Bottom line is narcotic prohibition effects honest people by constantly eroding their freedom. The dope fiends are barely inconvenienced. Even when sent to jail their drug of choice is still readily available. The National Firearms Act for a comparison only effects everyday people as well. The gangsters distributing illegal drugs get whatever firearms they choose anyway.

https://apnews.com/article/governme...s-crime-6caba27108d05a8b7c1860959d1ae130

need a campaign against opiates and amphetamine that is similar to the anti nicotine campaign. the anti nicotine campaign has been pretty successful. without creating a criminal enterprise.

can do the same thing with prostitution. reduce considerably human trafficking and demand for their services.

i have noticed that more people who use ethanol dont drive intoxicated. i attribute that to the same anti nicotine campaign people. they are convincing ethanol consumers its irresponsible and dangerous.

James,
Yes, there are always two edges to any sword, much like this discussion. My point would be that the sword is always upon us so to say that what others do doesn't effect "me" is a selfish mantra based in falsehoods. Obviously, cause and effect aren't an objective science - unless something is done directly to another - but people in this country, and how they live and how they act, does effect others in this country as a whole. It's called societal norms. Taxation is one case to be made. Legislation, as danny mentions, is certainly another.
That's why we are a country of laws, right? To have a baseline from which to "objectively" deal with all the people in our land.
So, if people want to outlaw trapping, there are laws and they can try. I don't see where saying what other people does to me has much to do with anti-trappers but I do admit that anything in a "civil" (legislated) society is in the soup mix. Maybe that's your interpretation?

Hey, congratulations on completing your course work! Well done! I'm taking two summer courses and am interning as a chaplain at a major children's hospital in San Antonio. I'm learning more and more about people every day.

Blessings!
Mark

If you don't think homeless people can afford drugs, let me tell you how uninformed you are.

Drug addiction fuels phenomenal amounts of violent crimes against persons crime like theft and robbery/murder -prostitution also.Drug crazed people are dangerous.A drunk wino isnt.

You've never known anyone who gets violent when they drink? Never heard of an alcoholic who beats their wife? or Known anyone killed by a drink driver?

Lots of people get violent when they are stupid drunk-but they aint dangerous like a crazed drug addict.
Never heard of a wino eating someones face off.
Some men beat women-drunk or not.Drinking doesnt turn someone into a wife beater.

Beg to differ Boco, was raised with a mom and step dad who were alcoholics, drank it more than water, drunk all the time and nasty fighting each other the whole time, it's really a wonder my brother and I survived to graduate, wouldn't have if it were not for family and neighbors.

Addiction of any kind with chemicals affects the mental condition and not for the good ! We witnessed several times where they would go at each other totally unable to control them selves and beat each other up and any one trying to stop them from doing so.

Chemical intervention is the only way out and it has to come from with in most times from the individual, and some addictions don't give you that much time to decide about help before they kill you, one way or another !!

So if we don't blame the gun when there is a shooting, why would we blame the drug, or bottle, or pill when there is an incident related to them?
As a culture, we like to blame the object, because the philosophy and psychology of reflecting on ourselves as the likely cause, has been hijacked, twisted, turned, contextualized, and cast out as.... well pick a theme. Themes keep changing anyway so pick the one you prefer.

Don't judge.
Not fair.
Disadvantaged.
Disenfranchised.
Bigoted.
Racist.
1,000 more.

Finger pointing is soooooooooooo easy.
Ain't near enough forgiveness and lovin the one anothers going on.
Too many Fonzis looking in their mirrors, lovin what they see and professing that me, myself, and I are #1. Any questions? (then usually alphabet flip offs here)

Okay........I'll listen.

Obesity is a big problem too. The Gubmint probly ought to step in and control how much people eat since they can't make the right personal decisions.

Where's Jerry Garcia when you need him

Almost. I'm 6'4" and a strapping 154#. Wet.

Only with seizures but that's controlled with medication. I'm just naturally slender like my Dad.
My lady says I'm underweight but I'll take that over fat any day.