tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577690134737013547.post3859936083641065523..comments2023-09-13T07:34:30.096-05:00Comments on Uncle Sam's Tavern: Just Doodlin'April Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05418923233650050095noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577690134737013547.post-83053255939099862872009-05-29T12:33:04.678-05:002009-05-29T12:33:04.678-05:00Strip away the usual moral objections to marijuana...Strip away the usual moral objections to marijuana, or other drugs, and you end up with the oft-proved fact that you cannot legislate morality.<br /><br />While I am bitterly opposed to the drug spawned violence on our border, I'm not sure that taxing, alone, is reason enough to legalize drugs.<br /><br />Legality, meaning permitted (or at least, not forbidden) by law, should be as suggested by Ayn Rand: You have a right to do anything that does<br />not infringe upon the rights of your fellow citizens. Legalize all drugs and let competetive entrepreneurs determine the price. Violence gone!<br /><br />If someone who makes, sells, buys or uses the drug infringes on someone else's rights, throw the book at them. (As we occasionally do with drunk drivers.)<br /><br />But, if we eliminate "sin taxes", where do we get the money to run the government? Again I look to Ayn Rand, who suggested voluntary taxes. Pay for desired government services. You want court protection for a business contract? Pay a fee for that protection. Drive a car? Pay a fee for road maintenance (which we already do).<br /><br />If, as Colin Powell suggests, people want more government services, let them pay for them. That should be a huge source of revenue. (And think of all the money we save when we abolish the massive "war on drugs"!)Sam Bradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03315945099379253933noreply@blogger.com