People on drugs like meth,crack,etc. oft times cannot control their behavior. They (in most cases) do not mean to claw themselves. They do mean to prostitute themselves. They do not mean to break into homes,etc. Rather, they are COMPELLED to do so by the intensity of these drugs. The stuff out there nowadays is not "60s reefer." Far more deadly to those who use it, and those around them.
In StCharles,MO yesterday a third suspect was bound over for trial for the drug-related murder of a disabled woman. The disabled woman's former roomate went to her apartment with two others to borrow money to buy crack. Instead they killed her and robbed her. Happens all the time. Again, did they "mean" to do it? Or were they compelled by the need these drugs force upon people?
Few Libertarians have been present during a "child removal" from Family Services. Few have seen kids screaming and clinging to their worthless, drug addicted parents. Even fewer Libertarians have ever been in the "Big House." Wasted lives. Wasted resources. Yet, for some addicts, the only place they can "function."
As for homelessness? You state the Libertarian position of "the consequnces are yours alone." Again, not reality. Churches, helping organizations (Sallys, Red Cross,etc) rose to meet the demands of the indigent, regardless of etiology of their plight. It simply is not reality (in America) to see mass numbers of people living in the woods or on the streets with inadequate food, medical care, etc. as happened during the Great Depression.
It is fine for Libertarians to say "they brought it on themselves, so screw 'em!" But that isn't and doubtful will ever be the way things are done. Not in America. People such as the above, when left in an unattended condition can breed diseases such as pneumonia,TB. Airborne illnesses know no boundaries. "Victimless?" Hardly.
My ideas are based on common sense. If there is no unwilling party which has sustained harm from another then there can be no crime.
"It is a maxim of the law that there can be no crime without a criminal intent; that is, without the intent to invade the person or property of another." - Lysander Spooner, Vices are not Crimes, 1875
You obviously have had little exposure to druggies and/or the criminal justice system.
Your assessment of my exposure really has no bearing on the discussion.
The [murdered] disabled woman's former roomate went to her apartment with two others to borrow money to buy crack. Instead they killed her and robbed her. Happens all the time. Again, did they "mean" to do it?
Well, I seriously doubt they killed her in self-defense. Wether it was murder or manslaughter is up to a jury to decide.
Few Libertarians have been present during a "child removal" from Family Services. Few have seen kids screaming and clinging to their worthless, drug addicted parents. Even fewer Libertarians have ever been in the "Big House." Wasted lives. Wasted resources. Yet, for some addicts, the only place they can "function."
Do you support alcohol prohibition? Some parents are alcoholics. Some parents are abusive and just all around bad parents even without drugs or alcohol. Some parents don't brush their childrens' teeth or change their diapers.
If by "Big House" you mean prison I don't believe drug addicts belong there. Neither do alcoholics or gluttons.
You state the Libertarian position of "the consequnces are yours alone." Again, not reality.
It is immoral for the state to coercively force the redistribution of wealth for "noble" causes. It is by individual choice that people decide to breed children that they cannot feed, clothe, house, and educate. It is by individual choice that people decide to intoxicate themselves or gamble their money away on lottery tickets. But, because some make irresponsible choices in life just not morally justify forcing others to lend assistance, financial or otherwise. Help rendered must be given voluntarily or it is theft.
It is fine for Libertarians to say "they brought it on themselves, so screw 'em!"
That isn't what Libertarians say.
But that isn't and doubtful will ever be the way things are done. Not in America.
This isn't an argument.