Posted on 03/30/2009 6:49:14 PM PDT by rabscuttle385
We have recently heard many shocking stories of brutal killings and ruthless violence related to drug cartels warring with Mexican and US officials. It is approaching the fever pitch of a full blown crisis. Unfortunately, the administration is not likely to waste this opportunity to further expand government. Hopefully, we can take a deep breath and look at history for the optimal way to deal with this dangerous situation, which is not unprecedented.
Alcohol prohibition in the 1920’s brought similar violence, gangs, lawlessness, corruption and brutality. The reason for the violence was not that making and selling alcohol was inherently dangerous. The violence came about because of the creation of a brutal black market which also drove profits through the roof. These profits enabled criminals like Al Capone to become incredibly wealthy, and militantly defensive of that wealth. Al Capone saw the repeal of Prohibition as a great threat, and indeed smuggling operations and gangland violence fell apart after repeal. Today, picking up a bottle of wine for dinner is a relatively benign transaction, and beer trucks travel openly and peacefully along their distribution routes.
Similarly today, the best way to fight violent drug cartels would be to pull the rug out from under their profits by bringing these transactions out into the sunlight. People who, unwisely, buy drugs would hardly opt for the back alley criminal dealer as a source, if a coffeehouse-style dispensary was an option. Moreover, a law-abiding dispensary is likely to check ID’s and refuse sale to minors, as bars and ABC stores tend to do very diligently. Think of all the time and resources law enforcement could save if they could instead focus on violent crimes, instead of this impossible nanny-state mandate of saving people from themselves!
If these reasons don’t convince the drug warriors, I would urge them to go back to the Constitution and consider where there is any authority to prohibit private personal choices like this. All of our freedoms – the freedom of religion and assembly, the freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, the right to be free from unnecessary government searches and seizures – stem from the precept that you own yourself and are responsible for your own choices. Prohibition laws negate self-ownership and are an absolute affront to the principles of freedom. I disagree vehemently with the recreational use of drugs, but at the same time, if people are only free to make good decisions, they are not truly free. In any case, states should decide for themselves how to handle these issues and the federal government should respect their choices.
My great concern is that instead of dealing deliberatively with the actual problems, Congress will be pressed again to act quickly without much thought or debate. I can’t think of a single problem we haven’t made worse that way. The panic generated by the looming crisis in Mexico should not be redirected into curtailing more rights, especially our second amendment rights, as seems to be in the works. Certainly, more gun laws in response to this violence will only serve to disarm lawful citizens. This is something to watch out for and stand up against. We have escalated the drug war enough to see it only escalates the violence and profits associated with drugs. It is time to try freedom instead.
One suspects that the current White House is not exactly a drug-free zone; one wonders how many residents and employees are also crack users, forget about marijuana, I imagine that’s available on speed-dial.
I’d love to ask Ron where the meth should come from to be sold in the “coffee-house dispensaries”.
You are kidding right? I can’t answer for Ron, but I’m thinking for those who like that sort of high, they could get it in a pure pill form like they did before the govt declared war on amphetimines. No such meth labs existed before the govt declared it’s war on amphetimines.
If there were a cease fire, who would want to smoke or snort such a toxic lethal concoction? Especially if they were able to acquire the same level of euphoria from a simple pure pill like they were able to do before the war?
Prohibition was doomed to fail from the start. They take a substance that had been legal and widely used legally since the dawn of time and try a "Prohibition" but don't prohibit its use.OMG I just got what you were saying. Are you serious? Do you really think that Prohibition failed because it didn't go far enough?
Right now, I would like to see firearms, hamburgers, tobacco, alcohol, gasoline and whatever vehicle I would like to drive legalized.
“Do you really think the government just decided one day “hmmm, how about we declare WAR on amphetamines!” and then crystal meth use went up?”
Ah yea, that’s exactly what happened. You do know before the govt declared war on amphetimines, they were available over the counter at the corner drug store? You know this right? I’m asking this because right now, I’m thinking you might be one of those blissful kinda folk, you know the type, the one’s with a big drooling mouth and a pea-sized brain?
Speaking of blissful states, do you think the ignorant poor, both the rural and urban folk, who comprise the majority of folk who do this toxic waste of a compound, that the majority of them, actually know what the ingredients are? If so, how do you know?
-m-
Burn down with the cops I guess.
Although alone by the river is nice too...
Anyone thinking that drug use is down in this country is living in a cave. Really, you need to get out more. The demand by us for recreational drugs is astounding, and getting worse. If it weren’t there wouldn’t be billions being made in the trade. Time for the govt to realize we’re wasting money in this effort. Corrupt govt’s overseas will see that our need for these items continues regardless.
If folks are ruining their lives with that "stuff" anyway, then why go to the time, trouble and expense in trying to keep it away from them? Obviously....it's not working...... and just encourages the criminal element to participate....and profit.
I would rather see all the drug warriors, attorneys, judges and sundry law enforcement officers that feed off the illicit drug trade (and you, the taxpayer) go to work at Burger King. I'm tired of paying for their 30 days vacation, their 100% medical and full retirement after 20 years.
At least, then...... these poor, stupid jerks that use this "stuff" could turn their $100.00 a day habit into a $2.00 a day habit and wouldn't have to break and enter your house for goodies to sell.....to support their stupid habit!
No, I don't use drugs....never have....never will.
I would love to see the country test your theory.
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