In the U.S you pay approx. $.75/beer; $10/ 750 ml bottle booze; say, $8/750 ml bottle wine.

In Canada we pay on a very rough average, $1.75/bottle of beer; about $25/750ml bottle of booze/spirits; $15/750ml bottle wine.

So, with the average sales numbers in the U.S as below, if Canadian prices were charged in the U.S. the extra tax receipts would add up to:

Booze: 2 billion x $15 = $30 billion

Beer: 6.3 trillion x $1 = $6.3 trillion

Wine: 3 billion x $7 = $21 billion

Total: $6.8 trillion/year!

That would be clear dollars into the coffers of the US Gov.

Can’t imagine what that would do for the US economy!

Now, I don't imagine that would be a very popular move...but if those numbers are anywhere near sensible...and if the "new income" was well managed along with spending cuts...

On the other hand, we here in Canada work well into July now before we start earning income for ourselves...and it just keeps creeping forward...but we do have a "free" (oh yeah) health care program (which is becoming very weighty and not sustainable at the increasing prices)... and our politicians just keep spending and promising more right on down to the individual rights of a minority of one, and we don't spend much on our military...etc.