[flintsilver7]

I am an individual with the natural, God-given right to live my life any way I choose, so long as my conduct doesn't involve the initiation of force against others.

Well, this statement was certainly not well thought-out. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of offenses that are non-violent but have a direct negative impact on either society as a whole or an individual.

[ChrisInAR]

Well, this statement was certainly not well thought-out. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of offenses that are non-violent but have a direct negative impact on either society as a whole or an individual.

Well, your statement was certainly not well thought-out, either. Please remember that we have a FEDERAL government, not a national one -- & the Constitution leaves the crime-fighting iowers to the states. The only area that I know of where Congress has been given exclusive authority to decide these issues is in the District of Columbia.

The crimes that the federal government have been given the authority to punish have been written in clear language (treason, bribery, piracy on the high seas, etc., etc.) & NO others. The STATES have retained their rights to firght their own versions of the Drug War as strongly or as leniently as they so desire, provided that cruel & unusual punishment is not used.

[Eagle Eye]

Should vices be criminalized?

Making a vice illegal or taxing it excessively only invites abuse and the criminal element, ie, government corruption.

[TNdandelion]

I agree. One of my good friends was raised by a couple regular pot smokers. She was never physically abused and she always had a roof over her head and clothes to wear. But the problem she had with her parents' habit is the fact that they just "didn't care." They were not motivated by anything and they really couldn't be bothered to care what she did.

Amazingly enough, she had a good head on her shoulders and finished high school. She put herself through college and and now her parents accuse her of thinking she's too good for them. rofl

[Hank Kerchief]

“Well, this statement was certainly not well thought-out. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of offenses that are non-violent but have a direct negative impact on either society as a whole or an individual.”

Name one that does not involve government force. The individual’s life is his own, not societies, and certainly not yours.

Hank