Comments on: What are the real motives behind the 12,000% alcohol tax?

By: nochancethiswillpass

nochancethiswillpass — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 01:22:32 +0000

I want to know what the Whitney's have been smoking and were can I get some? This is the most idiotic thing I have ever read. They will single handedly ruin the wine industry in California, put thousands and thousands people out of work, the increase in crime alone would bankrupt our state further. You people our idiots.

By: MrBill

MrBill — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 10:44:55 +0000

I wonder how the Whitney's will react ot the dramatic increase in crime when “bootleggers” bring alcohol in from other states to sell under the table. That's what started Al Capone's rackets and that's how old Joe Kennedy made his fortune (supplying Canadian booze to the mob).

By: scerruti

scerruti — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:45:48 +0000

I am curious about whether any of it will turn out to be true. I sent Mr. Whitney an email, but unfortunately I imagine he is going to have a hard time wading through his inbox.

By: John Cesano

John Cesano — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:43:01 +0000

Great post. I've expanded a little on your research. Thanks for the terrific detective work.

By: scerruti

scerruti — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:34:49 +0000

Thank you so much for the comment. I think it has been well established that Kent and Josie Whitney are from San Diego, but I have yet to get any confirmation about their link to 21st Century Wellness Initiative, or even what the company does. I have sent an email requesting additional information but have not heard back.

This particular situation though really shines a light on the problems of the California proposition system for creating laws. The system tends to create a bunch of knee jerk, special purpose laws that have unintended consequences on other areas of government and that compound over time.

By: Who is behind the “Alcohol-Related Harm and Damage Services Act of 2010″ Initiative? « John on Wine

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:14:26 +0000

[...] V Bit Set, an intrepid blogger, looked for answers yesterday, and I have piggybacked on the initial research. [...]

By: Cheryl Elizabeth Assaf

Cheryl Elizabeth Assaf — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:58:00 +0000

Thanks for this info…I was wondering just who was behind this massive alcohol tax.

By: Prohibition Through Taxation | Brookston Beer Bulletin

Prohibition Through Taxation | Brookston Beer Bulletin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:28:05 +0000

[...] Those are good questions, I think, and there’s at least one very disturbing possibility. The V Bit Set speculates that it may be simply for money. Doing some detective work, internet style, he points [...]