Organize the South

I was taught that democracy is a system in which people have a direct voice in decisions that affect them. This meant that, technically, the US wasn’t a democracy but a republic since elected representatives are the ones who have the ability to directly vote on most issues. Of course, I was taught this in Florida public schools so none of this may be accurate.

Soon residents of Georgia will be able to exercise our basic freedom to make a decision that directly affects us. What could it possibly be about? Perhaps about our economic future? Our sense of budget priorities? No, it’s going to be about alcohol. At least it will be if Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) and 9 others have their way.

Personally, I think this is great. The state ban on alcohol sales is simply stupid. If you are a Christian and don’t believe in drinking on the Sabbath, then don’t. I’m not a Christian, so when I watch the Falcons lose I want (need!) a beer. Politics don’t have to be complicated.

What I think is truly interesting is Harp’s reason for allowing communities to vote on Sunday sales. He wants our communities to have “local control of local issues." He was quoted in the AJC as saying, "I believe strongly that we as senators have a responsibility first to the citizens of our districts. The opportunity to let them make that decision is among the most fundamental rights that exist in our form of government."

Wow! What a swell guy. Too bad it smacks of bullshit hypocrisy.

I remember 2005. In 2005 there were two bills, both originally sponsored in the House by my favorite fascist Earl Ehrart (R-Powder Springs), number HB 67 and HB 59. HB 67 prevented local governments across Georgia from enacting laws requiring organizations to extend domestic benefits to gay couples. This state bill made sure the City of Atlanta couldn’t require the Druid Hills Golf Club to extend marriage benefits to gay couples. HB 59 prevented local governments from giving contractual preferences to companies that pay higher than the federal minimum wage. This bill made sure the City of Atlanta didn’t penalize companies that spread poverty when coming up with criteria on contracts. Sen. Harp voted yes on both of these bills when they came up in the Senate.

Now you may believe that gay people don’t deserve equality. You may even believe that companies that force taxpayers to pay for the poverty created by low wages are good for the country. You may even want your local government to further these policies. If you do, I believe you’re seriously deluded. However, wouldn’t it be up to the citizens in your community to have this debate? If you wanted these policies in your community, wouldn’t it be best if your community passed the laws? Wouldn’t it be just a tad strange, dare I say hypocritical, for a senator to say the people deciding on alcohol sales on Sunday is a grand demonstration of the power of democracy, but those same people should have no say on the nature of equality or their own economic future? Would his vote have anything to do with the campaign contributions he received from beer wholesaler James Zachry back in 2005? Could it be just a simple coincidence? Sure, he also got that contribution from Wholesale Distributors for Good Government, an alcohol PAC, but what could that really mean? His vote against a living wage probably also had nothing to do with the thousands of dollars in contributions from building contractors, nursing homes, insurance companies, and other business types. You know, those folks who pay poverty wages. Wouldn’t a democracy, however one defines it, be a system where all people, not just the ones with deep pockets, get to decide on policy?

Perhaps Sen. Harp could take a moment to think about the double standard. If he would like, I would be happy to buy him a beer and discuss this further.