There is no evidence that sleepy neighborhoods like the Old Village were cesspools of drug addicts during the years that corner drugstores sold narcotics. On the other hand, there is an abundance of evidence that the Government wastes billions of borrowed dollars each year on the War on Drugs. (Remember: the Government stopped spending current taxpayer dollars several trillions ago.)
The most recent example of the criminal improvidence that is the War on Drugs is the years-long, multi-million dollar, multi-agency, international investigation of a relatively small-time online narcotics business. The Government's colossal "Operation Adam Bomb" yielded an incredible sixty-six page indictment that led to the arrests of eight suspects who are charged with the "heinous" crime of selling a quantity of narcotics that pales in comparison (.pdf) to what was sold legally without incident at neighborhood drugstores.
Interesting observation Seth. TWOD was a joke 40 years ago and has ballooned over the decades like any good government program. The only purpose it serves is to give bureaucrats jobs. The founding fathers would be appalled.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Harvard Economist Jeffrey Miron, ending the drug war would improve the Government's balance sheet to the tune of $90 billion annually. ($100 billion if adjusted for REALISTIC inflation.) http://www.cato.org/publications/white-paper/budgetary-impact-ending-drug-prohibition
DeleteThis is, of course, completely independent the steep human cost, both here and abroad. "The War" is directly responsible for the interminable violence in Mexico.
Are you actually saying we should stop seeking out illegal drug use and convicting them? Wake up! Yes there is a tremendous amount of fat in the system and it could without question be ran in a better fashion but that will take some focused leaders to help overhaul the system. Maybe you should stop complaining and get out and help.
ReplyDeleteWho is the "them" to whom you are referring with that unattached pronoun in your first sentence? Terminally ill cancer patients who consume medical marijuana? We should "seek them out and convict them"? Interesting that you used the word "convict". Do the terminally ill cancer patients at least get a trial after they are arrested?
ReplyDeleteNo, I have no dire to "help" anyone prosecute a terminally ill person. Nor do I wish to help promote violence in Mexico (and the U.S.) or waste billions of borrowed dollars annually.
@ Apr 21, 2012 11:15 AM: Wow, I've never seen anyone defend the War on Drugs on a rational website. Judging by your grammar, are we to assume you do PR for the DEA?
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