I'm only linking to an Andrew Sullivan post again to point out that I agree wholeheartedly with him and the Cato study he links to which advances the following appeal:

Everybody should shut up and let me drink!

In Eastern Europe and Germany, I believe, they have (had?) a rather popular political party known as the Beer Lovers party. Now that is a bipartisan effort that can truly unite and bring people together under the biggest tent of all.