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In reply to the discussion: President Obama's puzzling silence on marijuana policy [View all]RainDog
(28,784 posts)115. FDR and the End of Prohibition
Last edited Sat Jan 7, 2012, 12:54 AM - Edit history (1)
During the election campaign, FDR made one unequivocal speech endorsing repeal. Otherwise, both candidates successfully avoided the issue, despite- or perhaps because of- their having taken opposite positions. "Politics is the art of changing the subject," observed Walter Mondale many years later.
When the only thing standing in the way of repeal was the election of FDR, thousands of "wets" and hundreds of "wet" organizations moved unambiguously behind the Democrat. The message was clear: Roosevelt meant repeal, and repeal meant Roosevelt.
People wanted both, and Roosevelt triumphed in the election. The Number of "wets" in Congress grew significantly. In the nine states, voters passed referenda repealing the state prohibition laws.
This is when the VCL stepped forward and took on the remarkable leadership and responsibility for which they were so uniquely equipped. It required no particular insight into the nature of democracy to know that when the weight of public opinion demanded repeal of Prohibition, Prohibition would be repealed
The VCL served the same purpose as various groups now who lobby for the repeal of prohibition of cannabis.
Oh, but let's just see what FDR himself had to say:
The number of states that have now legalized medical marijuana is analogous to the number of states that repealed alcohol prohibition.
FDR was inaugurated on March 4, 1933. On March 13 he called for the repeal of prohibition. He signed the Harrison-Cullen Act on March 23 - legalizing alcoholic beer and then noted, " I think this would be a good time for a beer."
He dealt with the banking crisis in his first week, CALLED FOR THE REPEAL OF PROHIBITION IN HIS SECOND WEEK, and went on to work out the New Deal with huge public support.
The repeal of prohibition came about on Dec. 5th - Congress did that, but FDR claimed full credit for the same. He popularity increased with the repeal of prohibition.
He started as a "dry" but moved to a "wet" in order to gain the nomination from the Democratic Party. Repeal of prohibition was an economic spur. Yet fewer people drank after the repeal of prohibition than before - prohibition increased the use of alcohol, increased crime, glutted the courts, cost millions in law enforcement.
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or has caved to pharma and the prison industry. I don't think he is that spaced out.
bbgrunt
Dec 2011
#42
Ron Paul is so principled he supports discrimination. Sorry you fell for his bullshit.
MjolnirTime
Dec 2011
#104
The only reason anyone would support Ron Paul is because they haven't done any research.
MjolnirTime
Dec 2011
#136
Obama has a crappy Med Marijuana policy for the same reason that he sold us out
truedelphi
Dec 2011
#87
Obama hasn't been "silent"--he has actively ramped up a crackdown on Medical Marijuana.
Romulox
Dec 2011
#16
No. I didn't. Obama is in charge of the DEA, DOJ; He's a committed Drug Warrior.
Romulox
Dec 2011
#20
That's cool. ONE DAY you'll solve the mystery of who appointed Eric Holder, Michele Leonhart!`
Romulox
Dec 2011
#25
Why is remaining silent on an issue where speaking out would be political suicide mysterious?
Donald Ian Rankin
Dec 2011
#26
It would not surprise me - legalising cannabis would make a Republican look moderate.
Donald Ian Rankin
Dec 2011
#46
yet almost half of the population of the U.S. lives in places with legal medical marijuana
RainDog
Dec 2011
#68
It's not a far left position, it's a position that would make a politician be viewed as far left.
Donald Ian Rankin
Dec 2011
#89
I think politicians are probably accurately gauging electoral/media response.
Donald Ian Rankin
Dec 2011
#132
The issue may have changed just a bit - Gary Johnson is going to run for prez as a libertarian
RainDog
Dec 2011
#133
You're essentially asking, "Why do the right thing, if someone might criticize me?" They're called
Romulox
Dec 2011
#34
Those are the thinnest slices of hair I've ever seen! Bottom line, you defend the status quo. nt
Romulox
Dec 2011
#58
Only if the person you're talking to wants to "win" rather than to communicate. N.T.
Donald Ian Rankin
Dec 2011
#91
Anecdotally speaking, I have not seen 'the youth' united in demanding marijuana legalization.
randome
Dec 2011
#27
You don't have to smoke cannabis, you can use a vaporizer or ingest it combined with food.
Uncle Joe
Dec 2011
#76
The problem is that would still be prohibtion leaving all the dynamics in place
Uncle Joe
Dec 2011
#78
*You* support the Drug War. Why try to put *your* views in the mouth of "the Youth"? nt
Romulox
Dec 2011
#41
Right. You just *really, really* understand where the Drug Warriors are coming from. nt
Romulox
Dec 2011
#82
No. You don't. Because that's not a "paradox", it's just inconsistency on your part. Not the same.
Romulox
Dec 2011
#84
Obama never ran on legalizing Reefer. And he wouldn't be reelected if he did.
MjolnirTime
Dec 2011
#44
pardon me. slight exaggeration. majorities across ALL political id's except for Republicans
RainDog
Dec 2011
#126
He did make specific and detailed statements regarding policy that he needs to uphold
Bluenorthwest
Dec 2011
#55
The issue is not whether he supported it after it was approved by the party but why he didn't lead
grantcart
Dec 2011
#139
The clinics were being investigated for violating federal regulations regarding medical marijuana
treestar
Dec 2011
#135
I don't see a big downside for Obama in supporting marijuana legalization
aint_no_life_nowhere
Dec 2011
#70
people are losing their jobs because of the LEGAL medical marijuana trade in states here
RainDog
Dec 2011
#75
Does anyone believe that it would be easier than HCR or extending unemployment?
loyalsister
Dec 2011
#101
Getting out of the drug war game would greatly decrease the reach of the police state
TheKentuckian
Dec 2011
#88
I don't think there is any puzzling silence.. it's pretty clear that Obama supports the WOD.
lib2DaBone
Dec 2011
#92
I can't believe the number of people who cite politics as justification for Obama's silence....
mike_c
Dec 2011
#93
Not that puzzling - he ran as a liberal, and is governing as a far-right conservative
Doctor_J
Dec 2011
#103
Ya think there just might be a few hundred more pressing issues for him to deal with these days?
RBInMaine
Dec 2011
#106
But the Pen Stoke needs solid main stream justification so people can get over their fear
freedomnow
Dec 2011
#113
It is odd. It'd be low-hanging fruit to save taxpayer dollars, stimulate the economy, etc.
DirkGently
Dec 2011
#114
A question for all of you who feel Obama is silent on this for political purposes or electability
FlaGatorJD
Dec 2011
#116
It's a moral issue, and shameful that Obama has not had the courage of his convictions.
Kurovski
Dec 2011
#130