Posted by Fu Manchu on 03/30/09 12:11 PM   [Newer: MegaVote: MI 15th, 3/30/2009] [Older: U.N. releases plan using climate change as basis for massive redistribution of wealth, population, and productivity ]

End the War on Drugs

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.

Posted by Ron Paul (03-30-2009, 11:01 AM) filed under Civil Liberties

http://tinyurl.com/daqyvd

Posted 03/30/09 1:21 PM CTLovesNathanHale Atlanta, GA

I would like to point out one important thing that we must keep in mind about Al Capone -- Capone was a distributor of alcohol, and much of what he sold was domestically produced. If he got any imported liquor, he paid a direct or indirect tax to the supposedly legitimate bootleggers like Joe Kennedy. Capone would have lost quite a bit of his manufacturing and distribution network through legalization, but the real top dog bootleggers ensured they did not. We must guard against the same type of scum who control our politicians and "law enforcement" agencies and who currently profit from the cross border contraband transaction racket when this drug prohibition is lifted. They will attempt to ensure their profits continue through arcane legislation designed to give them cartel powers and shut out real competition, which will raise prices for the consumer. Research how the repeal of prohibition unfolded, and you will see the need to ensure that the modern day versions of these creeps are locked out of the business. (Insane Johnny McCain actually married into one of these liquor crime fortunes after dumping his handicapped wife overboard -- small world...)

Posted 03/30/09 1:44 PM Jstme Melbourne, FL

I was speaking with a small group of people over the weekend about this. At first they laughed and scoffed. I heard them out before I gently brought to their attention how we the taxpayers are paying for this war on drugs on the front end, back end and everywhere in between. Meanwhile, we're not only losing this war, illegal drugs are now more available than ever before. The only ones getting anything of benefit from this war are the criminals providing the drugs. Suffices to say, they ran out of arguments and moved onto how this new policy would be implemented. This discussion was very fruitful as they all contributed thoughtful and reasonable concepts.

Posted 03/30/09 1:53 PM CTLovesNathanHale Atlanta, GA

I would like to point out one important thing that we must keep in mind about Al Capone -- Capone was a distributor of alcohol, and much of what he sold was domestically produced. If he got any imported liquor, he paid a direct or indirect tax to the supposedly legitimate bootleggers like Joe Kennedy. Capone would have lost quite a bit of his manufacturing and distribution network through legalization, but the real top dog bootleggers ensured they did not. We must guard against the same type of scum who control our politicians and "law enforcement" agencies and who currently profit from the cross border contraband transaction racket when this drug prohibition is lifted. They will attempt to ensure their profits continue through arcane legislation designed to give them cartel powers and shut out real competition, which will raise prices for the consumer. Research how the repeal of prohibition unfolded, and you will see the need to ensure that the modern day versions of these creeps are locked out of the business. (Insane Johnny McCain actually married into one of these liquor crime fortunes after dumping his handicapped wife overboard -- small world...)

Posted 03/30/09 1:54 PM CTLovesNathanHale Atlanta, GA

(I apologize for the double post!)

Posted 03/30/09 3:01 PM C00kieM0nster Oxnard, CA

Yet another example of serving the people, and the Constitution dispassionately. Thanks Dr. Paul.

Posted 03/30/09 3:15 PM antiprohibition Saint George, UT

Who benefits from the War on Drugs? If you answered the CIA and Mossad and Federal Bank cartel you would be essentially correct. We don't need prohibition because government doesn't have to tell us what to do with our bodies, our bodies are our property. All prisons of non-violent offenders should be emptied. Lets legalize marijuana in the states, and then send the Ziocons and Globalists to those jails for liberty!!!!! Yes we shall <b>Audit</b> the Federal Reserve, the cancer goes up the neck. We will know by Audit and lien whether it can be saved.

Posted 03/30/09 3:16 PM antiprohibition Saint George, UT

Who benefits from the War on Drugs? If you answered the CIA and Mossad and Federal Bank cartel you would be essentially correct. We don't need prohibition because government doesn't have to tell us what to do with our bodies, our bodies are our property. All prisons of non-violent offenders should be emptied. Lets legalize marijuana in the states, and then send the Ziocons and Globalists to those jails for liberty!!!!! Yes we shall <b>Audit</b> the Federal Reserve, the cancer goes up the neck. We will know by Audit and lien whether it can be saved.

Posted 03/30/09 4:03 PM BillNM Carlsbad, NM

Good article and comments. All prohibitions do is create black markets, incite violence, raise taxes, and export wealth, among many other undesirable consequences. But, I come at this a little differently; I don't talk about legalization; rather I talk about the laws being unconstitutional and illegal themselves. Just to highlight the fact that the government is the enemy of liberty.

Posted 03/30/09 4:08 PM gride huntington beach, CA

print ~ cut ~ fold ~ distribute ~ repeat http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=14630

Posted 03/30/09 8:03 PM CTLovesNathanHale Atlanta, GA

antiprohibition, you have any actual evidence that Mossad is profiting from the drug war? You seem bent on twisting the subject in order to scapegoat Jews, but I'd like to hear your response...

Posted 03/31/09 12:34 AM celticreeler Rolla, MO

God bless and keep Dr. Paul. Another M.D. who feels pretty much the same as he does, including the part about the second amendment. Can anyone shed any light on the seizures of weapons going south across the border, which are said to be payment for drug contraband coming the opposite way? These weapons are being taken out of circulation, probably for good. Is this the real skinny?

Posted 03/31/09 03:39 AM TruthSaga San Jose, CA

Look at the black market it's created on liberty?