[rogue yam]

Very true and it was the government drug war that made them into what they are. Much like prohibition led to the rise of violent booze gangs.

Yours is the stupidest argument known to man. These vicious, drug dealing scumbags are not vicious scumbags because the public (not the "government") has chosen to make certain drugs illegal. Rather they are vicious scumbags because they themselves have chosen to be such. And why? For the money. If all drugs were legal, would these same individuals simply choose to have no money? Of course not. They want money just like you want money and I want money. They would simply find some other way to apply their inate selfishness and thuggishness to the task of getting themselves the cash they seek. They are scum and it's no one's fault but their own. Wise up, dude!

[SmoothTalker]

Regulate and legalize pot and some of the softer drugs and you'd see a tremendous drop in drug related violence. Quit sending people to jail for minor possession of the rest of 'em and you'd see another tremendous drop.

[neverdem]

Yours is the stupidest argument known to man.

What's the reason for the gratuitous insult, if I may ask? It wasnt to me, but I posted the article.

These vicious, drug dealing scumbags are not vicious scumbags because the public (not the "government") has chosen to make certain drugs illegal.

All of the states have a republican form of government, i.e. their representatives make the laws, except in states where plebicites are also allowed for initiatives and referenda. Their representatives typically pander to an uninformed public, playing to their basest fears.

Rather they are vicious scumbags because they themselves have chosen to be such. And why? For the money.

The money is not there without a black market. Check with some physicians about what drug causes the most harm. It's alcohol. Hands down, unless it's used in moderation. That's an iffy proposition.