Ummm, I'd say you overreacted. Okay, I can see that my language was a little off. Monitoring is improper and not "pc", but I was referring to the ability (as anyone who has helped an alcoholic undergoing treatment) to assist and amend their behavior - but only with their permission. I wasn't referring to following them or video taping them or anything. I WAS referring to treatment...it is my mistake that I used a "bad" word and didn't qualify it.
Black markets make it inherently difficult to treat abusers seeking help. I know. My best friend was a crack abuser who was in treatment. It took us several weeks before we realized that he was back on the street....AGAINST HIS OWN WISHES! He REALLY wanted to stop - but couldn't. He needed help, but the only help the black market provides is the ability for abusers to maintain a habit.
I'm not saying legalization would eliminate that problem entirely - but it would make it FAR EASIER to prevent such backsliding. I know that legal alcohol is one reason why several of my reformed drinking friends are not drinking...their favorite bars and liquor stores won't serve them (assuming they wanted to get served). I've never met a black marketeer who would be so accomodating. Granted, IF they really wanted to drink, they could go elsewhere...but that is often a hurdle only hardcore users are willing to cross. And they know if they cross it, that is a shot across the bow that they have to seek support again. That is not quite the same as visiting your friendly neighborhood pusher who you know intimately and is willing to give you your fix.
As for taxation, well, even Libertarians recognize the role of taxation and the fact that it IS and CAN BE useful (not in policy making for societal gains, but in maintaining some level of government - which we all need - but only SOME level of government).
Libertarianism is a HUGE tent. We EVEN have (who'd a thunk it?) some anti-abortion supporters who are Libertarian. The one problem (actually, I think it is its strength) of Libertarianism is that there is no set guidelines for EXACTLY how big the gov't should be, or what types of belief structures fit the Libertarian "mindset". I know several Libertarians who support gun control, and several who support limited immigration.
By and large, we all agree on one thing - a more limited government and reduced tax rates. I personally don't see sin taxes as a bad thing, it is just the amount of the taxation that can be detrimental. So-called sin taxes ARE regressive, in a sense, but if the funds are used specifically for education and treatment, then I would say that the supposed "sins" themselves are self-policing. That is all we can hope for.
One other thing...I don't have a problem with the government engaging in business activities, either, AS LONG AS 2 rules are followed:
1. the businesses earn a profit or act as a non-profit group, AND they don't receive government subsidies.
2. they do NOT have a monopoly in any market.
These are very hard rules for any government to follow...and would prevent a government from engaging in, say, running AMTRAK or the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (a government price support mechanism). |
