Beer lovers would have to pay a lot more to get their buzz if Assemblyman Jim Beall has his way.

The San Jose Democrat last week proposed raising the tax on beer by $1.80 per six-pack - or 30 cents per can or bottle - a 1,400 percent increase over the current 2-cent-per-can tax.

Beall said the tax would generate $2 billion a year to fund health-care services, crime prevention and programs to prevent underage drinking and addiction.

“The people who use alcohol should pay for part of the cost to society, just like we’ve accepted that concept with tobacco,” Beall said.

This will never happen, but it illustrates the busy-body mindset of Democrats, just as yesterday’s post about mandating exercise programs.