Cramming it down our throats

On Tuesday, April 8, 2008, the Board of Commissioners voted, with a tiebreaker from the chairman, to allow the citizens of Oconee County, and those who would to choose to come visit, to choose to have a glass of wine or beer with our supper. According to the Oconee Enterprise Commissioners Don Norris and Jim Luke voted for the ordinance allowing the sale of wine and beer, while Commissioners Margaret Hale and Chuck Horton voted against it.

People are outraged. Some people anyway. Really, maybe not so many. But they are outraged. "The majority has spoken when they voted against liquor by the drink. The Commission has defied the people," they say. "The commission is forcing this ordinance down our throats."

Now, that's the difference between our sort of government and mob rule. Sometimes, the will of the majority is not allowed to remove choice from the hands of the citizenry. In no way is anyone being forced to have beer or wine with dinner, or even to go to a restaurant that will serve your fellow diners such demon potions. No, Ryan's and Cracker Barrel will likely remain there for all to enjoy.

Instead, the rest of us, who do not wish to foist our ideals on everyone else, may have the choice of some finer establishments. Other individuals and potential businesses who might call Oconee home would like that choice too. We must all learn to live among these differing ideals, and different choices.

So, for the first time in more than a century, those that wish not to have alcohol with their dinner can no longer force that decision down the collective throats of the citizenry, whether they agree or not. We all get to choose.

But please, no white wine with your steak. OK?