Pubdate: Wed, 26 Sep 2001
Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL)
Copyright: 2001sPeoria Journal Star
Contact:  http://pjstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338
Author: Greg James

STOP UNWINNABLE, ILLOGICAL WAR ON DRUGS

First let me qualify this letter by saying drug-free is best. But in 
response to recent shootings, including the tragic death of a Peoria police 
officer, I have to ask how long we as a nation are going to continue to 
fight an unwinnable and illogical war on drugs.

We are supposed to govern according to the Constitution, and the 
Declaration of Independence says we have the right to life, liberty and the 
pursuit of happiness (as long as we are not infringing on another's right 
to the same). It doesn't say unless the government says differently. So 
using drugs other than cigarettes and alcohol should not even be a legal issue.

I don't care enough about which drugs people use to put myself and my 
family at risk of catching stray bullets, or asking the police to do the 
same. I also don't want to be put at risk of being robbed by addicts trying 
to support their habits, which are inflated due to the drug war. Alcohol is 
cheap because it is legal and run by legitimate businesses, not gangs.

The Journal Star says those who want more security should be prepared to 
pay the bills. They should have said those who wish to wage a war on drugs 
and liberty should be prepared to pay. This once again shows the unfairness 
of taxation. One should no more have to pay for the war on drugs if they 
don't believe in it than paying for someone else to have an abortion.

Call your congressman.

Greg James, Dunlap
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MAP posted-by: Jackl