1980 was the year that OG MADD Mother, Candace Lightner would stamp her spot into American History. As previously mentioned, she is a fighter and she was mad! She got after Governor Jerry daily until he launched a state commission on drunk driving. And she was on it. Lecturing and lobbying across the country, she became a leading activist on this issue.
From there it was on to President Ronald Reagan himself. Now the Pres was already very upset with drugs in America. In fact, he had another mad mother on his hands, his wife Nancy. She said, “Just Say No to drugs.” By then, most everyone had seen the U.S. Government movie, brilliantly produced – Reefer Madness. It was 1984 and he appointed Candy to the National Commission on Drunk Driving.
Then it came time for a whole lot of quid pro quo. They came up with a plan to spread enhanced DUI laws all across the land. Then all of the king’s horses and all the king’s makers headed out. They would not be stopped because after all – they were the king’s makers (the king being the Fed) and they would be doing a lot of back scratching. The plan was simple: all states would pass laws for extensive, criminally enhanced DUI laws or they would be denied a whole bunch of highway funds. Money talks and all the states knuckled under nice and obediantlike.
And they were off and running. The DUI juggernaut was very effective, busting citizens left and right in every state! They were manufacturing brand new criminals throughout the land. Keeping those jails and cousin Jed’s tow trucks busy late at night. And busier courts in the mornings. And that is the short version. Along with that, the MADD organization was also growing by leaps and bounds. They had big name sponsors coming onboard at breakneck speed. And the money flowed.
Then a funny thing happened – Candy got fed up and quit! What? She was gone by 1985. Turns out there was a whole lot of folks dipping their hands into the cookie jar or something like that. Yep, that’s what money will do. Its something like acquiring a whole lot of perks and making copious use of them. Most folks like to let the good times roll – cuz it’s fun. The group would go on to acquire nearly 400 chapters around the world with some 2 million members within the first three years. Yesiree – the party was on!
