Tag Archives: War on Drugs

The war next door

After complaining about how ignored the drugs wars in Mexico have been in Big Media, I stupidly misssed a recent, pretty complete look at the issue in Rolling Stone. It even addresses the notion (really the only solution) of legalizing heroin/cocaine/marijuana. But regulated and taxed, as alcohol is now.

It would stop the war in Mexico, but, ironically, it would also hurt their economy by putting a lot of growers out of business. The Small Wars Journal is hosting a discussion on legalization. But we’ll have to wait for a pol with the guts to advocate it, let alone get it passed. Meanwhile, if the rest of Big Media wants to look more relevant than it does now, it should turn its attention to the war on our own borders–though, of course, it would involve actual work and real danger for the two phone call gang.

Ending the drug war

Since a continuation of the culture war (anti-gay marriage, etc.) has been cited as one reason the Reps lost the election, it would seem to be a perfect time to end the drug war, which has failed to do anything but strain government spending, raise the price to the consumer and destablize producing countries like Mexico, Columbia and Afghanistan.

Plus, if you’re going to nationalize health care, anyway, which Barry seems intent on doing, it would be a perfect time to offer "free" drug treatment to all who need it. But pols are such cowards, never doing anything that might cost them re-election. So we stumble along, with cops devoting too much energy to seizing marijuana and cocaine and, increasingly, needing automatic rifles to defend themselves against the foot soldiers of the drug cartels. Can Barry fix it? Yes, he can! If he only has the nerve.

UPDATE:  It’s not a unique idea, of course, but I knew that. On the other hand, it may be a bit much expecting a progressive to end drug prohibition, considering it began on FDR’s watch. Alcohol prohibition, the previous failed effort, was pushed through by "progressives," as well.