[realpatriot71]

I don't think anyone is in favor of "self-destruction," at least I'm not. I think the crux of the issue is: should we allow people vices and immoral behavior as long as they hurt no one else? In my mind, as long as a person does not harm me, you, or anyone else, that is, these people do not iniate any force against that which is naturally ours, why should we consider them criminals for not bothering anyone in the first place?

I'm serious about a dialouge here. Where, in your mind, is the flaw in my reasoning here?

[headsonpikes]

Your posts are thoughtful and penetrating. Good luck finding a civil debater from the contrary side.

[Kevin Curry]

I don't think anyone is in favor of "self-destruction," at least I'm not.

Words are cheap. You are in favor of whatever consquences flow from the positions you take, advocate, and champion. Powerfully so. Undeniably so. Your words to the contrary are mere air wheezing into the ether.

Legalizing or decriminalizing illicit drugs will not cause the external costs associated with those drugs to disappear. They will merely be repackaged and forced down the taxpayers' throat in another form. We will pay to coddle drug abusers instead of punishing them.

That's reality. Your pro-dope mental constructs are not reality.