The War on Drugs : Is lost

[ATOMonkey]

They may not go away completely, but they will contract to a much much smaller size.

Stealing cats, cars, etc are not only more risky, but they don't pay as well as selling drugs.

If it were more lucritive to be doing those activities, it would already be the case. Since gangs are not financed by theft, we can assume, quite logically, that gang membership will go down if there was no money to be made in selling drugs through the black market.

 

[SavageEagle]

They may not go away completely, but they will contract to a much much smaller size.

Stealing cats, cars, etc are not only more risky, but they don't pay as well as selling drugs.

If it were more lucritive to be doing those activities, it would already be the case. Since gangs are not financed by theft, we can assume, quite logically, that gang membership will go down if there was no money to be made in selling drugs through the black market.

I'm very sorry to say, but the gangs will not shrink by much. I've been on the inside. I've ran with one of the highest ranked OG's in the Nation. Trust me, there will always be a way for them to make quick cash as there is always a black market for something. And you can look for more severe crimes to rise.

Again, this is not the thread to discuss this. But just trust me, gangs will not go away by legalizing drugs.

 

[MinuteMan47]

I've ran with one of the highest ranked OG's in the Nation. Trust me,...

Should that have been in purple?

 

[SavageEagle]

Should that have been in purple?

Trust me, I wish it could be.

 

[ATOMonkey]

Yeah, there's always ways to make quick cash, but some are more risky than others.

By eliminating the easy way to make quick cash, you force them to take bigger risks. These risks may not be acceptable to the lower level foot soldier who is making less than minimum wage, as it is, selling crack on the corner. The way things are structured now, the reward of one day becoming a "member of the board" outweigh the risk of being shot or arrested for selling.

One of the other benefits of legalizing drugs is that you turn these footsoldiers into honest salesmen, and now they don't need to shoot each other in order to posess the most lucritive corner since they'll have a brick and mortar store front.

This reduction in criminal on criminal shootings will greatly reduce the collateral damage done in and around the community, allowing for greater upward mobility in traditionally poor areas.

Legalizing drugs also moves customers out of these high crime areas, which removes the sellers from the high crime areas.

My goal, in legalizing drugs, is to reduce violence in urban communities, allowing families to grow up in relative safety, compared to the past, and thus giving them more upward mobility.

It also removes the "romanticism" associated with the drug trade. It's not nearly as sexy to work a 9-5 shift behind a counter selling crack as it is to stand, armed, on a corner intimidating rival gangs and trading drugs for sex or other favors. Not to say that it won't happen, but you don't see people selling cigarettes and bootleg hooch on the corner.

There is lots of economic and historical evidence to support a reduction of violent crime in association with the legalization of drugs.

 

[XMil]

Sorry, I didn't think my post made it last night.

Oh, and I'm sorry, but if you legalize drugs, gangs will NOT disappear. That's VERY naive. Gangs will just find another way to make money.

In the current market, they may be able to get into health care.

 

[NordicHeathenVinlander]

Im not too sure I want the Government controlling the drug market, as far criminal gangs are concerned.

I dont know who I trust less comparatively speaking.

Atleast if Im screwed over by a gang member, I can get some Justice out of the punk, not like he'll run to the police

But slapping around Government agents or corporate executives.... Is that even legal

 

[MinuteMan47]

Im not too sure I want the Government controlling the drug market, as far criminal gangs are concerned.

I dont know who I trust less comparatively speaking.

Atleast if Im screwed over by a gang member, I can get some Justice out of the punk, not like he'll run to the police

But slapping around Government agents or corporate executives.... Is that even legal

But they already do...

 

[jason conley]

If doing drugs is part of a person's pursuit of happiness then isn't his or her rights being violated? I say make them all legal and enforce it like liquor. Until the drug user violates someone elses rights or safety I just don't see the problem.

 

[groovatron]

If doing drugs is part of a person's pursuit of happiness then isn't his or her rights being violated? I say make them all legal and enforce it like liquor. Until the drug user violates someone elses rights or safety I just don't see the problem.

 

[JBusch8899]

If doing drugs is part of a person's pursuit of happiness then isn't his or her rights being violated? I say make them all legal and enforce it like liquor. Until the drug user violates someone elses rights or safety I just don't see the problem.

I wish it were that simple.

 

[SavageEagle]

I wish it were that simple.

Isn't it though? If not, why?

 

[downzero]

It is that simple, they just don't want to finally admit it.

 

[IndyMonkey]

It is that simple, they just don't want to finally admit it.

Really its not, too many people have taken money for promises that they now have to fulfill.

 

[SavageEagle]

Really its not, too many people have taken money for promises that they now have to fulfill.

When they don't fulfill those promises... Karma is a *****, as they say.

 

[Duncan]

WE love our drugs and guns .... we all ways have that is why we tax them ...


U.S. pockets $20.6 bln in sin taxes in FY'09


U.S. pockets $20.6 bln in sin taxes in FY'09 | Reuters

 

[Ogre]

I wish it were that simple.

Really its not, too many people have taken money for promises that they now have to fulfill.

Please elaborate.
IM, it would seem you are saying it isn't that easy because of politics or govt. corruption? If that is your meaning then I ask, does that make it acceptible?

 

[Duncan]

WHAT A SHAME .. I'm just all busted up inside ...

the Stockton Police Department announced Wednesday that it could no longer man its dope squad.

Wars are not always won or lost with the bayonet .. but he who has the deepest purse.


Budget Axe Falls on Stockton Narcs

Budget Axe Falls on Stockton Narcs | StoptheDrugWar.org




[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZGMLP2pK8c[/ame]

 

[Duncan]

Libertarian Judge John Buttrick Speaks to Phoenix

Libertarian Judge John Buttrick Speaks to Phoenix NORML (Video)

5 Videos located here

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CoNSBmQ_lA&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Judge John Buttrick speaks at the Phoenix NORML Monthly Meeting Pt. 1[/ame]

 

[E5RANGER375]

when a regular person like me says that (the above, by the judge) no one listens. They just accuse us of being druggies. Which I'm not.