addicted to the state

the more that governments depend on the vices of their citizens, the wackier stuff gets. as i've often said, after gambling and addictive substances are monopolized or taxed at a high rate and revenues level off, you can expect government to become your panderer or pornographer. the nyt says they're "raising money from people who enjoy a drink or two." but of course they're raising much more money per capita from people who enjoy or at least imbibe seventeen or eighteen, or who never stop at all. then they'll require to you to buy health insurance, i guess.