Let the States Decide It!

Lynette Dufton
2 min readJul 11, 2024

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Historically, our beloved Pennsylvania Legislature has gotten some things right. When the 21st amendment ended Prohibition and returned alcoholic beverage regulation back to the states, our eagle-eyed solons saw a cash cow. They established the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board as the sole wholesaler and retailer of wine and liquor in the Commonwealth. The State Stores had crummier selection and higher prices than independent liquor stores in NY or NJ, but billions flowed into Harrisburg.

By the way, after the famous Johnstown Flood in 1889, Harrisburg set an excise tax on liquor across the Commonwealth to rebuild the stricken town. “It’s the least we can do for our neighbors.” 135 years later that tax is still being collected. Presumably, Johnstown has been rebuilt by now, but maybe not.

Pennsylvania led the way in establishing a state lottery. Pennsylvania led the way in casino gambling and today ranks behind only Nevada in revenue. All those dollars allowed our state sales tax to remain at 6% and our state income tax to level around 3% (not applicable to pensions or Social Security, Yay!). We complain about our property taxes but they remain half what NJ property owners pay.

Our beloved Pennsylvania Legislature also has gotten some things horribly wrong. It is now legal for Pennsylvanians to purchase and to set off fireworks. Sure, fireworks are taxed to the hilt and Harrisburg gets their money, but it has been like Omaha Beach on D-Day around here since July 4. There have been at least two house fires and a few barn fires set by fireworks detritus. Bad idea, Harrisburg.

Our safety-conscious solons require seat belt usage in passenger cars. “Click it or Ticket! State Troopers will be on the lookout this holiday weekend!” Meanwhile, for the past twenty years in Pennsylvania. motorcycle jockeys need not wear helmets. The geniuses in Harrisburg decided that someone encased in a 2500 lb car is more susceptible to injury than a bare-headed clown protected only by a leather jacket. A Harley rider crashed into an 18 wheeler on I-78 last week. The Harley rider did not fare well. I assume that the Harley Vote paid off for the legislators who voted to abolish motorcycle helmets.

Donnie avoids the abortion issue by claiming that the individual states should decide it. I’m not sure that the folks who gave us fireworks on demand and helmet-less Harley riders can really be depended upon to make the correct decision on a matter that should be between a woman and her doctor.

By Ed Dufton

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Lynette Dufton
Lynette Dufton

Written by Lynette Dufton

These posts are written by my father, Ed Dufton, who has an incredible knack of condensing the day’s news into a witty and insightful commentary on society.

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