More on Initiative 1100

This was my post on KOMOnews.com today in response to Ken Schram's endorsement of Initiative 1100.

As you said the "No on 1100" ads try to scare people into believing that allowing grocery stores and mini-marts to sell hard liquor is going to result in more liquor sales to minors.  This is ridiculous.  Two things to consider. 

The state's statistics showing that the success rate for stopping sales to minors is much higher at state stores than at private-sector stores should be taken with grain of salt.  The state has an interest in protecting its monopoly on liquor sales, so believing its statistics is like believing tobacco industry statistics that say cigarettes don't cause cancer . 

Private-sector stores have far more to lose by selling to minors.  They face fines and the potential to lose their ability to sell alcohol.  When was the last time a state-run liquor store was fined or closed down for selling to a minor?  It doesn't happen.