chapter 157 part 2
Roosevelt made no attempt to hide it.
"In fact, it's not just the party that doesn't believe in me; even the media doesn't think I can win the nomination this time. They call me a disruptor, believing my campaign will only bring more chaos and trouble to the Democratic Party. What these people fail to realize is, what trouble in America right now is bigger than The Great Depression?"
At this time, no one could have predicted Roosevelt's victory.
And for the people still mired in The Great Depression, they no longer hoped that any president could save them from it all.
They would choose Roosevelt not because they had high expectations for him, but purely because the previous president, Hoover, was just that terrible.
"The Great Depression."
Roosevelt's words plunged the three men into a brief silence. Even the movement of LaGuardia's knife cutting his steak seemed to become a bit heavier.
Although posterity generally credits Roosevelt as the president who led America out of The Great Depression, the truth is that The Great Depression lasted for nearly a decade. Even during Roosevelt's New Deal era, the unemployment rate never fell below 15%. If not for the outbreak of World War II, with the flames of war spreading from Europe, it's debatable whether America could have truly emerged from The Great Depression.
Of course, history only remembers the results. Therefore, Roosevelt helped America emerge from The Great Depression and became the best president in American history.
"Perhaps we should discuss something more practical, such as our views on the currently implemented Eighteenth Amendment..."
Sensing the silence in the restaurant, LaGuardia spoke up, guiding the conversation to the issue of Prohibition.
Since the three of them were here at the 21 Club, it was clear that none of them were strong supporters of Prohibition.
"The Eighteenth Amendment is a mistake!"
Roosevelt was a staunch advocate for repealing Prohibition, a fact that would be evident from his later presidential campaign platform.
In reality, the impact of Prohibition on American society far exceeded the original intentions of the law. Perhaps the initial goal of enacting the Prohibition act was to solve problems like alcoholism, domestic violence, crime, overcrowded prisons, a backlog of lawsuits, and poor public health.
However, during the thirteen years that Prohibition was in effect, the law not only failed to achieve this but also permanently changed the face of society at the time, and its influence has not disappeared to this day.
A massive amount of crime and corruption was born from Prohibition. Mafia families, such as those of Lucky Luciano and Capone, rose to prominence because of it. At the same time, Tammany Hall obtained vast sums of money by protecting bootleg liquor syndicates, then used that money to finance political campaigns. These bootlegging activities completely changed America's system of government, and corruption spread from there.
"Because of 'Jack,' thousands of victims have already suffered disabilities in their hands and feet, and for the vast majority of them, the paralysis is irreversible."
Colin spoke up at the right moment, expressing his own stance on Prohibition.
Jack, also known as Jamaican ginger. It was a relatively common patent medicine during The Great Depression. Because of its high alcohol content, it was often consumed by people trying to circumvent Prohibition. After it was discovered by prohibition agents, the U.S. Treasury Department ordered its formula to be changed to make it undrinkable. However, some unscrupulous and profit-driven shop owners mixed industrial plasticizers into 'Jack' to deceive government tests, then sold it to the public suffering under Prohibition.
The result was the emergence of a large number of victims.
Roosevelt was clearly particularly sensitive to the word "paralysis." Although his own disability was not due to 'Jack,' he could empathize with those victims.
"Perhaps, Mr. Roosevelt, you could make repealing Prohibition part of your campaign platform."
Of course, Colin's reason for using 'Jack' as an example was clearly for his own purposes. After evoking Roosevelt's empathy for the victims, he immediately made his proposal.
"I believe the vast majority of the public would support such a move."
Faced with Colin's suggestion, Roosevelt's expression showed a flicker of interest, but he did not immediately show it. On the contrary, his reaction was somewhat restrained.
Although Roosevelt was inwardly very impressed with Colin's proposal, a campaign policy was not so easily decided.
Once a wrong decision was made, what was lost would not just be personal gains and losses, but also a large number of potential supporters.
While the existence of Prohibition had certainly caused widespread public dissatisfaction, it also had many supporters.
This included a large number of women and Puritans who were staunch supporters of Prohibition. If Roosevelt decided to take a stand on the amendment, he would undoubtedly lose this portion of the vote.
Colin could see the hesitation in Roosevelt's eyes.
He wasn't surprised.
Every political choice was extremely important. A single misstep could lead to an irreversible situation.
For example, Hoover's various actions in Washington, including his recent order to suppress the veterans, had already sown the seeds for his subsequent electoral defeat.
Colin had originally thought it would take some time to persuade Roosevelt to decide on repealing Prohibition, or that he might not make a decision until after he secured the nomination.
However, opportunities always seem to appear when you least expect them.
His weakened Super Hearing picked up some commotion outside the restaurant.
Immediately after, a waiter dressed in livery appeared in the dining room, using a distinct Viennese-Long Island accent to reassure the dining guests.
"Everyone, no need to be alarmed. It's just a routine inspection by the prohibition agents."
As the waiter's voice fell, several grim-faced prohibition agents in trench coats entered the 21 Club.
Although agents from the federal government had previously returned from the 21 Club defeated, having found no evidence of any business related to bootleg liquor, it was clear that the prohibition agents had not given up their investigation. They were attempting to use a surprise raid to find any possible clues within the restaurant.
Under the watchful eyes of Colin and the others, the prohibition agents conducted a series of searches throughout the restaurant.
The result was no different. The area they investigated was the dining room on the first floor, which was open to the public. Naturally, no obvious evidence would be left there.
Therefore, after finishing their search, the prohibition agents shook their heads at each other and left the restaurant with sour expressions.
As the prohibition agents once again left in failure, the 21 Club suddenly erupted in a wave of cheers and applause.
"Perhaps you are right, Mr. Collin Roper."
Amidst the cheers and applause, Roosevelt, who had witnessed everything from his wheelchair, suddenly had a thought.
"Prohibition is indeed a terrible law. It should be repealed."
(end of chapter)