Legalize Drugs and Save the Economy!
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Stop the War on Drugs
Some estimate that we could save 45 Billion dollars a year simply by legalizing drugs. According to the War on Drugs Clock http://www.drugsense.org/wodclock.htm as of Friday May 8th, 2009 at 7:45 p.m. the Federal money spent on drugs this year is over $7,150,134,000, the State money spent on the War on Drugs is over $11,000,000,000 totaling just under $20,000,000,000, the year isn't even half over and we have spent nearly 20 million dollars on the war on drugs. All this and just about anyone, anywhere could walk out of their apartment, home, or car and score whatever kinds of drugs they want at any given time. Is this insanity or what?
What does it take for the American people to see that this "War On Drugs" is a major scam? This is especially upsetting considering our economic state in the world right now. And yet when Obama took questions regarding the possibility of legalizing marijuana he said that it was not something that he would even consider. Not only is this number obscene but when you add into the mix that over 1/3 of the people in prison are in prison for drug related crimes, that to keep someone in prison for a year costs roughly $30,000 per year, not to mention the personal toll on that person, their family and society in general, that we don't have a serious discussion regarding the legalization of all drugs is a national disgrace. This doesn't even take into consideration how much money we would gain from legally cultivating, selling, controlling and taxing the drug.
Now, I can hear you all say but if we legalize drugs everyone will be getting high, they will all be shooting up by the millions and society will deteriorate faster than you can say "pass the bong". That argument is ridiculous, first of all a hundred years ago all drugs WERE legal in this country, coke was sold in Coca Cola, Heroin was legal and could be easily obtained and Marijuana was also legal and yet hundred years ago you didn't have millions of people in prison, drug abuse by the young or street gangs running around shooting each other and everyone else in order to protect their drug selling turf. Moreover, we tried this little experiment with alcohol, it was called Prohibition, not only didn't it work, it also provided the stimulus needed for organized crime. Somehow we learned our lesson with alcohol but we have been so brainwashed to think that drugs are the great Satan that we think that if we make them illegal that will make them go away. We could not be farther away from the truth.
Another argument goes along the line of...if drugs are legal more people will use them. Again, I think that telling (especially young people) that something is illegal and therefore forbidden actually makes it more appealing. Some will say that crime will increase but I say that since we would be saving 1/3rd of our prison space we could actually increase the penalties should anyone actually commit a crime while under the influence in order to stave off any predicted up tick in the crime rate.
It makes me wonder just who is benefiting from this war? What is the saying...follow the money? According to the United Nations, drug trafficking is a $400 billion per year industry, equaling 8% of the world's trade. Arms manufacturers and the prison industry are also benefiting from the war on drugs. Regardless, of whom is benefiting, what do you think America? Is there anyone out there with a good argument against legalizing drugs?
Ron Paul debates Stephen Baldwin
Drug Freedom Works in Portugal
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Comments
Thank you, it's an opinion I've held for a very long time, to me it's just common sense, but that is sorely lacking these days.
I had a patient 19 years old, who use the drug, but denied it. He had myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries, which indicated it was related to drugs. How about traffic accidents? All is going to be costly if we open free market of drugs.
People are not going stop using drug because they are legal or even free. They like them because they feel good. I think there is better way.
Problem of country is we changed the way that God cannot enter schools. The same is with some churches. They do not let God in, because of religion and own opinions.
We are chasing selling drugs guys. Users should be prosecuted.
We have the same problem with monopoly. It is illegal, but government is closing eyes. If small business go under, it is not noticed. If huge "colos" goes under, all can feel it in pocket book.
We have to return to God. I am medical man and I never even tried to experiment with drugs. I do not need it.
Reasoning is not best way to go.
Good hub Brie. Thanks you brought it here.
Vladimir, thanks for writing...if someone commits a crime while on drugs we should prosecute them threefold, with the extra room and extra money we would be more than able to do that. Personally, I think that legalizing drugs will lower drug use..not raise it. Like I mentioned in the hub, it was perfectly legal 100 years ago and we did not have all the problems we have now.
Let me be clear, I am NOT advocating drug use, I just think that having them illegal is not working and costing us a fortune...why do something that doesn't work?
Dammit Brie ! Another solid hub with some good points . I am all for legalizing marijuana . I still am not sure about the harder drugs though . What I do know Is that the war on drugs failed a long time ago . And the revenue It would bring In would be great . It might also save alot more lives probably too . As an American who lives reasonably close to the border I can tell you It would save alot of lives too . Taking some of the power from these vicious cartels would be Ideal . I have not snapped a bong load In probably 25 years but If I was In medical pain , why not ?
There are also a lot of other uses for hemp that are illegal and it's utterly ridiculous. Regarding the separation of pot from "hard" drugs...the whole purpose of doing this would be to wrestle the control from the criminals and cartels and put it in the hands of the people. Personally, I think that drug use would go down. Now, having said that I personally have known of two people in my life that were serious addicts (you would never have known), they held down jobs and no one knew. It's not all like T.V. tells you. Not that I in anyway think that is a good thing.
I think about Oxycotton and its highly addictable properties. But its legal. The truth is pot and other drugs will never be made legal because the pharmaceutical companies are the worlds biggest and most powerful drug dealer. And don't forget about the beer companies. Who do you think pay for those anti drug commercials? With there combined weight, theres no way that they'll ever let pot get legalized, because that will cut into there profits. And i'm pretty sure they put a pretty penny in Obamas campaign contributions. Along with Senators and Governors. Except Swartznegger and Ron Paul. The only way drugs will be legalized is if the Christian Coalition dies tomorrow, and everyone in the nation protests to legalize them. I'm against heroine and meth, but pot should not be illegal. it's utterly ridiculous.
I'm pretty sure the "creator" wants our bodies to be clean, like "temples", it was written somewhere in a religious text, I think.. The government NEEDS to regulate this because we are incapable of resisting sin. Anything destructive to our relationship with our maker should definitely be outlawed.. You don't speak for the majority -and the majority is always right, right? I think your morals slip on some religious issues but not others. Are you playing favorites?
With all respect, 100 years ago was not crazy world as we have it now. Legalizing drug or not I am neutral. I do not need them. But I try to say we are trying by reasoning solve the problems which is not in our power.
Targeting of pharmaceutical companies is wrong. Everyone is trying to make money, do you? Targeting will produce that we will loose best chemists on the world. Then you will use leaches for treating people as Soviets did.
Liberals today trying to target and control entire financial and economic system. Only government can be rich and all rest poor and controllable.
You misunderstand my reason for legalizing drugs. I believe that by legalizing them you would be taking them out of the hands of criminals and cartels and would actually lower drug use and save a ton of money. Obviously, the current war on drugs is NOT working.
Oh definitely, you reasons for allowing sinful behavior is more important than the reasons that others offer on other issues.. Money is more important than salvation? The current war is not working because our society wants to control deviation instead of letting the individual handle thier own sins. We are moving toward letting our system control EVERY aspect but sin won't just go way.
All law involves control of sins Sonya.
Regarding other sins, that really is another subject altogether.
Actually, there are laws that keep people from spitting on the sidewalk. I'm pretty sure God won't care about that..
Nevertheless, whether there are laws that are frivolous, that doesn't negate the fact that laws regulate sin and that is their nature. If a law is unjust that is another matter.
Regarding the law of spitting on the sideway, I guess that would be considered minor unless you were the one getting spit upon!
How could a law be unjust in regard to controlling sin? Doesn't our creator need us to establish a system to do what he can't?
A law giving a woman the right to kill her unborn child is unjust. A law saying that Blacks are 2/3rd human is unjust. A law saying that Jews are not allowed to own property is unjust.
I could go on and on.
I agree that children should not be aborted BUT I don't need the government to tell me that. If someone else aborts, it's on their shoulders just like my own sins lay on mine. No matter how majorities treat minorities, treasures are in heaven. We are never going to get it right on Earth and the more hate we push around, the further we fall from God.
So should murder be legal then?
Does it matter if it is or not? Does restricting it keep people from killing?
I think it does. I think that people think twice before doing it and possibly spending their life in prison or ending up on death row. And also there should be justice for the victims.
Crimes of passion aren't premeditated. Also, what kind of justice can be given in exchange for a life? I wouldn't be content with anything but knowing I would see them again.
If someone murdered my son I would want them to forfiet their life.
Would that take your pain away? I would not find any relief in that.
I don't know, not having had to go through it, but I've heard that from others who have so I guess it helped them.
Brie - Thank you so much for this informative article. Finally, a voice of reason that is not ignorant to the truth. Americans have been so brainwashed by their government to believe all the hype, particularly about marijuana and the so called "war" on drugs, they don't even know truth anymore. This is why we must THINK FOR OURSELVES. Thank you, thank you, A million times thank you.
Thank you Moonchild60, I hope you sign up to be a fan so that you will get any future hubs I write, thanks again.
Sonya, don't forget that America has freedom of religion. You can't force your beliefs on someone else because you think "your god" is the right God. Saying that government needs to protect us from ourselves sinning, you need to look at the history of combining religion with politics. People deserve to choose for themselves if they want to sin or not. This country was built around Christianity, but it didn't say you had to believe in it. The reason why most people turn from religion is because people try to force there beliefs on others as you are suggesting our government do "for us". If you want that kind of country, I suggest you move to Italy where the pope is there leader and there god.
MattUSAF2525, I believe you totally missed my point in the sarcasm I was using.. I don't care if drugs are legal or not -I don't use them but if I do, that's on my shoulders. I have been corresponding with Brie over homosexuality and your comment supports my belief. Gay marriage should be legal because our government is supported by all citizens, including homosexuals. Basically it is hypocritical to conclude that drugs are ok and yet homosexuality is not. You can't pick and choose when it comes to morality (or Christian principles). Like I said, I don't care; ..I have my own sins to attend to.
Oh, and Matt, I couldn't have said it better...
Sonya, once again, my reasons for legalizing drugs is to lessen the use, not to increase the use. I don't think "drugs are ok", just the opposite
So, by your interesting logic, allowing Gay marriages will decrease homosexuality?
You know Sonya, not everything fits into a one size fits all Gay Marriage and Drug Trafficing are two separate issues, most people would understand that.
When you say "most people" are you referring to Christians or just taxpayers? It seems as if a Christian would understand that these are two separate issues, however, they are similar because they both deal with the choice of morality. Why let individuals have the right to decide when it comes to one but not the other? Both can be detrimental to the soul -by Christian principles.. I don't understand how you could separate these issues and choose one over the other.. Is it the lesser of two evils? Why would you support the government to condone one but deny the other? To save a buck? Is that the Christian thing to do? If you saved money by allowing Gay Marriage, would you be in favor of that too?
Legalizing Drugs does not mean that the government "condones" it. Just like I don't "condone" alcholism but I think that alcohol should be sold and controlled by the government rather than by gangsters. I personally don't care whether Gay people are in relationships but I don't think that the state should allow them to marry or allow them to raise children because I think it's a perverted relationship and not beneficial to children.
So legalizing Gay Marriage doesn't mean that the goverment "condones" it?
"I have no judgement for people who enter into "sinful" relationships but I just don't think that the government should sanction them." -Brie
Gay marriage is not being run by criminals, costing us money and lives because of the underground trafficing. You cannot treat it with theh same cure. It's two separate issues.
I'm confused because you seem to be contradicting yourself..
We are talking about two separate issues with two separate solutions. You cannot treat them the same because of that.
I think you are picking and choosing based on your own preferences, not the Bibles..
Let's put it this way, maybe you will be able to understand it...
IF legalizing Gay marriage would diminish gay relationships I would be all for it, unfortunately that "solution" would not bring about that conclusion.
So, HOW can you figure that legalizing drugs will do the same?
Alcohol and Cigarettes are legal and the industry is doing OK..
I really don't think you care whether drug usage changes.. I think you just want to save some money. I know the cost of living in big cities, such as Manhatten gets expensive..
Because you could use the money saved and the tax money for treatment, as it is now there is no treatment. I never said it will get rid of the industry...there will be drug addicts and alcoholics whether it is legal or not, BUT I think there will be less of them and there will be much much less crime because you would take it out of the criminals hands.
You're last statement is ridiculous and shows your bias and lack of intellectual argument since you have to personally attack me, when you don't know me from Adam.
"Some estimate that we could save 45 Billion dollars a year simply by legalizing drugs." -I'm not attacking you. I think it's funny how money becomes the focus when allowing an immoral act to transgress. Don't become angry at me because you have become transparent in your hypocracy.. Just trying to reason on more money = an allowable sin.. I figured maybe you needed the money..
You have no idea my situation and besides that...it has nothing to do with my opinions and it's ludicrous that it would. Do you think that I would get any of that money, if drugs were legal?! I think wasting 45 billion dollars on supposedly stopping drug use when it does NOTHING to stop it, is immoral, especially when that money could go for so many other things that are needed in this country.
Interesting title,"Legalize Drugs and Save the Economy"-Brie
Money = "it has nothing to do with my opinions and it's ludicrous that it would."-Brie
I was talking about me personally. I guess you are in favor of spending 45 billion a year for a drug war that doesn't work!
I don't use drugs and the government will get my money, one way or another..
I'll leave you alone.
I support change in government, just in many areas that work toward equality for all, not just Christians because we all are here together and God told us to get along. In the long run, a person can destroy their body as they choose, legally or illegally, morally or immorally; the drug war proves that and in the end, it's in our own hands. I say, live and let live because we are all failing in some way.
Wow! Sonja was just looking to pick a fight. She said government should regulate drugs but killers can walk the streets and kill the first person they don't like the looks of.
I have always, even before i had ever taken a single hit of weed, thought that it was retarded that marijuana is illegal and alcohol is legal. Everyone knows you can't drive as well drunk as you can sober. But i saw on tv sometime last year that they ran a test on sober driving and a man driving high. He actually did better high. I don't think it should be legal to drive high but if i had to drive next to a drunk or a pothead i'll take the pothead.
The main thing i'll never understand is i know alot of people who have been abused by alchoholic parents and some of those parents have cleaned up and you would just never think they would do that to their children. But they were drunk. I've never heard of anyone sitting at home high after they have finished they're days work and got violent. Alchohol makes people not care about consequences.
I think they keep it illegal so that they can control a major portion of the population, among other reasons.
legalize drugs, and prostitution (offering a bit of affection to a lonely stranger is less immoral than being a banker).
Here is Spain we have made marijuana legal and few people get prosecuted for so-called drug crimes. Unfortunately a lot of people come here from other countries and remain high becuase of this. Many are Americans, but a lot come from other members of the E.U. Holland (Netherlands) has a similar problem. But to many of us drugs are little different from alcohol. if you can't control it, there are places to go and get help. Unlike the U.S. we help drug abusers get clean without the stigma of prison and criminality. it's not a perfect system but at least it's a start.
Loved the hub!
Thanks Ivan!
There will never be a perfect system but God knows what we've got here in the U.S. doesn't work and with the economy the way it is ...well it's a shame because all that money could be going towards something good.
Just imagine all of those jerk wad drug dealers having to get real jobs because they wouldn't be able to make such a profit by selling drugs. How many gang shootings would we aviod? (They'd find plenty more to shoot each other over, including innocent bystanders). The only reason drugs are illegal in the US is because after Prohibition ended, they needed to find work for the officers in charge of patroling it.
I sure wish others felt the same way, it honestly drives me crazy.
Great hub Brie. I do not agree with some of the comments, but the hub is excellent!
Thanks
I actually blaim the drug users for a lot of the wrongs in our world today.
A lot of parents use drugs and neglect their children. Their children have many problems and causes a lot of problem in society. The parents need to stop the drug usage and becomes responsible parents.
Also, the drug users are causing all of the problems. If they would stop the usage, there would not be a market here, and the drug trafficking would go away. Shame on you drug users!
Keep on hubbing!
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TheMindlessBrute says:
7 months ago
Brie,
Marijuana is now the nations top crop,as far as money is concerned.You'll get no argument from me that the war is a fraud.I've been following the work of Catherine Austin Fitts and she makes the case against drug money being laundered by banks and Wall St. in this country and the facts are undeniable.Great hub B.T.W. looks like you've done your homework!