Our Drug War Next Door

[Comrade Tovya]

akuma587 said:
I wouldn't have as much problem with a full scale war on drugs if we had the money to pay for it, but we are dead broke as a country. There are far more important things for us to worry about it. And frankly, I think our military can serve people better than as drug police.

Furthermore, fighting against the drug trade makes the drug trade even more lucrative as it limits supply. This would make drug cartels that survive even stronger. What you are suggesting is like fighting a hydra with a sword and no torch. The drugs are going to get where they need to be one way or another, and those who can get them there will profit immensely. The war on drugs has been a miserable failure and a phenomenal waste of resources.

You want to talk about inefficient government spending, this is a prime example. We might as well throw the money down a well. Legalizing marijuana would be the most effective way to cause direct harm and disruption to the drug cartels, organized crime, and even local crime. Its just like the underground alcohol trade during Prohibition which fostered unprecedented levels of organized crime in America. If you can't beat them, just join them. Everyone will be better off.

 

You and I are pretty close on this issue really...

You are right in your assertion that the drug war is a waste of money (just like the war in Iraq is valiant in principal, but has been severly mismanaged). 

The problem is not that either war is bad, but really that they not being managed properly.  I think we have jacked around in both wars... I say, either go to war to win it, and go at it full blast, or don't go at all.

Go into Iraq and wreak terror into the hearts of the terrorist, and strike fear into the soul of the cartel, or just don't bother at all.

I think it's similar to the UN distribution of food and medicine to AIDS striken African nations.  I love the concept, it's absolutely valiant and beautiful.  But corruption and pussy-footing around makes .90$ out of every dollar a waste.  So what's the point?  If our goal is not to actually solve problems where they exist, what's the point?  It's a waste of money and resources.