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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (8635)	1/10/2006 10:46:47 AM
From: Geoff Altman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 541355

But I think was also a hard currency (gold) issue involved there since gold reserves were being depleted by British opium sales. I could easily argue that this was the very reason that China outlawed opium. Emperors cared little about their subjects, they cared plenty about staying strong..........

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (8635)	1/10/2006 11:07:04 AM
From: Geoff Altman	Respond to of 541355

The bottom line is that your removing the huge profit incentive. Once that's gone what would be the reason for drug manufacturers to continue their current behavior?

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (8635)	1/10/2006 11:09:07 AM
From: Lane3	Respond to of 541355

I would offer the controversial opinion that narco-traffickers ARE businessmen... I considered expanding on that thought when I posted it. Initially I would assume that the criminal businessmen would go legit and bring some of their crudeness with them. It would take a while before that worked through the system. Remember, though, that with drugs legalized, we'd have options. We would surely regulate drugs along the lines of what we've done with alcohol. As a result, the suppliers would have to meet certain standards. We wouldn't have to stock drugs that came from folks we didn't trust. There would be plenty of suppliers to choose from. We could be getting them from Merck or Gallo or RJ Reynolds.

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (8635)	1/10/2006 11:22:08 AM
From: Mary Cluney	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 541355

I would offer the controversial opinion that narco-traffickers ARE businessmen... Just very ruthless ones, willing to do anything to ensure they can maximize their profits. I disagree. Criminals are criminals because they couldn't compete on a level playing field. They are immediate gratifications folks. They want things the way they want it immediately. It is their way or the highway. They are not into planning, developing good managers, and making their organization more efficient. But I agree in so much as they are not going away. They are still going to try to muscle in and get a piece of the action - but ultimately they will fail. If they succeed, their kids will get an Ivy League education and go legit. So, even if they succeed, they will disappear.