Could it be argued that this is unconstitutional, given the fact that "blue laws" are typically in place due to someone's religious preference and the fact that the sale of cars is a pretty secular activity?
2006-12-02 01:34:12 · 9 answers · asked by BugsySkybone 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
OK, Small But Fierce, let me educate you a little. When I say "secular" I am using the Merriam Webster definition of the word, not your misunderstanding/lack of knowledge of the definition. I mean secular as non-religious. And the sale of cars is a non-religious activity. Second, since when is closing a business on the busiest shopping day of the week done "with the economy in mind?" Further, how could that possibly increase sales? The stupidest thing you have ever heard? I'd love to be a fly on the wall in a room where you are telling people your version of reality. I'd probably fall off, though, from laughing so hard.
2006-12-02 02:05:58 · update #1
And Celie, I completely agree with you as it being a great idea for people to take a day off to spend with their families. Religious or not, I'm just curious as to why, in a capitalist society, there would be a law prohibiting the sale of something that has such a huge impact on our economy. I can see an alcohol ban (for a number of reasons) but I am hoping for some insight on the sale of cars. Take Orthodox Jews, for instance. They need cars like the rest of us. Their Sabbath is on Saturday while the Christian Sabbath is on Sundays. Because of this blue law, the Orthodox Jews are limited to Monday through Friday afternoon for car buying.
2006-12-02 02:11:01 · update #2
All of their competitors are closed so there is no disadvantage to any one owner. It allows them to give their employees a day off and cut costs. The Minnesota Auto Dealers Association has actually fought efforts to allow dealerships to open on Sundays.
2006-12-03 19:57:27 · answer #1 · answered by Just trying to help 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, all such laws should be repealed, but legislatures typically have other things to worry about. If the car dealers were to lobby for a change, it would probably happen. In New Mexico for example, you can't buy alcohol in a supermarket until noon on Sundays. I picked up a bottle of wine with my other shopping and reached the checkout at 11:50 - and they wouldn't sell it to me. Such rules are an unreasonable restraint on trade, but will probably be around for a while yet.
2006-12-02 12:00:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, you find this a lot in the "Bible-Belt" states, but it's not exclusive to them. In many states, Sunday is the best day for sales, as most people don't work on Sunday (for many this is their only day off) and can go look at cars without having to rush. This isn't a constitutional problem, remember the seperation between Church and State. If a certain part of society wants to treat Sunday as a Sabbath day, They will do so, and no amount of legislation would be able to change it. I don't know if this is the answer you are looking for, but it's one answer.
2006-12-02 09:47:38 · answer #3 · answered by boots 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look, "Small But Fierce" buying cars is secular because car buying has nothing to do with religion. These laws are idiotic, hurt the economy, and are indefensible without using the Bible.
Some people in these states think it should be illegal to do certain things on THEIR day of worship, so the rest of us have to put up with it.
2006-12-02 11:30:33 · answer #4 · answered by Tyler P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it's not unconstitutional... Blue laws are designed with the economy in mind... it reduces overhead for companies and increases sales... How is selling cars a secular activity??? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard
2006-12-02 09:43:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe that it is really to encourage people not to make their staff work on Sundays so that they can at least have one day off to spend with their families. When I was a kid, a lot of places were closed on Saturdays and Sundays...but America is so commercial now and we are such big time consumers that we just have to shopshopshop...and your boss can make you work anytime, no matter that you never get to spend time with your family. I don't really think it has as much to do with the religious aspect as the work aspect. Think about it.
2006-12-02 09:38:00 · answer #6 · answered by cmpbush 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's an old law that should be changed like many old laws,some of the laws are so strange that it makes you wonder if they were drunk or high when they were wrote!Your right about the base of where it came from,started in the Bible belt states.
2006-12-02 09:38:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like you live on your soapbox.
Live with the system creep....get a job and let the world be !!!!
2006-12-02 10:26:13 · answer #8 · answered by wombat2u2004 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i have never live in one of those state so i wouldn't know . i think it just a stupid idea
2006-12-02 09:41:03 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋