Freedoms being lost can be attributed to governments at all levels, but blame also lays at the feet of people inhabiting & visiting America. For to have freedoms requires that the citizens place limitations upon themselves. When they don't, a percentage of people will demand something be done, which is where governments come into play.
To just make an activity legal, in no way makes our freedoms greater. Indeed our freedom to move about freely in our own neighborhood may be impacted by increased criminal activity spawned to engage financially in said legal activity. I wonder how many people commit crimes to afford the outrageous prices of cigarettes, for example. It seems I have read of cases where clerks were shot in convenience stores, and items taken were cigarettes, and alcohol.
Hopefully you can offer up the solution that satisfies all, while not infringing upon the freedoms of any. Hint: it's impossible, at least I believe it to be. That is, without people themselves being their own policemen. However, I am always open to hearing from everyone.
“To just make an activity legal, in no way makes our freedoms greater.”
Any time you take away government power, you are more free. No exceptions. No you won’t eliminate crime caused by people seeking money to buy drugs, but those crimes are already occurring. Will they occur more often if drugs are legalized? Colorado would suggest not.
To paraphrase Ben Franklin: Those who would trade liberty for security deserve, and will get, neither.
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