A large enough minority of people in this country were not taught from birth that they would go to hell for drinking. Alcohol prohibition failed here because people voted with their dollars. Naturally enforcement had to take into account that it was impractical trying to imprison a large portion of the population (we're trying that now) so it was selectively enforced. The rich and powerful always had well stocked liquor cabinets while the small timer making a few quarts in a basement still could expect a raid and prison. It was a joke but not terribly funny.