Addicted to the Drug War

Ludwig von Mises Institute ^ | December 28, 2001 | Ilana Mercer

[jwalsh07]

How is the U.S. likely to function in a world where our major allies have abandoned the Drug War model?

Just like always, we'll do capitalism the best we can and they will slide deeper and deeper into socialism. If you think that Europe is a model for America to follow then you indeed have smoked too much weed.

[tpaine]

Prohibitions on private non-criminal activities

Selling and shooting a short barreled shotgun IS a crime. There are laws against. When they arrest you for it, the law provides for a number of due process safeguards. You get a lawyer. You get a jury. If convicted, you get three hots and a cot.

Yep, But it's still an unconstitutional law, isn't it roscoe?

Dead wrong. - #151 - roscoe

Does this mean you support the federal tax act which effectively prohibits possession of a short barreled shotgun?

[Roscoe]

Which Amendment guarantees the right to smoke and slam dope?

[A CA Guy]

I know what right from wrong is. Go drug up your family and self for a year or so and report back on your conditon and if your family even exists. Good luck!

Best to fear illegal drugs and avoid it. We don't need to grow addicts.

[tpaine]

You advocate gun control. Admit it.

[Wolfie]

Ah ha... touche. But how do we justify doing business with nations that don't have our particular infatuation with the integrity of its citizens precious bodily fluids. Shouldn't we, in the interest of not sending our children the WRONG message, abandon all diplomatic and economic ties?

[Roscoe]

Liberals and Libertarians think dope is like guns.

[Wolfie]

"Just" identified myself as a drug user? You haven't been paying attention. I've never denied the fact that, from time to time, I enjoy smoking marijuana. In fact, I'm the most dangerous drug user of all: free, white, and successfull. I only hope the Republic can stand it.

[tpaine]

You arguments are flattened by your own duplicity, here:

"Can you refute his [JR's] words?"

No, and I would not even try to, since I agree with them. Libertarians are not all druggies - #111 -

[Virginia-American]

Some people can see for themselves how it has utterly failed, just as all the government "wars" on abstract concepts (poverty, etc.) have failed, and oppose it on that basis.

The Temperance people promised that eliminating alcohol would close down the jails. Anslinger wanted to stop [minority men] from making eyes at white women. I forget what LBJ promised, does anyone really care anymore? The bureaucrats got their jobs, what else matters at appropriation time?

AS I said on the previous incarnation of this thread, when we re-legalize there will be fewer lies in society: less lying propaganda, fewer occasions for cops to lie, fewer reasons for (ab)users to lie. IMO this alone is worth a lot more druggies. I'm not saying that lying and corruption will disappear, but I am sure they will decrease. Not to mention the decrease in Gov't employment and the taxes to fund it. IMO that is also worth a lot of (ab)users.

ON a more political front, I hear a lot on these threads about libertarians really being liberals, not a bit like conservatives. A thought experiment: Imagine that the D*m*cr*t party includes re-legalization in its platform and admits it was wrong to have rammed the MJ Tax Act thru. Does anyone really think this would be good for the GOP electorally? Whatever our differing views on releglization, keeping the g-d-mn socialists out of power is way more important. Right now, it's the LP, a few GOP-ers, and (I think) the Greens pushing for repeal. (If any D*ms are, please tell me who) Do any of the drug warriors really want the Jackass Party to get behind repeal? I know it's a fantasy right now, but if they get desparate enough they could try anything, especially now that we can redeploy the narcs to airport security and wouldn't have to fire them.

[MadameAxe]

And, every good idea oughta be a law. And there oughta be a law against every bad idea too.

Right?

[Roscoe]

Do any of the drug warriors really want the Jackass Party to get behind repeal?

They might get some Libertarians, but they would lose the soccer Moms in droves. Go for it.

[tpaine]

They are both types of property, nonviolent possession of which is protected by the constitution.

You don't agree, but are unable to admit your opposition to our free republics principles.

[Virginia-American]

They might get some Libertarians, but they would lose the soccer Moms in droves. Go for it.

Well, I hope you're right if it happens, but my guess is they'd have a electoral lock for a long time. They have no conscience about lying, so I would expect to see it framed emotionally as another "we'll protect you from the mean judgmental religious Republicans" or "more money for hospitals than jails" issue, and harp on the "unfairness" and "racism" of the whole prohibition scene.

The Klan party turned on a dime when it was clear they couldn't keep [minorities] in their place by traditional methods any longer; I wouldn't put ending the WOsD beyond them.

[jwalsh07]

Shouldn't we, in the interest of not sending our children the WRONG message, abandon all diplomatic and economic ties?

Definitely, in fact we should launch.

[A CA Guy]

Illegal drugs, rape, murder and other abominations shouls stop for most humans at the ability to tell the difference between right and wrong.

If you put your whole family on illegal drugs I could only imagine the mess you would have in short order in your family.

If you don't use you can't lose.

[A CA Guy]

shouls = should

[Cultural Jihad]

Whatever our differing views on releglization, keeping the g-d-mn socialists out of power is way more important. Right now, it's the LP, a few GOP-ers, and (I think) the Greens pushing for repeal.

Pssst. The Greens ARE socialists. We'll see how quickly the libertarians embrace socialism when and if the Greens pick up speed in their zeal to repeal laws against societal- and self-destruction. Moral-liberal birds of a feather flock together.

[SlightOfTongue]

Good stuff, NCFBTN. Intense and accurate,IMO.

Your handle kinda reminds me of a few Monty Python names from the movie "The Holy Grail" one of which I may use for my next screenname,(if necessary) - KnightsWhoUpUntilRecentlyWereCalledNi and SirNotAppearingInThisPicture

[MadameAxe]

Rape, murder and doubtless "other abominations" all have a common feature -- they violate the rights of an innocent other. Drugs have no such aspect. They are inanimate objects.