Prohibitions Supporters
If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. This is trite but true regarding support for the United States’ drug war.
I believe most people eligible to vote in the last national election gave not one nit of thought to prohibition for a number of reasons. Support for the drug war seems to come from four major groups:
1. Too busy to get involved
2. The horse race mentality
3. The personality mentality
4. Actual supporters of Prohibition
(pull)The first category “Too busy to get involved†mostly do not vote.(/pull) The idealism of youth is a distant memory for this group. They are white and blue color workers focused intensely on taking care of their families and trying to make a better life. They are much more concerned with careers than freedom. This group does not have time for reflection. Any conversation about ideals or philosophy is just that, conversation. This group represents the brightest hope for change. They will not be a good source of money or activist, but getting them to the poles to vote for a change is doable.
The second group is “the horse race mentalityâ€. They are interested in picking a winner only. These competitive types are always a democrat or a republican. They include a large part of the political and social spectrum. Their defining quality is that regardless of political conviction, they are compelled to vote for a democrat or a republican in order to have a chance of “winningâ€. Because prohibition is a plank in both party’s platforms, this group settles for no choice rather than “throw their vote awayâ€. Paradoxically, most anti prohibitionists are in this group. They suffer the same affliction as compulsive gamblers. Maybe a hot tip at the right time could stampede them in the right direction on Election Day.
The third group is “The personality mentalityâ€. These voters hold the strongest yet emptiest opinions. They see no shame in discussing a candidates dress or manner. Ideas are no match for a winning smile. This group invariable selects the younger and better looking candidate. Bill Clinton owns this group for life unless he runs against JFK. They rationalize any policy, including prohibition, associated with the best looking candidate. They are in a word shallow. A charismatic anti prohibitionist could get some votes here.
The fourth and last group is “Actual supporters of Prohibitionâ€. This group is fully ensconced in the government propaganda. To them someone disrespecting a drug law is just an unruly child and must be disciplined for his or her own good. Unbelievably a five or ten year sentence is considered a “slap on the wrist†to these draconian parents. They are a waste of time. Their support for prohibition is petrified. Any government invasions into the lives of Americans is to these people just a warm loving intervention by a kind and caring paternal entity with limitless power. God and government are synonymous to these idiots. This groups most damning quality is that they are always in power.
Arguing with someone who would organize his or her neighbors to control your behavior in your home is a waste of time. They are like terrorist except you cannot shoot them. However, the first three groups may be subject to influence. Leaving information lying around hoping that they will read it and change is not working. The government and the mainstream media are in lock step support of prohibition. We must confront our fellow citizens in the work places, churches, clubs and schools. We must make even passive support for prohibition something that people come to see as politically incorrect. We must create a movement in these groups that does not now exist.
Rick Wolfe