But that's part of the problem with restrictive laws: it takes an equally vocal and impassioned opposing view to change things, given that the vast majority of people generally don't care one way or the other. And, with respect to alcohol laws, those few in favor of less restrictive laws haven't been terribly fervent about it as to effect change. It's just not a big political issue.

Considering that Huntsman made alcohol law reform a specific goal of his, I'm not sure I agree with your comments about campaign attention. But it's not just that, I think it is also not unlike many (if not most) political issues during a campaign: the majority of people don't care one way or another. The choice of whether to tackle an issue depends on the political consequences of doing so from the smaller percentage of people on either side who do care. And let's face it, although the majority of people here probably don't care one way or the other, the conservative folk here who were happy with restrictive laws have far outnumbered the liberal folk who sought less restriction.

Huntsman successfully argued this time, however, that the financial impact was important enough to overcome the perceived negative consequences of reform.

Sure, most people don't care. But for those of us who do drink, it's a wonderful change.

I agree with you that "protecting our youth" was a big component of the argument in favor of the laws, although my guess is that it was also just the most public of the components. And, as you say, it's not a very good argument given that it's not a very effective way of accomplishing the goal.

The only thing I can figure is that it was one of those "well-meaning" laws that was supposed to "protect out youth" or not encourage them to drink. Out of sight, out of mind, or something like that.

Yeah. I don't buy it with video games, either. I actually think it's counter-productive. If you want kids to not pick up drinking – or smoking, or even more dangerous activities – you don't hide it and speak of it in hushed tones and attribute some kind of fascinating taboo or mystique around it. You educate. You don't want their first exposure to these things – or even the first time they think about it – to be when a friend is encouraging them to try it.

So yeah. As far as the liquor laws, I can't say they ever made sense to me, and I'm not at all upset to see them relaxed.

(Is it possible that I am being just a little bit too ignorant here? I mean, I don't see exactly why these laws were necessary in the first place)