And did those measures of increasing public use of alcohol aid and enhance our society as a whole? No, it only created a much bigger problem that we are still dealing with today on an increasing level. It’s called Alcoholism and addictive behavior. The cost to the taxpayers has never really been fully revealed all in the name of revenue.
Legalized gambling, State Lottery’s, etc,,, are all taking a devastating toll on our society, let’s just have much more of IT! (Sort of like trying to tax/spend our way out this failing economy.)
Since you have put a societal price tag on alcohol consumption, I guess you are for regulating or outlawing cigarettes, Twinkies, donuts, and cream filled oatmeal cookies. Politicians and food freaks are putting a price tag on obesity.
I believe that Prohibition created a biger problem than the one you attribute to legal alcohol.
I have a long ago deceased uncle who became an alcoholic while living in a bone dry county. Prohibition did not stem the tide of alcohol consumption.