The Power of Organized Crime in America - Page 2

The stories of prohibition bathtub gin and the trafficking of illicit alcohol in Chicago and the war between the big named organized crime bosses and the Chicago police are perhaps the most colorful urban stories that only added to our long love affair with the underworld.  To this day, we are fascinated with Elliot Ness, Pretty Boy Floyd and Al Capone all of whom were very real combatants in the war between law enforcement and organized crime during prohibition.

The mystery around how pervasive organized crime has been in politics, entertainment and more conspicuous areas of 20th century crime continues to fascinate us.  There is no question that the Mafia and other organized crime figures have had their fingers in such huge cultural events like the rise of casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.  Frank Sinatra was said to have extensive ties to the mob.  Even such big national turning points such as the assignation of President Kennedy have been rumored to have ties to organized crime.

The one thing we know is that despite the many dedicated efforts of law enforcement and political figures to stop it, organized crime seems to be here to stay.  It will adapt, "morph" and evolve so it can evade being stopped.  But in some way, it seem certain that we will have mob stories to tell for many decades too come.  And as much as we despise the influence crime families have had on our culture, we sure do love our movies, books and television shows about organized crime figures.  And we probably always will.