101–110 of 143 posts
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You say it like there's a choice.
You say that like there's a sane and safe alternative.
I realized today that it's a privilege to watch prohibition die; it gives me faith in the future to witness the end of a profound injustice in my time.
Morality aside, I think widespread drug legalization will greatly increase usage rates. It could lead to a more dystopic future where a very large portion of people are using various drugs.
I realized today that it's a privilege to watch prohibition die; it gives me faith in the future to witness the end of a profound injustice in my time.
Morality aside, I think widespread drug legalization will greatly increase usage rates. It could lead to a more dystopic future where a very large portion of people are using various drugs.
Cannabis and mushrooms, to name some, have been considered and succesfully used as versatile medicine for thousands of years, only to be banned about half a decade ago. Only the last few years this is starting to change, as more and more research shows the medicinal benefits, while debunking most of the lies that have been spread.
Psychedelics 'cure' consumerism, make one more sovereign, enable independent thought, and help you break destructive patterns, by making one see through their life-long conditioning. They make us better people, but worse consumers who need less medicine.
It's quite obvious why these substances are banned, as it's not in the interest of the state to have a flock capable of independent thought, that does not consume a lot and doesn't buy words of division and fear. To clarify even more: the only legal substances are those that cloud our thoughts and make us stupid and dependent, like alcohol or prescribed anti-depressants.
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> Drug cartels don't make there money selling to people in Mexico, the real money is in the US market. This decision is not sufficient, but if mexico completely legalised drugs, including manufacture, sale and distribution, the cartel violence in mexico would mostly stop, because they'd be legitimate businessmen who could rely on police protection. The US wouldn't like it, but hey, that's their problem (in theory - i…
The cartels would not just become upstanding taxpayers and the US is legalizing weed. Anti-American comments will always get you up votes but your scenario is very unlikely.
I am quite sure that the cost of providing their own security is considerably more than any taxes on legitimate businesses in mexico. So it makes sense for them from a business perspective. Obviously it won't happen overnight. Some of them will adapt and work within the system, others will find that their old ways are not competitive with the legitimate businesses, who have lower overheads.
Obviously there will still be crime, and the cartels that don't adapt will find other criminal enterprises to pursue. But it's hard to see another market that will provide them with comparable income.
It was not my intent for the comment to come off as "anti-american". Just saying that mexico making this change would move the problem to the US, which would then be forced to act, hopefully by following through with a full-on legalisation of their own (not just for marijuana).
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The same that stops the mafia from threatening anybody who brews beer or distills liquor: the target can now call the cops.
The cops who work for the cartel [1]? [1] http://time.com/3490853/mexico-massacre-students-police-cart... Edit: Downvoters, I would love to hear why I am wrong. I only know what I read about Mexican law enforcement, no personal experience dealing with them.
Then Anheuser-Busch comes along and plunks down $100 million to build a brewery. Which side is any cop with half a brain going to opt for: the mafiosos trying to cling onto their obsolete business model, or the legit megacorp who'll be paying "facilitation fees" for decades to come?
"If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny." --Thomas Jefferson
* http://www.snopes.com/quotes/jefferson/medicine.asp
* http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/if-people-let-gover...
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Drug cartels don't make there money selling to people in Mexico, the real money is in the US market.
> Drug cartels don't make there money selling to people in Mexico, the real money is in the US market. This decision is not sufficient, but if mexico completely legalised drugs, including manufacture, sale and distribution, the cartel violence in mexico would mostly stop, because they'd be legitimate businessmen who could rely on police protection. The US wouldn't like it, but hey, that's their problem (in theory - i…
I, as a citizen, do vote against politicians who either publicly have those views or have voted on those lines.. But what else can I do, other than emigrate? And that takes money, an advanced degree, and lots of luck to be accepted.
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> gringo's arrogance knows no limit Your first two paragraphs are a seriously unfair characterization of this thread. Obviously Mexico's Supreme Court is ruling about Mexico's constitution. The remainder of your comment is factual and fine.
I think my comment was extremely fair at the time when I wrote it. I am glad to see that more intelligent debate is going on now, but please go see the nonsense written at the bottom of the page and judge by yourself. I'd rather not point specific examples. And thanks for your compliments too.
What can I do, aside voting and emigration, that will make the US not "export democracy" and in general, not tamper with laws and rulemaking in other sovereign states?
What shocked me about this article was the poll showing 77% of people in Mexico are opposed to legalization. Why? Social conservatism? Do they not understand that prohibition benefits the cartels and funds their violence?
Maybe they understand that argument, but disagree with it.
I personally think it rather unlikely that legalization will lead to the dissolution of the cartels. In fact my first (paranoid, almost certainly wrong) thought was that the cartels had some sway with the Mexican Supreme Court.
Most of the time the people who disagree with you are not simply stupid or ignorant, but have different values and don't share all the same assumptions.
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I think my comment was extremely fair at the time when I wrote it. I am glad to see that more intelligent debate is going on now, but please go see the nonsense written at the bottom of the page and judge by yourself. I'd rather not point specific examples. And thanks for your compliments too.
This potentially derails the conversation, but also falls within your ire of fellow US citizens' thoughts. What can I do, aside voting and emigration, that will make the US not "export democracy" and in general, not tamper with laws and rulemaking in other sovereign states?