annapolis. That is why we need this measure on November’s ballot. Without a vote by the people of Wicomico County, their representatives in Annapolis are simply too scared to touch an issue that should have ceased to be controversial upon ratification of the 21st Amendment.
A referendum itself is not a slam dunk. The Wicomico County Liquor Control Board will not hesitate to spend TAXPAYER MONEY to wage a campaign against its passage. Another corrupt perk of an institution that is no longer relevant.
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