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.
Milk is legal. Does it make any sense for the government to produce it and hand it out for free?
I’ve driven in a car with someone who is high on many occasions.
Only a fool would believe that just because they're illegal now, it keeps the drugs out of their neighborhood. Drugs are in every facet of America's life....all the way to & up the VP’s daughters nose.
Our 8X Gold medalist was getting stoned just recently for crying out loud!!!
And by many I mean two or three times lol.
That makes a big difference for a tweeker.
How familiar you are with the expressions. Social worker?
So, I'll rephrase my question if that will make you happy...
I doubt you have any concern for my happiness in phrasing your question differently.
I’d love to ask Ron where the SMOKABLE meth should come from to be sold in the “coffee-house dispensaries”.
The same place that I mentioned before. All one has to do to make Desoxyn "SMOKABLE" is to obtain some acetone or denatured alcohol and follow the handy directions from the USDOJ site I linked above.
Keep in mind...The purity of the finished product varies depending on the amount of washing and the laboratory operator's level of experience.
It's really no big deal, is it? Granted, I would call it irresponsible, but it's a lot safer than driving after drinking is.
At least Paul had supporters to lease a blimp. Didn’t see a blimp for the other Republican candidates. Didn’t see anyone out in the streets making yard signs and donating money bombs for them either. BTW, those people attending the Tea Parties across America? You can thank Ron Paul for those too.
I live in Santa Barbara. Half my friends smoke weed (granted they started after we became friends). Sure I think it’s dumb and it’s certainly not a lifestyle I would choose, but it’s no worse than alcohol.
I completely agree. I don’t understand the appeal of being high or drunk for that matter. But then again I’m not a fan of theme parks, chick flicks, avocados, or witchcraft, but I absolutely support peoples’ right to do what they want (for the most part) as long as it doesn’t involve coercion, force, fraud, crime, etc.
My, my, look at all of those "legal" drugs!
Not a chance in hades.
An individual can hurt himself or herself with a gun. Does that mean the Government should ban guns?
It's funny how some Freepers endorse personal responsibility when it comes to the right to keep and bear arms but somehow don't think the individual is capable of personal responsibility when it comes to consumption of controlled substances.
Pot really doesn’t do much. At worst it makes you a lazy useless blob. Not saying that’s good, but the worst parts of alcoholism often lead to injury and death.
Most of my friends that smoke pot are totally normal. 2 are into some harder things, but they were headed that way anyway. They’ve backed off a little though recently. The rest all hold jobs and go to school.
You wouldn’t help him fight for capitalism?
Tobacco and alcohol's immediate effects are more universally pleasurable than the other, illegal drugs.
Several times more people have done the "gateway drug" (lol) marijuana than have gone on to try cocaine and heroin. I know far more people who have tried marijuana and not liked its effects than those who have tried alcohol and had the same reaction. Also, tobacco, while quite dangerous over the long haul, has the mildest effects, so it's not surprising more people use it. Coffee is legal, but it's not necessarily its legality alone that makes it popular.
The fact is, most people don't want to shoot smack, smoke crystal meth, or drop acid, and it's because they know it's not really a good idea. That won't change in any dramatic way through legalization, in my opinion.
I think those who confiscate property deemed 'ill-gained' from a drug bust and may use the proceeds to augment their budgets have an incentive to keep drugs illegal. And remember, politicians can be bought.
Finally, prisons are a major undertaking in both construction and the manpower needed to run them. Without drug violating prisoners, occupancy rates might not justify building so many and could lead to layoffs in personnel. And did I mention, politicians can be bought? Anyone who recognized the theme common in each case may move to the front of the class.
Very true. But hypocrisy seems to be one of the biggest themes among politics.
Not much different from North Metro Atlanta, from what I've seen.
But I live in "Podunk."
That's more of a rationalization of failure, than an argument for success, IMO.
Tobacco and alcohol consumption have never been illegal. Their "addiction" rates are extremely high in comparison. I see a connection. Do you?
No. Alcohol and tobacco have always been more popular with Americans than heroin and cocaine. That was true prior to the 20th century when they were all legal, and remains so today.
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