Does the United States have a moral obligation to consider legalizing drugs?

Ricardo · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 09:01 PM

There have been some interesting reports in the media lately about US officials being concerned that Mexico’s drug violence is going to “spill over” into the US. I think the reality is that billions of US drug demand dollars have already “spilled over” into Mexico, Colombia, and Latin America, wrecking havoc on those countries. They have paid a huge price in loss of life and security because the US has done nothing to reduce domestic demand for illegal drugs. We keep attempting to win the war on drugs abroad, but that is not going to happen as long as there is a huge demand for those drugs here in the US. If the supply or production of drugs is eliminated or greatly reduce in one Latin American country, production will simply move to another country or region. Mexico will most likely continue to pay a huge price because its proximity to the US will always make it a desirable distribution point for drugs making their way to the US. Despite the huge resources that the Calderon administration has put into fighting narco-traffickers, things seem to be getting worse in Mexico. It amazes me that there is no conversation or thought in the US about the impact our drug demand has on other countries. Although I have seen lives here in the US destroyed by drug use, I think we have reached the point where our country needs to look at the least bad way to legalize drugs. Our neighbors to the south in Latin America pay a far greater price than we do.

***BIG E*** · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 09:10 PM

This topic has been beat like a dead horse.

Ricardo · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 10:54 PM

Looking back I see a thread by JMitch that rants against George Soros and refers people again to Larouch to get the truth, but how many of us who have traveled to South America have thought about the impact US drug demand has in that region? I have not seen it mentioned at all in the US media. Ignorance about the world outside our own boarders can result in our (US) being a bad neighbor in the world community.

***BIG E*** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo

Looking back I see a thread by JMitch that rants against George Soros and refers people again to Larouch to get the truth, but how many of us who have traveled to South America have thought about the impact US drug demand has in that region? I have not seen it mentioned at all in the US media. Ignorance about the world outside our own boarders can result in our (US) being a bad neighbor in the world community.

I travel for a living... I see first hand many aspects, both good and bad, of the world.

I dont think another thread arguing for and against legalization of drugs is what we need. It has been beaten to death.

Ricardo · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 11:17 PM

Big E,

This is the section for news, politics, and religion. I think you are moving from constructive moderator to unreasonable censor. If nobody cares to comment so be it, but no need for you to stifle constructive dialog.

***BIG E*** · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo

Big E,

This is the section for news, politics, and religion. I think you are moving from constructive moderator to unreasonable censor. If nobody cares to comment so be it, but no need for you to stifle constructive dialog.

I'm not censoring anything. Censoring would be me closing this thread or deleting it. That has not been done.

If you go back and look at some previous threads, we have been down this road multiple times. The conclusion is always the same.

But go ahead... knock yourself out!

TheWix · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 11:36 PM

I have been in more Drug houses then most here. The answer to your question, is yes. Of course. I know Big E we disagree again. Take the big and easy money out of the drug business why would they want to sell and kill each other over it? Please take me why it's so hard for people to understand that !!!
Last time I will comment on this.

***BIG E*** · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWix

I have been in more Drug houses then most here. The answer to your question, is yes. Of course. I know Big E we disagree again.

I'm done with this subject. It is not something that is going to happen, so I don't really care.

***HonkyTonk*** · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 11:41 PM

"Although I have seen lives here in the US destroyed by drug use, I think we have reached the point where our country needs to look at the least bad way to legalize drugs."

I've lost a lot of friend's in the past to drug abuse. I've seen it ruin lives and families up here. My vote would definitely be for stiffer penalties for those who deal it and for those who abuse it. I'm not talking about a person who gets busted with a doobie, but the hard core users, abusers and those who distribute it. Legalize it in any way? I have no support for it.

"Our neighbors to the south in Latin America pay a far greater price than we do."

I really don't know that answer. Sure I can see what it's done to Colombia and now Mexico, but how can we add up the untold cost to the citizens of the US who have died as a result as well? It could be from use, getting involved in the trade, or the destruction of our family unit.

If 10,000 people SOTB die from the drug trade, is the number any lower here in the US all things considering?

Airto · #10 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 01:05 AM

My does this thread sound familiar, I think its been about 2 weeks that Big E and myself squared off toe to toe on this same subject, I think I took a lot out of him, he won't answer the bell this time

.

I did state in that thread that the demand in US was the problem and that we need to kill it, also I stated I have lost friends and family members because of this so the subject has been

.....

We mentioned legalizing it but some us felt that would be a mistake, I don't have the answer but the demand is the problem that I see. Also, I don't know if any of you heard but last week I was listing to Capitol public radio and heard that California is discussing the legalization of POT with an age restriction of 21 years old. If they do legalize it they better make some good **** because the competition would be fierce.

I also mentioned in that same thread that I spent some time In Amsterdam in an area were getting high respectfully was and still is legal, it was on the menu gentleman, you could get coffee, a bagel, and your morning hash :crazy. A group of guys about my age at the time walked up to me and said "Whats Happening YANK" (I guess I had that look

) and attempted to sale me some of their stash. I used that real life example to show that just because it is legal does not mean it will stop being sold on the street.

Does anyone have anything else to add, I am all ears