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Source: Detroit Free Press

BY LOYCE LESTER AND CURTIS WILLIAMS

Jun 30th

“Don’t let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you. For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper.”

That’s a saying from Proverbs. Yet Jesus turned water into wine when it ran out at a wedding. Wine is taken as a remembrance of our savior’s blood, yet too much wine is the downfall of kings.

Mountains of biblical scholarship, debating the meaning of Hebrew and Greek words, have been devoted to parsing the good book’s stance on alcohol. However, Americans have generally agreed that moderation is the key to healthy, moral living.

Our local regulations on alcohol reflect that view. Beer, wine and spirits may be only sold in licensed locations at appropriate hours, and drinking too much will land you in jail, particularly if you decide to get behind the wheel. These laws are the embodiment of our local values and serve to protect innocent citizens from the poor judgment caused by drunkenness.

These laws and our values are now under attack, besieged by corporate greed. Unfortunately, Michigan is on the front lines.

Major brewers and wineries as well as big-box retailers have filed a barrage of lawsuits against state and local governments that threaten to unravel the very alcohol regulations that keep our streets safe, keep our children healthy and protect our values. Without federal legislation clarifying the states’ legal authority to regulate alcohol sales (known as the Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness Act, or CARE), profit-hungry corporate interests will inevitably overturn these laws and invite a new epidemic of alcoholism in America.

Michigan has been at the epicenter of this showdown between community values and the foreign-owned alcohol producers and giant retailers. A Supreme Court ruling, Granholm v. Heald, has been intentionally mischaracterized by producers and retailers as calling into question the states’ 21st Amendment right to regulate the sale and distribution of alcohol in favor of businesses’ right to engage in unrestricted interstate commerce.

Citing the Granholm decision, retailers, brewers and wineries have gone on the legal offensive, filing 26 separate lawsuits in an effort to overturn state and local laws regulating alcohol. As recently as 2008, a Florida-based retailer successfully sued the Michigan government and overturned more regulations regarding the distribution of alcohol. The judge in this case cited the Granholm decision.

The result of repealing these regulations is clear. Retailers and brewers will sell more alcohol at often cut-rate prices to more people, including minors.

The current laws establish a strict regime in which the state can effectively monitor alcohol sales, ensure that alcohol is safe, distributed to responsible retailers, restaurants and bars, and not sold to minors. These laws also establish an independent third party

- wholesalers – that block incentives from retailers and brewers to encourage binge drinking through deep discounts or even loss-leading practices.

Without these laws, alcohol will be sold just like bottled water.

Why wouldn’t we desire such an outcome? Retailers and brewers would make larger profits without being bothered by regulations. However, studies have shown that increasing the availability of alcohol encourages more irresponsible drinking, including underage drinking. Studies have also shown that the more outlets selling alcohol, the greater the number of alcohol-related violence and automobile accidents.

England provides the most frightening case study. After virtually eliminating alcohol regulations in 2005, alcohol became widely available at heavily discounted prices. Often, beer was priced below water in grocery stores. As a result, police have reported higher rates of alcohol-related violent behavior, underage drinking and binge drinking.

Our ministries put us in daily contact with the least fortunate in our communities, many of whom battle serious alcohol-related problems. We work tirelessly to provide a loving, caring, safe haven for people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, helping them to understand that they are loved, that God forgives them, and that they can rebuild their lives. It is difficult to imagine that our court system would allow the profit motives of large corporations to grow the rolls of those afflicted by the terrible disease of alcoholism.

State governments are no match for the well-funded legal assault that is bent on alcohol deregulation. Federal legislation is essential. By clarifying the states’ 21st Amendment right to regulate alcohol, the CARE Act of 2010 would stop the legal onslaught that threatens to plunge many more Americans into alcoholism.

Our health, future and community values are dependent on this legislation.

The Rev. Dr. Loyce Lester is pastor of Original New Grace Baptist Church in Detroit. The Rev. Curtis Williams is pastor of Aijalon Baptist Church in Detroit.

Source: Detroit Free PressBY LOYCE LESTER AND CURTIS WILLIAMSJun 30th”Don’t let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you. For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper.”That’s a saying from Proverbs. Yet Jesus turned water into wine when it ran out at a wedding. Wine is taken as a remembrance of our savior’s blood, yet too much wine is the downfall of kings.Mountains of biblical scholarship, debating the meaning of Hebrew and Greek words, have been devoted to parsing the good book’s stance on alcohol. However, Americans have generally agreed that moderation is the key to healthy, moral living.Our local regulations on alcohol reflect that view. Beer, wine and spirits may be only sold in licensed locations at appropriate hours, and drinking too much will land you in jail, particularly if you decide to get behind the wheel. These laws are the embodiment of our local values and serve to protect innocent citizens from the poor judgment caused by drunkenness.These laws and our values are now under attack, besieged by corporate greed. Unfortunately, Michigan is on the front lines.Major brewers and wineries as well as big-box retailers have filed a barrage of lawsuits against state and local governments that threaten to unravel the very alcohol regulations that keep our streets safe, keep our children healthy and protect our values. Without federal legislation clarifying the states’ legal authority to regulate alcohol sales (known as the Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness Act, or CARE), profit-hungry corporate interests will inevitably overturn these laws and invite a new epidemic of alcoholism in America.Michigan has been at the epicenter of this showdown between community values and the foreign-owned alcohol producers and giant retailers. A Supreme Court ruling, Granholm v. Heald, has been intentionally mischaracterized by producers and retailers as calling into question the states’ 21st Amendment right to regulate the sale and distribution of alcohol in favor of businesses’ right to engage in unrestricted interstate commerce.Citing the Granholm decision, retailers, brewers and wineries have gone on the legal offensive, filing 26 separate lawsuits in an effort to overturn state and local laws regulating alcohol. As recently as 2008, a Florida-based retailer successfully sued the Michigan government and overturned more regulations regarding the distribution of alcohol. The judge in this case cited the Granholm decision.The result of repealing these regulations is clear. Retailers and brewers will sell more alcohol at often cut-rate prices to more people, including minors.The current laws establish a strict regime in which the state can effectively monitor alcohol sales, ensure that alcohol is safe, distributed to responsible retailers, restaurants and bars, and not sold to minors. These laws also establish an independent third party- wholesalers – that block incentives from retailers and brewers to encourage binge drinking through deep discounts or even loss-leading practices.Without these laws, alcohol will be sold just like bottled water.Why wouldn’t we desire such an outcome? Retailers and brewers would make larger profits without being bothered by regulations. However, studies have shown that increasing the availability of alcohol encourages more irresponsible drinking, including underage drinking. Studies have also shown that the more outlets selling alcohol, the greater the number of alcohol-related violence and automobile accidents.England provides the most frightening case study. After virtually eliminating alcohol regulations in 2005, alcohol became widely available at heavily discounted prices. Often, beer was priced below water in grocery stores. As a result, police have reported higher rates of alcohol-related violent behavior, underage drinking and binge drinking.Our ministries put us in daily contact with the least fortunate in our communities, many of whom battle serious alcohol-related problems. We work tirelessly to provide a loving, caring, safe haven for people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, helping them to understand that they are loved, that God forgives them, and that they can rebuild their lives. It is difficult to imagine that our court system would allow the profit motives of large corporations to grow the rolls of those afflicted by the terrible disease of alcoholism.State governments are no match for the well-funded legal assault that is bent on alcohol deregulation. Federal legislation is essential. By clarifying the states’ 21st Amendment right to regulate alcohol, the CARE Act of 2010 would stop the legal onslaught that threatens to plunge many more Americans into alcoholism.Our health, future and community values are dependent on this legislation.The Rev. Dr. Loyce Lester is pastor of Original New Grace Baptist Church in Detroit. The Rev. Curtis Williams is pastor of Aijalon Baptist Church in Detroit.

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