Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jan 2004
Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2004 The Pensacola News Journal
Contact:  http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675
Author: Zac Arnold

INEFFECTUAL LAWS

In response to those who have criticized lately the libertarian philosophy 
on legalized and/or decriminalized drug use, let me share some thoughts. 
Put aside for the moment that alcohol and tobacco, two "legal" drugs, cause 
more deaths than cocaine, marijuana and just about every other drug used 
regularly in the United States.

Let's instead focus on the fact that as I sit here writing this letter, I 
do so in my body. Yup, my body. Not yours, not anybody else's, but mine. If 
I choose to sleep all day and not go to work, that's my right, though the 
consequence may be that I become unemployed. If I choose to do anything, 
malevolent or benign, I must accept the consequences of those actions.

Also, how many letters must I write before people begin to realize that 
laws that are ineffectual need to be discarded or reworked? No one in their 
right mind can claim that Reagan's "War on Drugs" was a success. 
Libertarians merely espouse liberty.

As an adult, it is my job, not that of the government, to be responsible 
for myself.

Zac Arnold

Pensacola
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman