Challenging Mandated Distribution: Time for Change
I read this with interest today. "Wine and spirits wholesalers employ more than 86,000 Americans across every state and congressional district who earn a collective $7.8 billion in annual wages as part of an industry that generates more than $40 billion in tax revenue each year."
Then I ask myself a few questions:
Who enables those jobs, oh, that would be the producer of the products?
If they were not in the middle (mandated) what would happen?
That $40 billion would still be collected by the retailer and direct shipper
Prices may be lower (very likely)
Producers would likely make more money, employ more folks, and expand their business.
My other thoughts:
I also question the "American" focus, because many of those jobs are really supporting imported products over domestic products.
There are producers who create American jobs across every state and congressional district, but appear to have no voice in this discussion.
We would have a more dynamic marketplace allowing craft producers to sell direct.
I still think wholesalers have their place, like any other bulk mover of products. But no other industry has a mandated system with no justification as to why it is needed. Just because it was, does not justify why it has to be.
So please, stop the rhetoric and actually support the producers that allow you to employ those 86,000 American individuals and maybe together we can increase that number as well. Time for a change.