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Milton Friedman on the "War on Drugs" (In a Letter to Bill Bennett)
NRO ^ | 11/16/06 | Andrew Stuttaford

Posted on 11/16/2006 1:21:07 PM PST by zarf

You are not mistaken in believing that drugs are a scourge that is devastating our society. You are not mistaken in believing that drugs are tearing asunder our social fabric, ruining the lives of many young people, and imposing heavy costs on some of the most disadvantaged among us.

You are not mistaken in believing that the majority of the public share your concerns. In short, you are not mistaken in the end you seek to achieve. Your mistake is failing to recognize that the very measures you favor are a major source of the evils you deplore. Of course the problem is demand, but it is not only demand, it is demand that must operate through repressed and illegal channels. Illegality creates obscene profits that finance the murderous tactics of the drug lords; illegality leads to the corruption of law enforcement officials; illegality monopolizes the efforts of honest law forces so that they are starved for resources to fight the simpler crimes of robbery, theft and assault.

Drugs are a tragedy for addicts. But criminalizing their use converts that tragedy into a disaster for society, for users and non-users alike. Our experience with the prohibition of drugs is a replay of our experience with the prohibition of alcoholic beverages.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: billbennett; miltonfriedman; warondrugs; wodlist
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For all of you praising Milton Friedman today; a stark reminder about the foolishness of the drug war and another reminder of Friedman's wisdom.
1 posted on 11/16/2006 1:21:09 PM PST by zarf
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To: zarf

-b-


2 posted on 11/16/2006 1:24:08 PM PST by rellimpank (-don't believe anything the MSM states about firearms or explosives--NRA Benefactor)
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To: zarf

>>Your mistake is failing to recognize that the very measures you favor are a major source of the evils you deplore.<<

The man is not in the ground yet - we can always fight later.

But we should, in general, be alert to make sure that, whatever the issue, we do not employ measures that cause more of the evils we deplore.


3 posted on 11/16/2006 1:24:10 PM PST by gondramB (It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.)
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To: zarf

The failed war on some drugs is a farce.


4 posted on 11/16/2006 1:24:34 PM PST by mysterio
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To: zarf
Well stated by Friedman, as usual.

I sure would like to see Bennett's reply (if he attempted one).

5 posted on 11/16/2006 1:24:41 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: zarf

Supply side or demand side, you are looking at only one side.

The US with its War on Drugs, is a Supply side assault on drugs.

But, the thing to keep in mind, is that we are not IGNORING the demand side. It is also being addressed. Just say no, attacked by the left, was such a plan. There are many ways to attack the demand side, but legalization is the wrong way to do that.


6 posted on 11/16/2006 1:24:52 PM PST by Paloma_55 (I may be a hateful bigot, but I still love you)
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To: zarf

I don't think he showed much wisdom on this subject.

It's true, the WOD is creating a criminal justice nightmare.

But a complete legalization of all drugs would create a public health nightmare.

I'll take the nightmare we have over the nightmare we'd get.

Friedman was a philosopher in an armchair, not a doctor in an emergency room. That colored his perspective.


7 posted on 11/16/2006 1:25:05 PM PST by samtheman (The Democrats are the DhimmiGods of the New Religion of PC)
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To: zarf

What is your position on this? Legalization?


8 posted on 11/16/2006 1:25:17 PM PST by happinesswithoutpeace (You are receiving this broadcast as a dream)
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To: mysterio

WOD bump


9 posted on 11/16/2006 1:25:20 PM PST by bassmaner (Hey commies: I am a white male, and I am guilty of NOTHING! Sell your 'white guilt' elsewhere.)
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To: samtheman

Did we have a complete public health nightmare prior to 1914?


10 posted on 11/16/2006 1:26:50 PM PST by bassmaner (Hey commies: I am a white male, and I am guilty of NOTHING! Sell your 'white guilt' elsewhere.)
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To: zarf

11 posted on 11/16/2006 1:27:40 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

lol


12 posted on 11/16/2006 1:28:09 PM PST by happinesswithoutpeace (You are receiving this broadcast as a dream)
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To: bassmaner
Did we have a complete public health nightmare prior to 1914?

Well, most people alive back then are dead today. That can't be good (ducking) . . .

13 posted on 11/16/2006 1:29:28 PM PST by Hemingway's Ghost (Spirit of '75)
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To: Hemingway's Ghost

lol!


14 posted on 11/16/2006 1:29:54 PM PST by bassmaner (Hey commies: I am a white male, and I am guilty of NOTHING! Sell your 'white guilt' elsewhere.)
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To: happinesswithoutpeace
I'd start with decriminalization across the board. Before hand there should be a shift of resources from interdiction to medical assistance for all who need it and a legislative
move in the individual states to find a consensus as to how and where particular drugs can be used.a la cigarettes.
15 posted on 11/16/2006 1:29:58 PM PST by zarf
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To: happinesswithoutpeace
What is your position on this? Legalization?

I think drugs should be completely legal. Of course, any criminal actions taken while under the influence of drugs should be punished. However, we can also reap significant tax revenue from the sale of drugs which can help to offset the ridiculous income taxes that we already pay. We would also save a ton of money by not having to pay for every failed social program that was created to address the drug problem.

Besides, for many drug addicts, this problem will eventually solve itself.

16 posted on 11/16/2006 1:30:15 PM PST by pnh102
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To: gondramB

If a fire is fought with fire [and the hangover is drunk down with more of the same stuff], then causing evil in fighting evil might be OK, or at least unavoidable. The more honest and logical approach would be seeking to minimize it.


17 posted on 11/16/2006 1:30:21 PM PST by GSlob
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To: zarf

"I'd start with decriminalization across the board"

Ok. does that mean that street dealers can sell to anyone?


18 posted on 11/16/2006 1:32:40 PM PST by happinesswithoutpeace (You are receiving this broadcast as a dream)
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To: mysterio
The failed war on some drugs is a farce.

Yes it is.

The problem began when people were given a pass because they were "addicted."

If you want to use drugs, drink alcohol, whatever, and then harm someone else, you're shouldn't be given a mulligan because of it.

No "treatment" programs, no SSI Disability checks, no nothing.

19 posted on 11/16/2006 1:34:29 PM PST by Madame Dufarge
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To: Madame Dufarge

But who will sell the drugs? I don't get it.


20 posted on 11/16/2006 1:35:33 PM PST by happinesswithoutpeace (You are receiving this broadcast as a dream)
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