General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Moving to Santa Monica, CA? Better Quit Smoking Now! [View all]Douglas Carpenter
(20,226 posts)it was convincing millions of Americana to give up drinking, It was popular when it banned the sale of alcohol to children and minors. It was popular when it greatly reduced the number of bars and severely restricted where and when alcohol could be sold. Across the political spectrum from abolitionist to socialist to Christian fundamentalists to women suffragettes it had great popular support. Then they crossed the line into prohibition and now the Temperance movement is only a footnote in history. Outside of some very narrow cultural elitist circles - people will not accept this kind of intrusion into the privacy of their homes and the privacy of their lives. Liberals and progressives will only isolate themselves from mainstream society even more than they already are by pushing authoritarianism. People can accept reasonable restriction. They will not accept tyranny.