This is just another example of our “Elected Representatives” looking for another way into our pocket book. If Assemblyman Jim Beall really had his constituents best interests in mind, he would look for a way to cut spending and forget about looking for more tax dollars to spend on some current scam.

Regarding Mr. Beale's statement, "The people who use alcohol should pay for part of the cost to society, just like we've accepted that concept with tobacco", I take great exception to that comparison. To suggest that beer compares with cigarettes is to say that all who drink it are addicted to alcohol, which really couldn't be farther from the truth. The fact is, most people who drink beer, tend to do so in moderation; for casual enjoyment, not abuse. It is just a certain amount of young people and alcoholics who tend to abuse beer to the point of endangering their own health or the safety of others around them. To penalize the entire population for the actions of a few, by proposing to levy a tax increase on beer, is not only unfair to those of us who do not abuse this beverage, but it is unreasonable beyond compare. Also, to suggest that drinking beer in itself is unhealthy, actually goes against what medical science has been telling us of late: that if ingested in moderation, it is actually quite healthy for one's heart. So, with this in mind, I submit that beer is not the 'Liquid Darth Vader' that this legislator would want us all to believe it to be. The actual enemy instead is the government's lust for gaining more potential revenue through whatever means possible.

I see that you're trying to be funny. But if you're also trying to present objective reporting on this issue, then why 1) make light of a subject that is not that funny, and 2) present flippant questions that don't actually allow people to weigh in on whether they would support a tax?

Of course, seeing that you have five (and perhaps now six) anti-tax comments.... By the way, I'd support a slightly higher tax, but $0.30 per bottle seems excessive. Why not tax coffee drinkers? They (ok, we) already are willing to pay egregious prices, what's another $0.30?

There is many financial burdens to families and the public as a result of drinking and alcoholism. Many social drinkers do become alcoholics. We all here in East County have seen what teen drinking (keg parties) impact not only the teens but also those around them(many innocent bystanders). Married couples argue more when drinking and the effects are seen in the children. The arguments sometimes escalate to murder of spouces.

How many babies are born alcoholic? How many children go without food because of drinking? How many families are ruined because of drinking? How many people die on our roads because of just one more beer?

I think they should TAX ALL ALCOHOL!