Most of us have walked out of an all-you-can-eat buffet wishing that we'd quit one plate sooner.
And more than a few of us probably have awakened on Saturday wishing the Department of Natural Resources would put limits on what we can consume during our favorite restaurant's Friday fish fry.
It's no secret why we overdo it. After we've paid our money, that little voice in the back of our head that says "Take it easy" too often is drowned out by a louder voice that shouts "Get your money's worth!"
But when we're being served alcohol, not fish or fettuccini, the potential consequences of listening to that voice are far worse than indigestion.
That's why we support Rep. Morrie Lanning's continuing effort to pass a statewide ban on so-called "bottomless drink specials." Lanning, a Republican from Moorhead, introduced a bill in the Legislature last March, but it never made it out of committee.
He's trying again, and given that college-age students in Winona, St. Cloud and Mankato have died of alcohol poisoning since school began in September, we hope his proposal is well-received in St. Paul. Binge drinking is a growing problem in Minnesota, especially among young people, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out bottomless drinks are an invitation to trouble.
But issues that appear crystal clear now have a way of getting muddied once the legislative session begins. Opponents of Lanning's proposal will argue that it won't end binge drinking. That's true. If people are determined to drink excessively, they'll find a way.
"You'd still have drinking taking place before people get to the bars, and after they leave the bars. And at bars, people would still be buying drinks for their friends." said Rep. Andy Welti, a Democrat from Plainview. "I have strong reservations about whether this bill will truly address the issue of overconsumption."
Welti also pointed out, correctly, that a ban probably won't be adequate. The Legislature would have to address what constitutes a legitimate "drink special," and what would violate the principal of the law, if not the letter.
"We can pass this, but then are we going to set a minimum price per drink?" he said. "We would have to anticipate with this bill how bars will create new drink specials to bring the people in, just like they did before with bottomless drink specials."
To its credit, Mankato isn't waiting for the Legislature to take action. Effective Jan. 1, the city banned bottomless drink specials. And, if Lanning's proposal doesn't become law statewide, Rochester officials ought to consider following Mankato's lead.
The risk here is very real. At least one bar in Rochester offers "bottomless beer cups" once each week, and there are reports that others businesses have "unofficial" specials that allow customers free refills on certain evenings. What's worse, these specials run to closing time, which could put people behind the wheel shortly after consuming a lot of alcohol.
That's a dangerous cocktail.
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