WSU Trumpet

I don't understand why we have liquor laws at all in Utah. It drives me crazy. The only law that should exist is "Alcohol will not be tolerated." Period. I think they ought to shut down all Utah Liquor stores, ship out all beer and heavily fine anyone caught with even a drop of the vile stuff on them.

Sound drastic? Ask the family of someone killed or maimed by a drunk driver. Ask the family of an alcoholic. What do you think they will say? Do you think that they will give exceptions to the consumption of alcohol? Alcohol does not and never has done any good for society. There is no use for it other than to clean things. I use a bit of isopropyl alcohol to sterilize things and to lower the freezing point of windshield washer fluid. Other than that, I have no use for alcohol. No one else should have any other use for alcohol. That's all there is to it.

I apologize if I sound harsh, but my heart aches every time I hear of someone becoming the victim of a drunk driver. I think that penalties for DUI or DWI should be so stiff that no one would even consider driving while intoxicated. For instance:

• First offense: Mandatory 5 years in the slammer; $25,000 fine. Mandatory.
• Second offense: Mandatory 10 years in the slammer; $100,000 fine. Mandatory.
• Third offense: Mandatory life in prison, w/o possibility of parole. You will die in prison.

Sorry, but that's the way it should be.