The Hill News

Television viewers are being treated to another fascinating documentary from filmmaker Ken Burns, which focuses on one of the worst public policy decisions of the last century: Prohibition. The series illustrates how the 18th amendment â€" in outlawing the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcohol beverages â€" led to serious, unintended negative consequences.
 
Under Prohibition, crime rates soared. Gangsters and thugs became celebrities.  It was the exact opposite result of what Prohibition backers intended.
 
Prohibition taught us about the negative consequences of an ill-thought out policy. And Burns’ documentary could not be better timed, as our lawmakers continue to consider policies that could have unintended consequences that harm jobs, consumers and the economy.

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