Ron Paul: End the War on Drugs
by Ron Paul | Texas Straight Talk
March 30, 2009
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.
Amen, let's do that.
Besides, drugs isn't a country, just kidding. It is rather unfortunate that about 50% of the people sitting in jail for drug offenses are doing so for pot/ marijuana possession, nothing more than a plant, although it can't pass for potpourri, b/c that's an assortment of plants, but of course can be included in it. I have poinsettias at my church every Christmas, & lilies every Easter. There is nothing, nothing in Art. 1, Sect. 8 of our US Constitution that says Congress can regulate drugs, legal or illegal. Please remember if you have a prescription for so much as acne medicine, you have had to pay a real premium for a Dr. to sign a slip of paper saying you can have it, when the licensing of the Dr. to begin w/ is that act of converting an otherwise legal act into an illegal 1, since if the MD wrote you the script w/out a license, they'd be illegal. It's the same act, just legal w/ a license, nothing's changed except you've paid the state for permission to work & they've granted you a piece of paper showing their approval. Let's not forget about hemp which isn't illegal, yet can't be grown in this country, weird, possessing it in your kitchen isn't illegal, but having it in your garden is. Location, location location.
God, then you're put into prison where, even though you've served your time, you still have a criminal record & then you'll have to work delivering newspapers or something b/c you'll have a criminal record & the list goes on, not to mention the profit the state or a private company makes from your labor while you're in jail not to mention the income your family goes w/out while you're in jail, not to mention your income leaves society & it costs $27,000/ yr for you to be in jail. Need I continue? Why has jail become the universal place for crimes, why can't people simply make restitution, such as I'm sorry I stole your car, I'll pay for your next 5 car repairs, or why for every crime is jail the place, from stealing a sweater to civil disobedience to angel dust possession to banging the pots & pans at 4 in the morning & refusing to stop, hmmm??
And for God sakes, if you ever commit a crime, don't talk to the police, that's what the 5th is for, remain silent b/c if you think they'll be easy, think again, they exist to convict you. The police exist to find crime, they're legally allowed to lie to you to get a confession.
For some reason, we're expected to know every law that exists in America & in our state so we don't break it. We're supposed to know this when we're 18. There's no litmus test for them, as in the 10 commandments or rhyme or reason. C.U.R.E.
The thrill is gone.
Hippocrates said "The poison is in the doseage".
On the street or in the alley were a homeless may be using "crack" . . . . .
imagine if crack was inexpensive. No money in it.
Some addict may be in the hospital within a few days.
Over dose, maybe even die.
No robbery, when collecting cans could get you some crack.
And for the Mexican head rolling, there are no secrets, no reason for heads to roll.
End the war on drugs treating the action as a bankruptcy. Let the pieces and the prices fall where they may.
Of course, be respectful and prosecute any criminality that occurs.
I feel freedom means to be responsible for yourself, and that means your health as well. The price of freedom may be death for a drug abuser.
Eating cheese burgers and fries and no fresh produce will cause serious disease or even death, for a food abuser.
Both are "costly" to society.
Decriminalization and no tax applied would make these drugs relatively cheap. But with little profit, there is no industry. Abusers would find their way out as they are scared straight.
Have you ever experienced a "hang over" from drinking? (painful and dibilitating).
The thrill is gone.
And that the people embracing freedom is a fantastic prize
I believe ending the war on drugs is vastly and profoundly important.
And the use of canabis/hemp should have been encouraged and developed 40 years ago.
And never forget, “Humans, despite our artistic pretensions, our sophistication and many accomplishments, owe the fact of our existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains.”
Well written and
it all makes sense. The most nominated point in argue against American politics in my circle of friends and family is that government always acts to quickly without much thoughts without any clue what could happen next.
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ronpauled since Sept.07
This is a well written
This is a well written article by Ron Paul. There's a lot of things to consider about legalizing drugs and what drugs should be more heavily monitored then others, but at least he's talking about it.
9/11 was BLOWBACK, not an inside job.
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The right to choose
I wish that those in Washington had the ability to use common sense to solve a problem. Legalize drugs, eliminate drug cartels, receive tax revenue (because anything that can be taxed will be taxed), and cut DEA jobs from the budget. However, I doubt that it will ever happen even if the majority of the public support it. I live in Illinois (unfortunately) and in this state smoking cigarettes indoors at any business or workplace was recently outlawed. The only exceptions are private dwellings (homes or apartments, nursing homes, hotel rooms). You can't even smoke in a bar. I knew that government was going too far a couple of years ago when they passed this law. Even though I wasn't a smoker, I found that this restriction against choice is just wrong. Any business owner at any time could have chosen to make their business a non-smoking environment if he or she wanted to. They CHOSE not to do that. So the government took away their right to choose. I fear that this trend will continue until they have enraged a large enough number of people to finally force government to change.
Same in my state.The voters
Same in my state.The voters chose to ban smoking in privately owned businesses.
Yet another situation that could of been handled by education and the choice of the business owner to accommodate both parties or ban it.
What do we have now is if enough support is made to get it on a ballot,than the majority can vote to take your house,ahh democracy!!
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"I love the Union and the Constitution, but I would rather leave the Union with the Constitution than remain in the Union without it." - Jefferson Davis
"A government of reason is better than one of force." --Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 1820
Suppose my throat is
Suppose my throat is irritated by cigarette smoke, and you choose to smoke within an enclosed establishment that I happen to be in (like inside a greyhound bus) because u r free. How can we resolve this apparent dilema--and I definitely can't take inhaling your smoke.
Well, did you know that the
Well, did you know that the Greyhound bus would allow smoking? If you did and you decided to use their service than they are violating none of your rights since you voluntarily stepped aboard that bus. So if you knew there was going to be smoke and it irritates you, but decided that Greyhound was the best choice than it is up to you to make it comfortable for yourself (respirator?) If there is a rule stating no smoking than the opposite is true and the smoker is at fault and Greyhound doesn't enforce this rule than they lose a customer.
Geez, if we could at least
Geez, if we could at least get back to the 70's style of drug policy then it would be immensely better. Though complete decriminalization would be the best, so many people have been brainwashed about the issue. I fear we must suffer a complete breakdown of the system before people can even fathom freedom of choice- and yes, freedom to fail (or overdose). Unfortunately, we live in a system which has increasingly embraced the idea that there cannot be any casualties; and that erroneously believes that casualties may be legislated away. This paradox leads us to very scary policies.
But...
I seriously doubt the CIA wants competition in distributing drugs.
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Nor do the police wish to loose then "open pass" into your car,
home and life in general. Lots of big bicks to be made stealing posessions from the public using draconian drug laws that allow it...and running drugs for CIA black missions.
Look how nice this bull-shit works for them in Colombia and now soon to be "forced" onto the Mexican government as well. Hey Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and S. Calif...prepare for wild times in the neighborhood !!!
Do you guys know that most all presidents of Central & South American governments have called for legalization of ALL drugs as a way of ending the violance and narco-mafia funding.
What does Obama have to say......................The world is waiting !!!!!!!!!
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Never happen
Because it just makes too much sense.
As well, thousands of DEA, and other, personnel would no longer have jobs. The war against drugs is a multi-billion, multi-national operation. If the U.S. decided to change its policy, a lot of agents would be unemployed. And what would the other nations do?
No, the dumbells in Congress and the administration will keep drugs illegal until the end of time.
Too bad, man.
Thats right
Too many jobs depend on the war on drugs. Its a make work project for fascist pea brains.
It's just
the right thing to do. All we are doing now with the so-called war on drugs is making thugs rich, putting honest citizens in jail and spending a whole bunch of money on a policy that does not work. Like so many other policies of our broken govt. Why people who have no knowledge of marijuana are so vehemently opposed to legalizing it just so hard to imagine. Freedom of choice. Just like a motorcycle helmet. It may not seem safe to you, and it may not be, but if you don't ride a motorcycle, why in God's name do you really care?
well put!
too bad people are stupid, just like the government
I'm glad he said something
This is another HUGE issue that needs a leader... ditto what rawfoodliberty said.
Have a good posting day!
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It's absolutely the best way
to pull the rug from under gangs.
"It's just one big club... and WE ain't in it!"
"Tyrants fear nothing more than insubordination"
"It's just one big club... and WE ain't in it!"
dugg for some common sense
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Pastor Paul Says . . .
Its time to legalize.
Thoughtful debate has caused me to change positions.
I still personally think it is the stupidest thing a person can choose to do but there are alot of stupid people out there.
No offence pot heads. Its your life, live it as you wish. SMOKABOCA!
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End the War on Drugs
"I still personally think it is the stupidest thing a person can choose to do but there are alot of stupid people out there."
"No offence pot heads."
no need to apologize, I'm sure Micheal Phelps does not care what you think.
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“A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement” - Thomas Jefferson
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with.” Ron Paul
dugg #86
It is time to try freedom!!!!!
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“A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement” - Thomas Jefferson
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with.” Ron Paul
Medically it is unfathomable
Why deny sick people an herb that they say helps them? Whoever the idot was that said "You don't smoke medicine" needs to tell that to people who use nicotine for whatever it is they use nicotine for. People self medicate, leave them alone!
Truth exists, and it deserves to be cherished.
Smoked Medicine
Marijuana does not have to be smoked, it can be tinctured/extracted like any other herb. It doesn't work well as tea because THC is oil and alcohol soluable and not so much in water. Smoking is simply the cheapest way of using it as well as custom. It doesn't have to be smoked to be medicine.
So the act of smoking is a problem for people?
Seems too "primitive"??
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Common sense won't work
While I do believe de-criminalization of marijuana is possible due to public acceptance, a total de-criminalization of all drugs seems unlikely. People are convinced there's a "public cost" to these drugs. They believe if all drugs were legal there'd be crackheads on every corner trying to sell drugs to children. They believe this "public cost" entitles them to outlaw drugs "for the good of society." Common sense arguments regarding the unworkability of prohibition won't work on these folks. They'll just say "you can't give up on our children, you monster!" They need to be convinced personal freedom issues are worth abiding by even when you disagree with the personal behavior of others. Um, so that means it's unlikely to ever be widely accepted enough to pass the "democracy" test. This isn't my position, I support decriminalization, but I'm just trying to keep it real.
This is why the drug issue
This is why the drug issue is way down on my totem pole of important issues.
Ventura 2012
But the Socialist Zionists are WRONG....
Prohibition laws just encourage everybody to go out and get stoned on massive drugs, look at Mike Savage from the "GOP" as further evidence.
Children have rights over their own bodies! We don't need no ridiculous prohibition laws locking everyone up. Senator Webb's legislation is going to address this.
The real problem is the out of control prison complex which profits off all these non-violent offenders.
State counseling is cheaper, less intrusive, non-interventionist and keeps the Federal Government out of the state's business. State run treatment centers worked in the beginning.
Why in the heck wouldn't they work now? Hold a referendum!
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Bravo
Basic common sense points to one adult conclusion.
Enough of the childishness of the past. It causes much death, destruction and lawlessness.
Let's pass a more sane and responsible society onto our children.
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Maybe...
Just maybe it will happen...I can only hope. I have really never had a "hero" in my life until last year. When I saw my 1st Ron Paul sign nailed to a telephone pole I looked him up. When I heard his view on the issues that concerned me I realized that I had found my hero. Not only was he right on the money I agreed with him on everything. I think this man has the right answers & people are starting to listen.
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