@EnglishPaul
Greetings!
I've always liked the Brits. I'm a diehard Anglophile.I even publish a Sherlock Holmes zine.
Regarding the Hurricane Katrina situation--I should have mentioned about the authorities holding guns on people who weren't doing anything (that includes senior citizens!!). That was outrageous!!!
Heavy drinking is a big habit among a large segment of the U.S. population.
Increasing the price like they have done with tobaccco just might work. However, it will probably make so many people angry they might just have some serious reactions. Alcohol is one of the only comforts of the poor and this country is on the fast track for having more poor than middle class.