Post #262349 by Rev. Griz on Mon, Oct 23, 2006 11:44 AM

Oh man, don't get me started.

The imbecilic Utah liquor laws, which have had the added benefit of completely destroying the music scene here, are already legendary, but one thing that I was recently made aware of is how the ruling elite here manage to enact blue laws without actually having to admit that's what they are.

Some time ago, the prevailing local religion (not tiki, darnit) made a big deal about how the oh so progressive state had repealed most of the blue laws prohibiting businesses from being open on Sundays. Shortly thereafter, however, a law was passed that most people here don't know about. That law said that car dealerships cannot be open on two consecutive weekend days. In other words, they can be open on Saturday or Sunday, but not both. What business person in their right mind is going to close a car dealership on Saturday to be the only one in the state open on Sunday, especially when half the populace of the state won't shop on Sunday anyway?

Interestingly, the state's most prominent businessman, Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, owns a dozen or so car dealerships in the state and belongs quite in-your-facedly to the local dominant church. Coincidence? Most decidedly not. Do Miller's car dealerships in Arizona close on Sundays? No. Do the Jazz play on Sundays. Yes.

Welcome to life in Utah.

If you need more examples, check out today's breaking news about Mass. Governor Mitt Romney and his presidential campaign staff's not-so-secret meetings with officials from a certain religious organization who claims loudly and frequently that it stays out of politics.