LEGAL ALCOHOL IS LIKE PROSTITUTION

Dear editor:

I am not surprised, but I am very disappointed in our mayor, city
council, etc. going along with the "liquor crowd" in their continued
efforts to legalize the sale of liquor (alcoholic drinks) in our city
of Albertville.

Any well-informed person should know that "alcohol is the number one
drug problem" facing our nation today. Would our mayor, city council,
etc. go along with legalizing the sale of other drugs such as
marijuana, meth, cocaine, etc.? On what basis would they oppose the
legalization of the sale of these drugs and condone the legalizing of
the sell of alcohol? They cannot consistently oppose such. Wouldn't
the revenue from these things (along with the related businesses that
would come in) really add money to the "coffers" of our city according
to the argument made in favor of legalizing the sale of alcohol?

Would the mayor, city council, etc. go along with legalizing gambling
and prostitution under the pretense of improving our city and
furthering the education of our children? If they are consistent, they
would. The same arguments that are made in an effort to justify
legalizing the sale of liquor can be made with equal force to legalize
the other drugs mentioned above and also the evils of gambling and
prostitution. They would not dare do so at this time.

I believe it is immoral to legalize the sale of any of them because of
the evil fruit it produces (see Matthew 7:16-20; Luke 6:43-44). The use
of alcohol produces such fruit as drunkenness, murders, thefts, drug
addictions, adulteries, etc. The use of alcohol often destroys marriages
and breaks up families. Children are separated from either one or both
parents because of the use of alcohol. Its use often causes wives and
children to suffer from a lack of food, clothing, heat, etc. Question:
Can we afford to legalize the sale of such a "monster" under the
pretense of "improving our city" and furthering "the education of our
children"? When we legalize a thing, we place our stamp of approval upon
its use.

Neither do I accept the idea that the sale of alcohol in cities,
counties and states provides more net income than the consequences of
drinking such cost. There are additional costs in police protection,
fires, vehicle accidents, vehicle repairs, insurance, emergency room
visits, health expenses due to alcohol-related accidents,
alcohol-related addiction and diseases, deaths, funeral expenses, etc.
that result from the consumption of liquor. Need I say more?

If legalizing the sale of alcoholic drinks is the answer "to raising
money for the education of our children" and for "improvement of our
city", please tell us why do the cities, counties and states that
legalize the sale of liquor ever have problems from that point on with
"money for the education of our children" and for "city improvements"
once they have legalized the sale of liquor? We should be able to
expect honest answers to legitimate questions, but usually honest
answers are not forthcoming.

The next step after legalizing the sale of liquor is to legalize
gambling. The proponents know they must "legalize their evils"
incrementally or most people would be able to see through the "smoke
screens" they send out each time.

Instead of trying to "legalize" such evils as those mentioned above, I
suggest that our city leaders follow the initiatives taken by the Boaz
City leaders and get out and work hard to bring in honest industry.
What do you say?

Carrol Ray Sutton,

Albertville