Why oh why do "freedom loving citizens" continue to believe this absurdity?

Question

I was just reading a question posted 2 weeks ago that asked whether we should legalise ALL drugs.

(http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvOe_D7XzSP04X53KUK.X3kjzKIX?qid=20061103061420AAC4yCc)

Now, I am a VERY intelligent, rational citizen of the United States. I believe that logic and reason should rule all debates, rather than hysterical emotive shrills uttered by power-hungry politicians and neurotic mothers. I also believe in our REPUBLIC (read: not a democracy) and our Western philosophical tradition which emphasises personal freedom and the accompanying responsibility.

One "Keith L" responds:

"That's like saying that because the murder rate is so high, let's just make it legal. You must have some rules to guide society and prevent things from free fall. Look at the good and bad things about drugs. Drugs ruin peoples lives."

This is the same sort of reasoning that got us into this fiasco in the beginning. Now, it should be obvious that this fellow is...

...terribly ill-informed, misled by propaganda, and susceptible to all forms of emotional irrationality that pollutes politics in this "Age of Information." This, may I say, MORON is exactly the reason we are still spending money on this 90 year boondoggle.

How can you equate drug use, a victimless "crime", as well as a potentially beautiful, enabling, and enlightening aspect of human behavior with murder or theft, egregious violent offences that obviously infringe on others rights. When I want to munch up a few OxyContin, who am I hurting but myself? Especially when you consider that this "dangerous drug" is a far more effective cure for social anxiety (for me) than any one of those silly SSRIs.

Lets not forget "J. Charles" who again picks up prohibitionist crap and wholly ingests it:
"Of course!
And while we Legalizing ALL drugs lets Give under 5's Loaded hand Guns to play with!!!!!!!!!! "

Drugs are not violent implements of death, they are merely substances with the...

incredible power to change our perception of reality. Much like a gun, however, they are to be handled with responsibility and care, as the POTENTIAL exists for one to do harm to themselves or others. But if you look at the vast majority of drug "abusers" (ie users) most are productive members of society.

Since when did society become so inclined to believe irrational, overly emotive arguments for dehumanizing a certain segment of the population? What ever happened to the grand theory of balance and moderation? After all, moderation has proven empirically in every case to be far more effective at producing an intelligent, productive populace rather than draconian prohibitions.

Why do so many people insist on being too lazy to ask "why?", instead taking the word of authorities as God's gospel?

What happened to freedom?

Kartouche, While I appreciate and agree with you regarding my name calling (yes, I was out of line, I admit) you must understand where I am coming from. People who express controlling opinions like these are quite literally bigots, just not in a racial sense. Why should their desire for a chemically pure existence hinder my search for a fulfilling life, even if it does involve drugs. Yes, I am in a "drug induced stupor" but you and many others on this site and in society seem to believe that drug experiences are objective and can be charted. The very nature of drug use defines it as having an inherent relativism and subjectivity. Marijuana does not make me stupid, as another poster claimed it did to him. Rather, it makes me terribly philosophical and focused incredibly on the point at hand.

Just because some may have a negative or at least unfavorable reaction to substances does not require wholesale censuring of the substance and those who use.

Cognitive liberty is necessary.

Answer 1

I don't use drugs and have only tried pot one time and that was enough for me , it made me forget a question before I could finish the whole thing so I wondered why anyone would want to use something that would make you so stupid,
but, it is obvious that the law's won't stop it yet they spend trillions every year to fight it, and they lock up people who use it and they are or would be productive citizens if not for such a stupid law, it seems our so called authorities would get smart and legalize most drugs then tax it that way there would be a two edged sword on savings one on the tax they would receive the next is not having to pay $30.000 dollars each a year to keep these people in prison, that just don't make sense to me, and when some one mentions it is like putting a gun in a child's hand to play with is utterly nonsense, statistics show where drugs are legal less people use them especially young people. and those who want drugs will do what ever they need to do to get them and the are so expensive they have got to rob more or steal more than they would if they were legalized and the dealers would also be out of business, so they would not be tying to get kids hooked on them as they are doing now,

Answer 2

Reasons against making a lot of drugs legal:

1) The government cannot tax, or monitor what is put on the market.
2) It would make the drugs more available to all walks of society.

Reasons for:
1) The government is spending a lot of money trying to control something that is uncontrollable.
2) It has been discovered in some countries that people reduce the usage of certain drugs if they are legal. These people can actually function in society.

In all honesty, I would rather a person smoke pot and drive, than drink and drive...

Answer 3

Chris, you had me on your side, specially about your intelligence, until you started the name calling. An intelligent person does not resort to name calling to win over an argument.

Now, let's look at one thing drugs do to you when compared to a gun...an illegal drug is usually addictive, a gun is not. It costs more to feed a drug habit than it does to own a gun. Chances are that a person under the influence will kill someone with a gun than someone who is not. Get the point?

Hopefuuly when you come out of your drug induced stupor you will realize that it is the wrong way to go.

Answer 4

Love is union. that is as organic because the chemical bonding of two atoms. Any time 2 issues come mutually in union that is an act of love, besides the undeniable fact that tremendous or small. some people do certainly look able to further love than others in a social, emotional, romantic, or non secular experience. i imagine a good number of it has to do with how a lot that human being has been loved. that is plenty more convenient to augment in love even as those who're round you want you.

Answer 5

people will ruin their lives with drugs regardless if they are legal or not because they are self destructive ... and kids start into drugs at an early age for a large part because they are are illegal and its dangerous and exciting ... if its legalized are you gonna run out and buy a pound of coke and quit ur job and sniff all day?

Answer 6

You are right but we should look real close at medical use of marj i have seen cancer pati who could not eat an it really help leave it up to a dr

Answer 7

yes drugs should be cheap and leagle same restictions as alcohol a intoxicant or a intoxicant all the same

Answer 8

im NOT as intelligent as you clearly....what was your question. please define it lol