Letter to the Editor: Speaking of that

Dear Editor,

Thank you for publishing the article, “SPEAKING OF THAT: Keep the bars open later to control DUIs,” in the Thursday edition of the DM.

While Taylor McGraw described a student’s night on the town rather well, I feel he lacks a basic understanding of liberty, property rights, and economic value.

Aren’t we still suffering from a recession? 

Bar and restaurant owners should not be forced to close their doors when there are citizens actively trying to purchase the goods sold there; this is one of the basic concepts of liberty and of property rights. 

Owners’ revenues would increase immediately and dramatically by allowing closure at their leisure. Increased revenues would mean more jobs for the citizens of our area, which is desperately needed in this recession.  

By forcing the entire Square to close at a certain time, Oxford is asking for a surge of drunk drivers, rather than allowing them to leave at their convenience. 

The latter is also a basic concept of liberty, while force is a form of tyranny.

Gone are the days where prison sentences and fines are imposed only for crimes that have victims, and the state of Mississippi is reaping the rewards. 

The average punishment for driving under the influence of alcohol is close to $1,000. 

This amount, which includes fines, alcohol safety programs, bail, and impound fees, goes directly to the state.  

We live in a protectionist society that believes the governing bodies make better decisions than the individual. I completely disagree with this stance, and it is an all-or-nothing matter. 

Once you allow a small trespass into your liberty, larger ones will always follow.    

Had our founding fathers been told what time to leave the local tavern, the American Revolution may have started quite differently.

In liberty,

Shane G.

Local citizen