Speak Out: 21st Century Prohibitionists

Posted by swift on Sat, Apr 30, 2011, at 1:27 PM:

This year the Prohibition Party enjoys 142 years of existence. Prohibitionism as a political/religious ideology fighting alcohol is much older, having its origin in the reactionary Temperance Movement http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperance_....

In America, it began in 1789 when some 200 farmers in a Connecticut community formed a temperance association in reaction to the problem of alcohol. By 1826, there were Temperance associations in eight states. In 1826, the American Temperance Society was formed. The Prohibition Party was formed in 1869. Much history of the Temperance Movement can be had by reading "Strong Drink, the Curse and the Cure" by T.S. Arthur, 1877.

Today when the Prohibition Party is mentioned folks generally think of gangs, bootlegging, and the supposed failure of Prohibition. This is because the alcohol loving media has fed the American people a false image. Another problem is the ballot access limitation brought about by the two major parties in power.

Here in Missouri, there are two other political parties that are large enough to be on the ballot. They are the Constitution Party and the Libertarian Party. But, voters in Missouri may still call themselves Prohibitionists even though the Prohibition Party has not been on the ballot in Missouri since 1952.

The above being stated, the Prohibition Party is the political vehicle of the Modern Temperance Movement. Our Party has gone through several phases in its 142 years. http://www.prohibitionists.org/History/v... gives some insight into the several phases.

They are as follows:

1869-1920 Progressive/Populist: Francis Willard, founder of the WCTU (Women's Christian Temperance Union), wanted the Prohibition Party and the Populist Party (1891-1908) to merge. That didnot happen, but the Prohibition Party had many Progressive and Populist ideas in its platform during this time.

1920-1940 Repressive: As stated on the Prohibition Historical Society website,

http://www.prohibitionists.org/History/v...

"Increasingly repressive ballot access laws after 1920 made it difficult for third parties to campaign effectively. Storms says (p.39): 'The two [dominant] parties wanted to make sure that there would never again be an outpouring of humanitarian reform comparable to that of the Progressive Era. From then on, they could be in the comfortable position of joining hands in a conspiracy of silence on the issues that really mattered. The technique was to create ballot laws which were so stringent that a dissenting group would have to expend all of its resources obtaining a place on the ballot and [would] have nothing left with which to campaign.'"

1940-1976 Progressive/Conservative: Again from the above website, "Storms credits (p. 48) Babson and Moorman with changing the philosophical emphasis of the Prohibition Party from progressive to conservative, but the change was neither abrupt nor clear-cut. The party platform continued to include progressive planks, and still does, but the party leadership has chosen more and more to emphasize conservative planks."

1976-2004 Dodge/Conservative: (In the 1980's a reform movement within the Party called itself "Action Prohibitionists". Its spokesmen were Leroy Pletten, Don Webb, and James Hedges.) It has been said that if it hadn't been for the Action Prohibitionists, Dodge would've completely killed the Party. All one has to do is look at the election results during this period.

2004-present 21st Century Prohibition: 21st Century Prohibitionism is the current phase. I would like to call it a melting pot of the best ideas put forth by the previous phases (applied to 21st century societal problems and solutions) as well as a political philosophy based on the ideas of some of our great Prohibition members now. I'm talking about the ideas discussed and published by Leroy Pletten (http://medicolegal.tripod.com/preventaloholism.html); William Bledsoe; Billy Joe Parker; June Griffin; Toby Davis; Don Webb; and others.

The Prohibition Party already has a candidate for the 2012 election! Go to http://hedges4-12.com/ for information! James Hedges has been chosen for presidential candidate with chairman, Rev Toby Davis as his running mate.

If you read the past platforms http://www.prohibitionists.org/Backgroun...

http://www.prohibitionists.org/Backgroun...

of the Prohibition Party, you will notice that the Party is Populist/Egalitarian/Biblical in its approach to social/poitical/economic issues. Yet, there is also a conservative stand for traditional moral values.

The 2012 Quadrennial Prohibition National Convention http://www.prohibitionparty.org/Conventi...

is being held Monday, June 20 through Wednesday June 22 - Cullman, Alabama. There are a number of speakers, including Sarah Ward, President of the WCTU. http://www.wctu.org/

After we moved to Eldon Missouri in 1991, I joined the Prohibition Party. I later became the Missouri State Chairman. From 2003-2009, I served as vice-chairman. One thing sets the Prohibition Party apart from other parties. You may be a member of the Prohibition Party while being registered as a member or being supportive of another party.

"In states where people can't register to vote as "Prohibition Party," people can "join" as many parties as they want to, in the sense of joining a political club. Yes, they have to "join," but "joining" means nothing in regard to their voter registration." -James Hedges

"The PP is not your "traditional party" and so-called 'party membership' means only 'support' for the party - not actual membership in the party (unless in those states - like Florida - where party registration is allowed). Therefore, a person should not feel they are 'interfering' with a group they are not officially a 'member' of if they participate as a Delegate.

As I've tried to point out earlier, and some others still don't seem to get it, yes, only 'members' should serve on or be elected to the PNC and become involved in PNC business. (Just as only registered members in Florida should be allowed to serve on your state committee in Florida.) But the public, who likes what the PP stands for, should be encouraged to participate to the maximum - and not have this nonsense discouraging them by inferring that 'they have to forfeit membership (registered membership by party enrollment or implied membership) in the Democratic or Republican parties' before they can be a delegate to the Convention. Unless you present it this way to the public, the party will never grow. And unless you make this the official policy of what 'membership' means, likewise the party will never grow."- Don Webb

As James Hedges says,

Onward!

Richard D. Swift

505 Hickory Hills Dr

Dexter MO 63841

573-614-4869 home

573-625-9535 cell

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Replies (8)

  • I'll have a shot of Jack.....

    -- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Sat, Apr 30, 2011, at 7:53 PM
  • There are no 21st century abolitionists, just as there are no 21st century flat-earthers Oh, these people may exist, but they don't live in this century.

    -- Posted by FSM06 on Sun, May 1, 2011, at 3:04 AM
  • Ha! I meant prohibitionists, not abolitionists.

    -- Posted by FSM06 on Sun, May 1, 2011, at 3:06 AM
  • Jesus drank wine

    -- Posted by Smoke. on Sun, May 1, 2011, at 6:51 AM
  • What was FSM drinking before he posted?

    -- Posted by Robert* on Sun, May 1, 2011, at 11:48 AM
  • Hey Spank, Regret, et al, I'd recommend something a might bit stronger than beer.

    -- Posted by voyager on Sun, May 1, 2011, at 12:18 PM
  • Myself, I quit drinking about 20 years ago. But that is a personal decision I would not impose on anyone else! If I do not like your nasty habits and insist that you change, how do I argue with you when you want to change my habits?

    As long as you accept responsibility for your actions and pay the price I will withhold my judgements. I only ask that you allow me the same liberty.

    -- Posted by Robert* on Sun, May 1, 2011, at 1:30 PM
  • Smoke.,

    Not only did Jesus drink wine, but he also turned water into wine so that the folks at a big wedding party that had already drank all the wine could drink some more wine.

    -- Posted by Lumpy on Sun, May 1, 2011, at 1:51 PM

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