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alphageek31337 · 03-13-2001, 10:04 PM

I'm sensing a pervasive theme here, and one I can agree with. The war on drugs is going the way of prohibition in the 1920s. We simply couldn't stop alcohol then, despite our best intentions, and we created a criminal market that led to murders, increase in jail population, and a general feeling of well-being. That same thing is happening now; the American drug laws are creating crime rather than stopping it. Drugs are illegal, which means there is a very lucrative market for those who are willing to dip into them (I know a low-level guy, operating out of a trenchcoat, who pulls in $1k a week, easy). With such a black market, comes fierce competition (ie rival drug dealers killing each other), and an intense effort by addicts to get the money they need for the drugs, but whatever means necessary. I advocate personal responsibility when it comes to such matters. Drug laws should be repealed so that safe, gvmt.-regulated (make a note of this, this'll probably be the only time I advocate government regulation in public) drugs are available on the free market. I think that the average Joe (assuming the average Joe to be over 21 years old and of relatively good health) is responsible enough to decide himself whether he wants to use a drug, or any type of drug. People fear that responsibility, because if someone acts irresponsibly, they can do damage. So people have a habit of looking for a Big Brother to watch over them closely, take away that responsibility, and make things easy. Such is the case with drug laws.

What we must advocate is responsibility and education. With these two things, there would be no need for such laws. Give people the chance to do something, the ability to screw up, and the knowledge that there will be consequences if they screw up, and you'll end up with better people.

Which brings me to another rant on that lack of consequences in american society, but I must rest for the eve (if I rant more than twice a day, my blood pressure goes up so high that I squirt blood from my nose).

I'll leave you with that, and prepare my next tirade

Steve

03-13-2001, 10:04 PM	#34
alphageek31337 Enemy Combatant/Evildoer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 263	The War On Americans I'm sensing a pervasive theme here, and one I can agree with. The war on drugs is going the way of prohibition in the 1920s. We simply couldn't stop alcohol then, despite our best intentions, and we created a criminal market that led to murders, increase in jail population, and a general feeling of well-being. That same thing is happening now; the American drug laws are creating crime rather than stopping it. Drugs are illegal, which means there is a very lucrative market for those who are willing to dip into them (I know a low-level guy, operating out of a trenchcoat, who pulls in $1k a week, easy). With such a black market, comes fierce competition (ie rival drug dealers killing each other), and an intense effort by addicts to get the money they need for the drugs, but whatever means necessary. I advocate personal responsibility when it comes to such matters. Drug laws should be repealed so that safe, gvmt.-regulated (make a note of this, this'll probably be the only time I advocate government regulation in public) drugs are available on the free market. I think that the average Joe (assuming the average Joe to be over 21 years old and of relatively good health) is responsible enough to decide himself whether he wants to use a drug, or any type of drug. People fear that responsibility, because if someone acts irresponsibly, they can do damage. So people have a habit of looking for a Big Brother to watch over them closely, take away that responsibility, and make things easy. Such is the case with drug laws. What we must advocate is responsibility and education. With these two things, there would be no need for such laws. Give people the chance to do something, the ability to screw up, and the knowledge that there will be consequences if they screw up, and you'll end up with better people. Which brings me to another rant on that lack of consequences in american society, but I must rest for the eve (if I rant more than twice a day, my blood pressure goes up so high that I squirt blood from my nose). I'll leave you with that, and prepare my next tirade Steve __________________ The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. ---Friedrich Nietzsche