Seeing Red Over Blue Laws
Virginia's recent accidental re-imposition of blue laws–and the frenzy it's inciting–is a reminder of how many major social advances become taken for granted once they happen.
It's amazing to recall that only 25 or 30 years ago, most states had blue laws (some still do but they are rarely enforced), religious-based restrictions on buying and selling on the Sabbath. It's hard to square with today's 24/7 business cycle, but I can remember whole sections of stores being cordoned off on Sundays.
Virginia's recent snafu is a reminder, too, that far more potent restrictions still exist on the buying and selling of booze, and not just on Sundays. Isn't it about time we moved past those olde-tyme prohibitions, too?
