The Worst Alcohol Idea Ever

Reports out of New York related the refounding of the New York State Prohibition Party. As those of you who know a little about the history of the United States will understand, this newly recognized New York State Political party has as its primary goal the banning of production and consumption of alcohol in New York and the nation.

Can anyone explain this to me? I’m a relatively well-educated man with a decent amount of life and political experience who prides himself on being able to utilize reason and commonsense. But for the life of me I cannot figure out how the 12 members (that’s right, 12) of the New York Prohibition Party expect to be able to use a political party as the means to promote legal prohibition of the manufacture and use of alcohol.

I’m not completely unfamiliar with folly. Believe me when I tell you, I’ve tilted at my share of windmills. But am I to believe that 12 people gathered in a living room, contemplated and discussed the dangers of alcohol and concluded that the best thing they, as a group, could do to mitigate the danger of alcohol was found a political party? This must be true in one way or another. These folks must have gathered and determined that the founding of a political party was the best way to effect the change in New York alcohol habits. Knowing this was these folks’ conclusion, I have to conclude that I wouldn’t trust these people with a dull pair of scissors. They simply have no sense.

Alcohol Prohibition Is Not a Reasonable Goal

Consider that this new New York State political party must have limited resources. Yet, given their primary role as a political entity with an eye on placing people in office to effect change, they will be forced to expend resources on a political campaign. What a waste of money, time and human resources.

Wouldn’t a far better strategy be to found 501c3 charitable organization called ALCOHOL KILLS, then spend resources hiring people to stand on street corners in underwear holding signs that say, “Alcohol Kills! www.alcoholkills.com #alcoholkills”? Wouldn’t this be far less expensive, more effective, as well as garner them the attention for themselves they clearly want to garner?

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think this kind of boneheaded action is a reflection of the national prevention community. I think it is the reflection of a culture in which the obsessive need for attention is a paramount concern for many. There is no other explanation.

Alcohol will not be prohibited in New York or any other state, let alone nationally, in my or my son’s lifetime. This is perhaps the safest political prediction I can make save for Donald Trump will tweet something nonsensical in the next two days.

Always Husband Your Resources

In the end, as I bring this back to what I do, marketing and media relations in the wine industry, it reminds me that the primary question a business or organization must answer as they go about promoting and branding their product or service is this: Is my limited marketing budget efficiently allocated? Swinging for the fences is almost always a mistake and a waste of money. 

The new New York Prohibition Party isnt’ even swing for the fences. They are attempting to knock the ball out of the park with the power of their minds.

Can someone explain this to me?


4 Responses

  1. Casey Miles - October 25, 2018

    How does alcohol kill? I find this an interesting idea. Ethanol is non-toxic. Without a toxic element in Ethanol that might supplant a dopamine process in your brain, how does one get addicted to something that is not chemically addictive?

    My point: there is acetone in commercial alcohol. Acetone is a toxin. People can (and frequently do) get addicted to commercial alcohol due to it’s toxins. Craft alcohol removes all of these toxins, making it, in essence, as addictive as orange juice.

    Maybe they should get a small amount of alcohol education prior to making it a focal point of their movement?

  2. Bob Henry - October 26, 2018

    Tom, did April Fools’ Day come late this year?

    I can’t wait to see the “merch” behind the campaign: emblematic hats and T-shirts and hoodies and bumper stickers and label buttons.

    For political junkies, the “merch” should become as prized a collectible as “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline newspapers.

    Just sayin’ . . .

  3. Bob Henry - October 26, 2018

    (And apparently sayin’ it poorly. Correction: “. . . and lapel buttons.”)

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