Meet ‘The System’. It’s the man. The System. The alcohol monopoly of Sweden, and I’m in the queue. Like an addict.

Watch this to get a better understanding of why it’s running things.

Basically, since a long time ago, Sweden was the highest consumers of alcohol in Europe, much thanks to the vikings. Now, it’s the lowest, no thanks to the System. The monopoly was put in place to control the consumption of alcohol. Back in the day, you used to have to keep a log book of your purchases, so that the System, and effectively, the Government, could keep a watchful eye over your alcohol consumption.

Now-a-days, we stand in line, like rats at a food dispenser.

But, it’s cheap. Like, really cheap. Like, beer for AUD$2.00 a can cheap.

This is because the System also, while owning the alcohol retail industry, also is not for profit. In other words, the alcohol is cost price. The System doesn’t believe in profiting from alcohol. This is good for me, because I can buy what would be AUD$40 Wyndham Estate Bin 555 for around AUD$10.

That’s right.

However, the Swedes think the System is expensive and are constantly trying to boycott the institution. But, from an outsider looking in, this is one of the best ideas a Government can come up with.

Not only is alcohol related death, injury, violence (domestic and street), and sickness at an all time low in this country, it is also well respected by it’s consumers and never abused.

Confused? Me too. I waited for 20 minutes in that line only to scurry around the beer and wine isles like a crack addict scurrying for 10 cents.

Same same, but different. Naa mean?