Was America better off with drunk, uneducated congressmen?

[MadImmortalMan]

We still have drunk uneducated Congressmen.

[dps]

Is there any actual evidence that members of Congress as a whole drink less now than they did in the 1950s?

Everybody drinks less in America than they did in the 50s, don't see why Congress would necessarily be an exception.  IIRC, the 1830s were the peak for US booze consumption, averaging out to 5-6 drinks a day per man, woman, and child, and it's been downhill ever since, with a couple of small upturns (German breweries at the end of the 19th C. and then the 1970s).

I was under the impression that alcohol consumption among Americans as a whole had risen since the 1950s, not declined, but I can't seem to find any figures on it one way or another.  Where did you get your info?

[Capetan Mihali]

I was under the impression that alcohol consumption among Americans as a whole had risen since the 1950s, not declined, but I can't seem to find any figures on it one way or another.  Where did you get your info?

A documentary called something like "Alcohol in America" that I downloaded circa 2004... I've since deleted it, but I keep the factoids upstairs.    I remember them saying that the average per capita consumption in the 1830s was about 5 drinks a day.

I think you may be right to the extent that alcohol consumption increased a fair amount in the 60s and 70s and then leveled off...with spirits taking a huge hit since the 80s and wine increasing in turn.

[Capetan Mihali]

Also, I remember that the idea that Prohibition increased consumption is a myth.  It was moderately effective at reducing total alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related ailments dropped significantly. 

[Razgovory]

Also, I remember that the idea that Prohibition increased consumption is a myth.  It was moderately effective at reducing total alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related ailments dropped significantly.

I believe you are correct.  Alcohol consumption dropped quite a bit after the Volstead act.  In the the 1920's it steadily rose but never surpassed the pre-prohibition level until prohibition was rescinded.

[Capetan Mihali]

Another booze-related factoid I recall is that underage drinkers account for about a quarter of total US alcohol sales.

[Admiral Yi]

Another booze-related factoid I recall is that underage drinkers account for about a quarter of total US alcohol sales.

I could see a quarter by volume but a quarter by cost would be harder.

[Scipio]

Why does the world insist on treating David Frum semi-seriously when he wrings his hands about the very problems he personally created?  Is it because he's a Canadian?

[Capetan Mihali]

Another booze-related factoid I recall is that underage drinkers account for about a quarter of total US alcohol sales.

I could see a quarter by volume but a quarter by cost would be harder.

Yeah, it may have been units.  The price of a single glass of Joan Robinson's finest could probably get you into 18-pack territory for Natural Ice.

[PDH]

Why does the world insist on treating David Frum semi-seriously when he wrings his hands about the very problems he personally created?  Is it because he's a Canadian?

Stay with the topic.