There’s a Latin axiom that says abusus non tollit usum—meaning that abuse does not preclude legitimate use. The folks at the Marin Institute should write it on the blackboard 50 times.
The Marin Institute put out a press release yesterday calling for more states to adopt punitive taxes on what its deems “Big Alcohol” to help pay for the costs alcohol abuse. The truth is the folks at Marin would jump for joy if alcohol were taxed out of existence.
However, alcohol companies sell a perfectly legitimate product that is safely used around the world every day. So why should companies be held responsible through taxes for the irresponsible decisions of a few individuals?
The notion of personal responsibility quickly goes out the door once government tax policy is based on the blame game. What if Ford and Toyota were taxed to pay for car accidents caused by speeders?
The punishment needs to fit the crime—or lack thereof. In addition to all of the other problems with increasing drink taxes, making beer, wine, and spirits producers pay for something they have no direct control over just doesn’t make sense. But coming from a notoriously anti-alcohol organization, that’s par for the course.
