Posted by
Kittridge on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 3:31:09 PM
The following is my response to Jacob Sullum's article Palin's Pot Problem
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As conservatives, do we not believe in small government? In the people's right to make their own decisions?
I am of the far-right viewpoint on just about every issue, from economics to national security to abortion. This is the one issue in which I disagree with my party. I just can't justify their position of thinking for the American citizen.
There is a major difference between marijuana use and abortion - Marijuana doesn't kill. The only harm it inflicts is upon the user (and I would venture to say that the harm is insignificant in comparison to alcohol or tobacco use, both legal). Yes, heavy users may experience a type of apathy that could have a negative effect on their families, but it isn't as serious as the effect alcoholism would have on a family; furthermore, rarely - if ever - does marijuana cause the user to become violent, unlike alcohol.
So what is the justification for choosing to outlaw something only harms those who choose to use. Is it Washington's place to think for us? Nay, they can attempt to guide us, although I would plead that they remain in the background of our decisions. Americans are capable of thinking for themselves. Of course, there should be restrictions - D.U.I.'s, age limiting, etc. But that's just common sense. There is the argument that parents who use marijuana may not be the best parents they could be, and I would agree with that sentiment. Regardless, I know many parents who use marijuana, some good, some bad in relation to their parenting skills. Bottom line, they are using now. Would those families be better off if that mother or father was imprisoned? I seriously doubt it; anyhow, they aren't going to stop because it's illegal. They have been using for years.
Tax revenues/elimination of black market. Prohibition leads to illegal trade. Plain and simple. When an item or substance is criminalized, it doesn't disappear from society; it allows gangs and criminals a new opportunity to profit and purvey aggressive tactics against otherwise good citizens. Alcohol and guns are a great example. This is one reason why the republican doesn't agree with gun control. The good people who abide by the law are left defenseless, but gangs and other criminals will find other ways to get their hands on the weapons, giving them a powerful advantage over those who choose to abide by the law. If the federal government would give up this charade of a drug war, America could openly profit from the marijuana trade (remember, this country was subsidized in part by the tobacco trade in its early years) and use those funds in a variety of positive ways.
The tax revenues alone could alleviate the burden of the war against terror, or help to fund social security, or provide the funds for a litany of other problems. As it stands, this money is being funneled to cartels in many other countries, most of them agressive towards the U.S. Are we funding terrorists? Most assuredly. Look at MS-13, one of the most vicious and ruthless street gangs of our time. While most of their funding comes from the cocaine trade, marijuana is surely a source of their income.
Law Enforcement. Hundreds of thousands of decent Americans are jailed each year because they use a substance no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco. The funding for law enforcement to fight the war on drugs is staggering alone; factor in the costs of imprisonment, court costs, etc. and we are talking hundreds of millions. This money, as mentioned in other posts, could be used to educate children about the REAL dangers of much harder drugs, like METH, HEROIN and COCAINE. A percentage of kids will grow up to use, regardless of the education and dangers, but it couldn't hurt. Additionally, some of the money could be used to fund more high quality rehab centers across the country to help those who see the error in their ways and wish to save their lives.
Free up the prisons for REAL criminals, the rapists, murderers and thieves who pose A REAL THREAT to our neighborhoods.
This is a free and democratic society. People should be free to make their own decisions as long as they don't harm (or intend to harm)other Americans. Allow a referendum on this issue. If the American people shoot it down, so be it. But let us make the decision.
I'm disappointed that Gov. Palin has taken this stance, but I can understand her concerns. Many Christian conservatives will never change their opinion on this matter. Not even when their children end up in jail for something so trivial. It is ingrained in our minds (I consider myself to be a conservative Christian) that all drugs are evil. Indeed, there is an absence of "morality" involved - we should all strive to live purely and and with a clear head. But its a part of society, much like alcohol and tobacco, and its not going to disappear. We need better policies if we wish to truly control the situation.
I would urge Palin, McCain and all other republicans to reconsider the current policy and the potential benefits (and negatives) of revamping the drug laws.
Finally, I believe that Mr. Sullum wrote a quality editorial, except I wouldn't call Palin a hypocrite for her stance. Just misguided.
Go McCain/Palin '08!
~Kit