Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
Iraq not the only failed U.S. War policy NPR research shows "holes found in U.S. claims of a drug-war win" illustrating the reason Congressman Ron Paul (R/TX)is right about ending the Drug-War.by Big Louie
(libertarian)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
This article, from NPR, casts doubts about the Federal Government's claim that "U.S. cities are experiencing "an unprecedented cocaine shortage" due to increased law enforcement in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Fact-checking by NPR reveals that while there are indeed spot shortages of cocaine, they are neither nationwide nor unprecedented. And the scarcity may have unintended consequences."
First, we must understand what data is gathered by the DEA and Drug Czar to support this claim.
As shown in the NPR report, the idea of "drug shortage" is based mostly upon the street value of the drugs. However, when NPR called local drug task forces nationwide, they didn't find the same level of shortages as claimed by the Feds, but confirmed a higher street price.
I think that they, NPR and the Government, missed the REAL underlying reasons for the increase in the street price of drugs.
1. The Dollar's Steep decline in value. The suppliers, who live in foriegn countries, use Dollars as their main source of exchange. When they exchange them for their local currencies/goods, they find that the U.S. Dollar does not purchase as much. So, logic would assume that the price of the product must increase at the production/supply level.
2 . 10% inflation in the U.S. economy. The local drug dealers will need to make more money per unit of sales to buy a similar amount of Fancy Cars, Bling and whatever else drug dealers buy. Also, risk/value asumptions must also take into acount the cost of inflation. Further increasing the street price.
3. Increase in demand. Everyone can agree that even if there is an increase in the supply of a good, there will be an increase in price if the pace of demand outstrips the pace of supply.
Since the U.S. consumer feels like things are going badly and they have no chance of getting ahead or are actually falling behind, they resort to increased use in both alcohol and drugs. This means that as the economy falters, more people will drink more booze and take more drugs to help them cope with their troubles. Thereby, increasing demand.
So where does this leave us? With another failed policy that affects the whole country, whether you partake in these vices or not. Billions of dollars are wasted on this failed policy which has had years to succeed, but keeps falling farther behind. Also, Innocent citizens who use medicinal marijuana for dozens of medical reasons are sent to jail or worse. In fact, as a recent Supreme Court ruling shows, some drugs laws are aimed at specific racial groups.
So, how do we end the problem? My first reaction is to say "Elect Ron Paul",but before I can make that statement, we need to examine the way we attack the issue of illegal drugs, instead of finding the underlying issues that cause the problems in the first place.
As I mentioned earlier, economic hardships are a large contributor to alcohol and drug use. So, common sense says that a better economy would logically lower the amount of drugs consumed.
Instead of declaring a War against drugs which costs the American Taxpayer billions of dollars in cash and incarcerations, we should utilize the money for education and treatment. Not only that, the Federal Govt. could tax drugs the same way it taxes cigarettes and alcohol. Now, instead of a HUGE net loss, we would actually have a net increase in federal monies.
Many of the "pro drug-war" crowd decry legalizing drugs because it will make it more readily available to children. This is a ridiculous statement. It is much easier for a 15 year old to buy drugs than it is for them to buy alcohol or cigarettes because the latter is regulated by the individual states.
For those of you who live in caves and never venture out, you could probably find a drug dealer on any downtown, big city, street corner (sometimes you might have to drive to a "bad" neighborhood). Every college campus in America is awash in illegal drugs and if you cold find the "right" friends, your supply would never run dry. Every High Schooler, and many Junior High students, knows who is partaking and know where to buy it themselves if wanted.
By allowing the states to regulate drug sales, it would lower the possibility of obscene profits from the illegal sales and limit access to minors. Think about it in beer terms. It is legal for a 16 y/o to purchase the ingredients to make and sell beer, but he doesn't because of the inability to make a large profit vs cost of production and risks of arrest, It doesn't make much economic sense for them to do it. Selling pot is a much better racket.. Both are illegal for the 16 y/o to do, but the risk/value for drugs sales profits are much better.
By the way, my friends and I made many gallons of beer when we were 16-17 y/o, to mixed results. However, it wasn't for sale as we had to quench our own demand.
The next non sequitur is from our government policy on illegal drugs. (if you don't know the structure of a non sequitur, read THIS)
1. Stopping profits from the illegal drug trade will help stop the funding of terrorist activities, therefore, the war on illegal drugs helps stop terrorism
2. The war on drugs helps stop terrorism
Therefore
3. stopping the profits/cash flow for the terrorist.
That is a ridiculous fallacy. While #2 might be correct because we have "boots on the ground" in foreign countries from where drug trafficking and terroristic activities originate, we cannot believe that decreasing supply 5% would stop gloabl terrorism funding. In fact, in any level of shortage, it is the SUPPLIER who gains the most profit increases. We could look at the Oil Industry today. Supposed supply shortages have given the suppliers RECORD profits. It is exactly the same in the drug trade.
If we were serious about stopping this money going to the terrorist, we would legalize drugs.
Another argument opposing the legalization of these drugs is that they pose a significant health risk. This, as opposed to, Cigarettes, Alcohol and the dozens of "legal" drugs advertised on TV. Have you ever listened to the disclaimers and warnings?
One last thing to ponder about the Drug-war. It is obvious that it increases the profitability of the suppliers, but who else benefits? Obviously the Federal Government, by being able to enlarge the bureaucracy and move the NWO Police State forward. It also makes me wonder about the connection to the manipulation of the illegal drug markets/price by a government who has profited from the sales of illegal Drugs (Google: Iran -Contra affair)
There are several organizations who have very informative articles about this issue which can't be wholly covered in one article
This leads back to my earlier statement "Elect Ron Paul".
As President, Dr. Paul would end this farce. He recognizes that the war on drugs is going to be no more successful than Alcohol Prohibition was during the last century. It only harms the average citizens while creating a source of wealth for criminals. It also infringes on our personal liberties and the right to make decisions for ourselves. This is just another issue (of many) that is helping to cause the ultimate decline of our Republic.
Dr. Paul also advocates solutions that would strengthen our economy and offer HOPE to all of us. As I mentioned earlier, Hope is the real answer to this problem, not more government Police State activities.
For more information about Congressman Ron Paul (R. TX)
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Big louie is sooo right! I loved this article it was very informative,and very truthful. when will the government wake up to the failure that is the so called "Drug war" and realize what big louie is talking about? It would be great if Ron Paul were elected,..I know he would make a differance,and thats what Big government is afraid of.
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