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

To: Mike P. who wrote (25)	6/29/1998 8:09:00 AM
From: Turboe	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13056

Maybe I should start one for the War on Drugs? I have a TON of info. Well, in the Party platform they say: THE WAR ON DRUGS The so-called "War on Drugs" is a grave threat to individual liberty, to domestic order and to peace in the world; furthermore, it has provided a rationale by which the power of the state has been expanded to restrict greatly our right to privacy and to be secure in our homes. We call for the repeal of all laws establishing criminal or civil penalties for the use of drugs and of "anti-crime" measures restricting individual rights to be secure in our persons, homes, and property, or limiting our rights to keep and bear arms. -------------------------------------------------------------------- VICTIMLESS CRIMES Because only actions that infringe on the rights of others can properly be termed crimes, we favor the repeal of all federal, state, and local laws creating "crimes" without victims. In particular, we advocate: a. the repeal of all laws prohibiting the production, sale, possession, or use of drugs, and of all medicinal prescription requirements for the purchase of vitamins, drugs, and similar substances; b. the repeal of all laws restricting or prohibiting the use or sale of alcohol, requiring health warning labels and signs, making bartenders or hosts responsible for the behavior of customers and guests, making liquor companies liable for birth defects, and making gambling houses liable for the losses of intoxicated gamblers; c. the repeal of all laws or policies authorizing stopping drivers without probable cause to test for alcohol or drug use; d. the repeal of all laws regarding consensual sexual relations, including prostitution and solicitation, and the cessation of state oppression and harassment of homosexual men and women, that they, at last, be accorded their full rights as individuals; e. the repeal of all laws regulating or prohibiting the possession, use, sale, production, or distribution of sexually explicit material, independent of "socially redeeming value" or compliance with "community standards"; f. the repeal of all laws regulating or prohibiting gambling; g. the repeal of anti-racketeering statutes such as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), which punish peaceful behavior -- including insider trading in securities, sale of sexually explicit material, and nonviolent anti-abortion protests -- by freezing and/or seizing assets of the accused or convicted; and h. the repeal of all laws interfering with the right to commit suicide as infringements of the ultimate right of an individual to his or her own life. We demand the use of executive pardon to free and exonerate all those presently incarcerated or ever convicted solely for the commission of these "crimes." We condemn the wholesale confiscation of property prior to conviction by the state that all too often accompanies police raids, searches, and prosecutions for victimless crimes. Further, we recognize that, often, the Federal Government blackmails states which refuse to comply with these laws by withholding funds and we applaud those states which refuse to be so coerced.

To: Mike P. who wrote (25)	6/29/1998 8:28:00 AM
From: MeDroogies	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13056

'today the supply is greater and prices cheaper' - not true, new drugs have been created that are easier to produce and distibute, nevertheless, too many variables involved to accurately make that statement. Actually, if new drugs are being created, then the supply is increasing, in a manner of speaking. However, there are not too many variables to make a judgement call here. Fact is, ask any abuser, supply is up AND prices are down. Don't forget, EVEN IF we squeeze the supply and drive prices up, the ONLY thing we accomplish is improve the RISK/REWARD ratio. There is no increased risk vis-a-vis current conditions, but the reward is improved via greater profits. Also, we increase indirect crime as abusers need to supplement their income to buy the same amounts at increased prices. Hence, when supplies are short, petty economic crimes increase.