Oh, the student gripes I heard when those old fogies in the Georgia Senate decided once again we can’t buy take-out booze on Sundays.

Oh, the bitching about being thirsty on Sundays by those who forgot to bulk up on Saturday.

Gripe, bitch – and there it ended.

Legislation of compelling interest to us students was forced out of the Senate just before a vote, and we didn’t do a thing about it.

We left the playing field to the older crowd – cranky citizens and cowardly politicians fearful of voter backlash if they kill an archaic prohibition against Sunday drinking that stems from a misguided theory that God doesn’t want us to drink.

It’s time our generation made our slurred voices heard.

Let’s demand an answer to this: if it’s OK to drink six days of the week, why not on Sunday?

Should football be cancelled on Sunday to persuade people to go to church more?

And why is purchase of take-out alcohol not illegal on other Sabbaths, such as Friday and Saturday? If a law is to be based on religion, why not all religion?

It’s hard to find a student of voting age who defends the current prohibition of Sunday sales.

So, let’s bring that political strength to where it will be felt – at the polls in 2010. Many of us have one thing to offer that some older voters do not: an open mind.

Politicians need to establish loyalties in our generation of voters by fighting for things we want. That can be translated into more influence on policy than I ever would have imagined before turning 18 a few years back.

If we get motivated that is voting power of more than 30,000 people on the University campus alone. No state senators would dare ignore that, especially if their seats are up for grabs.

Many students are like me – we couldn’t care less about voting in nonpresidential elections. But this time we’re left with no choice.

Politicians are in power only because voters chose for them to represent our best interests. If Georgia politicians can’t figure it out for themselves, our younger generation of voters should punish them at the polls.

That’s the only thing they seem to care about.

And a memo to Gov. Sonny Perdue: If you stand in the way of Sunday sales as you have said repeatedly you will, it may be time you change your professional venue. Maybe we’ll see you behind the counter at a Golden Pantry working the register while we’re buying beer . on a Sunday.

- Chris Giallanza is a senior from Snellville majoring in journalism.