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Politics : Libertarian Discussion Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Don Lloyd who wrote (3858)	7/12/2000 2:54:53 PM
From: budweeder	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13056

Hi Don; My perception is based on what I "think" I heard from an interview on TV...I cannot quote his words exactly but they were in this vein.....2004 will mark a watershed in the growth of the LP as a political entity..and the flashpoint for that growth will be the issue of legalization of street drugs. I was astounded that he believes there is a large number, even a majority, who would support such a political party....I agree that they will attract some number to their party on that issue...but they condemn themselves to a very minority party if that is their main issue. I know that they also stand for other things with which I agree....individual responsibility...less government...fewer government mandates...etc.......I agree with those positions..but citizens like me are repulsed by drug legalization..If there are reasons why this path should be followed, there must be a much clearer articulation of the reasons than I have heard yet...the impression for that position to be held by the LP is that they want to be free to use drugs when or where. I decry the huge expenditures that are spent for enforcement of drug laws, costs for prisons, etc. but I chose, as I chose to be taxed at huge amounts to support the national defense structure without real complaint, to build the prisons and bear the costs of the "drug war". If the argument is one of monetary cost..it will not wash... A proposal for how the legalization would be controlled..and I mean strictly controlled, would have to be presented to the American people, along with articulation of the reasons why society would be better under such a controlled system. Simply saying that those drug prisioners not guilty of violent crimes should be let out of prison..and everyone should be able to make bad choices as well as good will not sell in my opinion. I believe most see the use of drugs and the crimes of that culture as the cause of the problem and the "war" on drugs as a heroic, albeit somewhat futile to date, effort to make a better society. Regards, Bud