so any guess on how long til the feds raid the pot shops?

[billt]

This whole argument on the "cost" of the "War On Drugs" is a moot point. The cost to society is far greater. Both from government payouts, as well as the private sector. Which spends far more on drug rehab, welfare payouts, and lost revenue from illicit drug use. Not to mention the amount of people it removes from the work force because of it's far reaching effects, ruined health, along with the lives and families it destroys.

Besides, most everyone fighting this "war" is on the government payroll anyway. From local cops, to Federal DEA agents, Coast Guard, and Border Patrol Officers, military, on up to all the administrative posts within the same organizations. If this "war" was stopped, there is no way the government is going to discharge, and or lay off these people. The whole concept of government workers is to grow the size of the group you work for. Look at the Dept. Of Homeland Security. It didn't even exist before 9/11. Call it simple job security. The "cost" would remain the same. The country wouldn't "save" a dime if it ended today.

And as far as all of this "freedom" nonsense attached to the legalization of this crap, it is just more silliness. This country is based on Judeo Christian values. Our rights, as drawn up by the founding fathers, are God given. Remember that phrase, "In God We Trust"? Illegal street drugs do not fit into living a good Christian life. You don't need to be religious to heed this, because our country, along with all of it's values, principals, and rights is based on it.

[Solus]

Gosh, so many things should be illegal...

Cigarettes, no doubt.  Ice cream and candy...I see no benefit to mankind from them.

Gambling doesn't fit in a good Christian life either....good by bingo and horse racing and all the raffle tickets...

Some are border line too.   Dancing has been frowned upon by Christians on occasion.  And even Jesus, in blatant disregard for the ugly downside of alcohol, miraculously created an unending supply of wine.   Good bye wine..and maybe the sacrament of  Consecration for some religions will need to be outlawed...

And if we include the Judeo part, it's adios bacon too.   Which is good, I guess....no benefit to mankind in that...and, for sure, some bad things.

We have a lot of new laws to start working on, I see.

[MikeBjerum]

Let's quit quibbling, and quit micromanaging.  Eliminate these stupid restrictive laws that cherry pick one recreational choice after another.  However, let's also quit supporting them:  You do the crime you do the time; you choose to do drugs and get hooked you pay for the treatment; you do drugs and harm somebody, including your unborn child, you pay for that crime; etc.  This goes for all drugs, including nicotine, alcohol, caffine, etc.

By the way, the above does not remove my wish for random drug and alcohol testing for food stamp , welfare, and unemployment recipients.  You need the help, I demand you use my tax dollars wisely!

[Solus]

Let's quit quibbling, and quit micromanaging.  Eliminate these stupid restrictive laws that cherry pick one recreational choice after another.  However, let's also quit supporting them:  You do the crime you do the time; you choose to do drugs and get hooked you pay for the treatment; you do drugs and harm somebody, including your unborn child, you pay for that crime; etc.  This goes for all drugs, including nicotine, alcohol, caffine, etc.

By the way, the above does not remove my wish for random drug and alcohol testing for food stamp , welfare, and unemployment recipients.  You need the help, I demand you use my tax dollars wisely!

That seems like a good workable solution.

But I don't agree with the testing for food stamps.  There shouldn't be any.  Do away with them and that concern goes away too.  Same with welfare. 

Unemployment is a bit different.   Your employer pay for some or all of that and it is thus a benefit you have acquired in lieu of wages while working.  So the testing would be usable there..

[billt]

Gosh, so many things should be illegal...

Cigarettes, no doubt.  Ice cream and candy...I see no benefit to mankind from them.

Gambling doesn't fit in a good Christian life either....good by bingo and horse racing and all the raffle tickets...

Some are border line too.   Dancing has been frowned upon by Christians on occasion.  And even Jesus, in blatant disregard for the ugly downside of alcohol, miraculously created an unending supply of wine.   Good bye wine..and maybe the sacrament of  Consecration for some religions will need to be outlawed...

And if we include the Judeo part, it's adios bacon too.   Which is good, I guess....no benefit to mankind in that...and, for sure, some bad things.

We have a lot of new laws to start working on, I see.

If you can't distinguish the difference between ice cream and crystal meth, this discussion is over.

[Sponsor]

[Solus]

If you can't distinguish the difference between ice cream and crystal meth, this discussion is over.

I can Bill, it is you I question. 

You listed two criteria for something not to be illegal. 

1. it had to be of benefit to mankind

and

2.  it had to be part of a Christian lifestyle.


I listed items that did you meet YOU'RE stated criteria.   


Additionally, I question the the lawmakers who will assume the role of making those differentiations as they pass laws.

How many lawmakers would say that private ownership of firearms is not in the benefit of mankind?

How many lawmakers would say that owning firearms is not part of a Christian lifestyle?

[Big Frank]

Gosh, so many things should be illegal...

Cigarettes, no doubt.  Ice cream and candy...I see no benefit to mankind from them.

Gambling doesn't fit in a good Christian life either....good by bingo and horse racing and all the raffle tickets...

Some are border line too.   Dancing has been frowned upon by Christians on occasion.  And even Jesus, in blatant disregard for the ugly downside of alcohol, miraculously created an unending supply of wine.   Good bye wine..and maybe the sacrament of  Consecration for some religions will need to be outlawed...

And if we include the Judeo part, it's adios bacon too.   Which is good, I guess....no benefit to mankind in that...and, for sure, some bad things.

We have a lot of new laws to start working on, I see.

Come on. Bacon. No benefit to mankind? 

[tombogan03884]

This whole argument on the "cost" of the "War On Drugs" is a moot point. The cost to society is far greater. Both from government payouts, as well as the private sector. Which spends far more on drug rehab, welfare payouts, and lost revenue from illicit drug use. Not to mention the amount of people it removes from the work force because of it's far reaching effects, ruined health, along with the lives and families it destroys.

Besides, most everyone fighting this "war" is on the government payroll anyway. From local cops, to Federal DEA agents, Coast Guard, and Border Patrol Officers, military, on up to all the administrative posts within the same organizations. If this "war" was stopped, there is no way the government is going to discharge, and or lay off these people. The whole concept of government workers is to grow the size of the group you work for. Look at the Dept. Of Homeland Security. It didn't even exist before 9/11. Call it simple job security. The "cost" would remain the same. The country wouldn't "save" a dime if it ended today.

And as far as all of this "freedom" nonsense attached to the legalization of this crap, it is just more silliness. This country is based on Judeo Christian values. Our rights, as drawn up by the founding fathers, are God given. Remember that phrase, "In God We Trust"? Illegal street drugs do not fit into living a good Christian life. You don't need to be religious to heed this, because our country, along with all of it's values, principals, and rights is based on it.

That is an easily disproved load of crap.
If these drugs selectively targeted by the Gov caused all those problems then the problems would have been far worse before the 1930's when these laws went into effect.

But they weren't.

Face it.
Some of you just need to have the G looking out for you because you can't make a sensible decision for yourself .
If I'm wrong why do we need drunk driving laws, and laws saying you can't be reading text messages while driving ?

[billt]

That is an easily disproved load of crap.
If these drugs selectively targeted by the Gov caused all those problems then the problems would have been far worse before the 1930's when these laws went into effect.

But they weren't.

Face it.
Some of you just need to have the G looking out for you because you can't make a sensible decision for yourself .
If I'm wrong why do we need drunk driving laws, and laws saying you can't be reading text messages while driving ?

Who was using crystal meth and Extacy in the 30's? Even Cocaine didn't come into vogue as enough of a drug problem until the 70's and 80's when it became the "IN" drug around the disco and night club scene. Drug use was no where near as prevalent back then as it is today. Sheer population numbers prove that. Technology, as well as modern chemistry has "invented" many new drug and social issues. We obviously didn't need drunk driving laws before the automobile was invented.

Look, I don't like legislation any more than anyone else. But you just said it yourself. Texting and cell phone use while driving is a perfect example. Both didn't exist 35 years ago. Today they do, and are a dangerous problem. I don't own a phone that can send a text message, because I think the whole idea is absurd. Call me crazy, but I use a phone to actually TALK to people. Many do text while driving, and they endanger others when they do. Same with booze and drugs.

The fact is many people are just too stupid to manage their lives in a respectable manner. They constantly endanger others with their compulsive, stupid actions. That is why we are a society of laws, like it or not.

[billt]

Another thing to consider is the populations overall attitude about drug use. They've been talking about legalizing pot since the 30's. It really got a head of steam behind the movement in the 60's. But not that many people were in favor of it. Attempts to get it legalized failed left and right because it just never had the majority of public support.

Today it does because of the whole "hurray for me and anything goes" attitude of the country. Get abortions, marry your dog, smoke pot, ban Christmas because there is no God, anything and everything should be legalized. We already see where this attitude is taking us. Look at Colorado. It's your best and most recent example. Washington state is another. It's become a run away train. And sooner or later it's going to leave the tracks. Laws may or may not solve these problems. But letting idiots run wild with lawlessness is no solution.

Tom, you may be right. Some of these idiots require a government to keep them corralled. I sure as hell don't want them running into me.......And then having to foot the bill on top of it when they do.