[Lucky Dog]

…the "productive members of society" argument you use to counter drug use is also unpragmatic in extreme and has been demonstrated as such in history.

The “argument” you cited was not intended to be “pragmatic.” Rather, it was a statement of guiding philosophy.

A society can surreptitiously turn the proverbial “blind eye” to some things that are questionable as far as those things may not be appropriate to furthering the long term health of that society. Such a benign neglect may be harmful in the long run, but still allows a society to reinstate sanctions at a later date if the activity’s detrimental consequences become more pronounced. However, “turning the blind” toward a practice or behavior is a far cry from encouraging that behavior. Legalization of a previously illicit activity is “encouraging” that activity.

Additionally, the basic premise of core values is a topic that must be addressed if a society is to survive and prosper. A society without core values has no reason to resist the takeover, either forceful or peaceful, of a competing society. Furthermore, without core values, collapse will occur in a society even without external competition. Therefore, the Libertarian Party must develop realistic core values or cede any hope of achieving political power.

[rhombus]

History has shown that making something illegal that was once legal can result in many unintended consequences. History has also shown that making something that once was legal, legal again does not necessarily mean something is being encouraged. To conclude otherwise is to give too much damn weight to one man's opinion and that is not a very good start upon which to build a body of core values. Libertarians are not alone in hypocrisy when it comes to living up to grandiose sounding guiding philosophies regarding the definition of "productive members of society".