Conservatives have long been associated with a desire for smaller government, except, and this is a big exception, in the area of personal privacy issues. One of those personal privacy issues is the prohibition and criminalization of drug use and drug addiction. Cultural conservatives have long been associated with the notion of locking up drug offenders and passage of mandatory sentences for drug offenders.
The War on Drugs is not conservative in terms of the power it places in the hands of governmental officials. The War on Drugs has been responsible for governmental abuses and overreaching that makes the Patriot Act pale in comparison. You think that having a librarian calling the FBI about what books you read is bad, imagine having your home seized and sold because the government found some marijuana in your bedroom.
Rush Limbaugh has been a huge defender of the War on Drugs and has been, historically, hard on drug users. Cultural and religious conservatives have been the most vocal in giving him an "Amen" when he would rail on those issues. It was almost like Rush and these moralists never even realized how UN-Conservative the War on Drugs was.
We need fewer laws, not more. The criminal code, with few exceptions, should be reserved for offenses where someone has deprived another person of life, liberty or property. Drug abuse does none of those things. Yes, I know, some talk about the cost to society of drug addiction. That still does not justify using the criminal code to increase governmental power as a nanny. It certainly does not justify using the criminal code to steal the property of individuals.
Perhaps, Rush's current troubles will cause some of these conservatives to rethink their positions on the War on Drugs and the power that a victimless crime gives to an already too powerful government.
3 comments:
Never heard Rush talk about drugs, legal or illegal much..Now I know why..but I still think he is good at what he does and if he did his daily show on these drugs, I say, let him have them...I have had a prescription drug problem..Not knowing I did, until I was almost in seizures from going off it..I feel for Rush,,and hope he gets back at the mike soon..Ans he will be different..count on it.
Drug abuse most certainly can deprive another person of life, liberty and property. Drug abusers have stolen and killed for what they need to attain the drug of their choice.
Having said that, I am for decriminalizing marijuana, and I don't believe a person's property should be confiscated for finding a joint in the glove compartment of their car. However, possessing the harder drugs, and especially selling them, should continue to be a criminal offense.
Lone, Rush Limbaugh's addiction is a symptom of deeper societal problems. The degree to which society is becoming addicted to prescription drug- most notably painkillers and anti-depressants- is fast becoming the illicit drug story of this generation.
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