The Ridiculousness of Puritan British Columbia

It's gotta be my age.
Cynicism tends to increase with some life experiences, I think.
I groaned on seeing my snailmail box contain another liquor control board newsletter.
British Columbia's puritanism is alive and well.
Hell, puritanism is growing in B.C.

You see, I've seen governments come and go.
Ideas come and go.
Good and bad.
One thing that never seems to go away is the ludicrosity of the "work" of government departments.

Dumb ideas linger.
Sometimes they grow.

Remember the Winter Olympics in 2010 at Whistler?
And Whistler having to get a special dispensation to allow children inside licensed facilities with their parents--as is allowed all over Europe?
Yup.
Thank goodness that was allowed.

International tourists are used to common sense laws.
A Winter Olympics called for some common sense to be applied to B.C.'s arcane liquor laws.

And how about American tourists?
Americans are used to buying a tank of gas and a six-pack of beer at their local gas station.
Or picking up wine and beer at their local Wal-Mart as they shop for the week's groceries.

A liquor review in B.C. was demanded by many people.

After nearly a year of "consultations with stakeholders" (20 to be exact), Parliamentary Secretary John Yap came out with a 60-page Final Report.
Its contents leave me shaking my head.
And the snailmail newsletter that began this blog entry will leave you shaking yours.

A Mr. Scott, the Assistant Deputy Minister and General Manager (nice title) stated "our staff have been working hard to introduce government's 2014 Liquor Policy Review recommendations." 
That took two years?  Sheesh!
He continued:  "This work has also caused us to reflect on how we can adapt and move forward and understand who we are as an organization..."

Oh for bloody heaven's sake!
...who we are as an organization?

I'll tell you, Mr. Scott, who you are as an organization:  you're head of a system that often seems more intent on the self-preservation of bureaucracy than actually...well...making logical decisions.

Remember tourism?
And plans to have international and America tourists able to purchase liquor more conveniently?

British Columbia's oppressive puritanism wraps a heavy blanket of red tape around liquor, all under the guise of protecting you from yourself.
It's ludicrous.
All that "protecting the public" is a bunch of unabashed and unadulterated drivel.

And today?
Today the liquor control board is conducting "auctions" on which grocery store may apply for up to 18 Special Wine Store licenses.  You only need to throw down a deposit of $25,000 "for each right to apply for a SWS license" you are bidding on.
An auction?
So could it be said that money trumps puritanism?
Oooops ...

But convenience stores and multipurpose stores are not eligible, states the newsletter.

So much for attracting American and international tourists who are used to grabbing a six-pack with a tank of gas or a week's groceries.

"Maybe bureaucrats should get out of their role playing work circles, and actually talk to the average everyday resident and his American and international visitors," suggests Kia.

Nah...the the liquor control board would have to give up the babysitting reins.

Thank goodness Highlands Golf has their liquor license!
It was a nightmare application 15 years ago, encompassing two public hearings.
Lots of yadda, yadda and red tape.

And lots of Puritans.