Is Prohibition ever a good policy?

[angus]

I voted Yes.  I think it all depends on your goals, and the form of government you want to achieve, and I don't think it's generally a good idea for state legislatures in a a constitutional republic such as ours should be quick to prohibit the use of substances--and I'm not alone; I saw the results of a poll on CNN last night that said 85% of Americans polled think the government should stay out of the restaurant business and let adults eat whatever they want while only 15% supported the idea of trans-fat prohibitions--but I do think in some forms of government it may be advisable.  Basically, universally quantified propositions are really hard to support, so by including the adverb "ever" you'll have a tough time defending a No vote against any and all permutations (of governmental forms and of items to be prohibited) one could imagine.

But trans-unsaturated fatty acids, prostitution, marijuana, and those sorts of things, in the USA?  Probably it causes more harm than good to prohibit them by law, if only because it takes the onus of personal responsibility off the individual and awards it to the state.  Never a good idea for a functioning democratic form.  Unless you don't mind evolution toward a different form.