tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post6375717824800721864..comments2023-12-16T05:27:05.041-06:00Comments on mexpatriate — in the key of steve: drug prescriptionsSteve Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00468378507171761868noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-66082631713662640772010-04-13T16:26:13.982-05:002010-04-13T16:26:13.982-05:00Calypso -- I hope you are correct. But there is a...Calypso -- I hope you are correct. But there is a lot of talk about sending advisers to work with the Mexican Army on their street operations.<br /><br />Mexican Trailrunner -- Thanks. I would prefer that the young people would find different jobs. But it is what it is.<br />Babs -- Unfortunately, a number of women and school children have died in the cross fire of the border wars. It is inevitable. Where there are insurgencies, there are civilian deaths. Not to mention the reprisal deaths on the families of police and government officials.<br /><br />1st Mate -- The United States does not have enough boots, will, or chutzpah to control its border, let alone ferret out well-entrenched drug lords. Especially if we decide to turn them into the 21st century versions of Pancho Villas.<br /><br />Leah -- Good point about the entrenched bureaucracy north of the border. Maybe the national interests are closer than we thought -- but not what we thought they would be.<br /><br />ANM -- Without congressional action, California cannot legalize marijuana. Assuming the federal government decides not to enforce the law (a decision for which many congressman will suffer a deadly fate in November), it would be a start. But the drug market will simply shift to other drugs. Of course, California will inevitably see marijuana as a tax cash cow and inflate the price to pre-legalization levels (or higher) and drive it all back underground again. Never underestimate the ability of politicians to take a good idea and turn it into a catastrophe.<br /><br />Anonymous -- I think we can all ask what rational reason there was to put troops (or Peace Corps members or financial aid or whatever) into many places in this poor old world. Rationality is not a prerequisite for governmental action.<br /><br />I am not certain which countries have NO drug problems. Some may have fewer than we do. There are some countries that execute drug users. But I doubt that was your point or your example.<br /><br />As for the meddlesome nature of the United States in the affairs of others -- why do wives insist on telling husbands what to wear?<br /><br />Feel free to rant.<br /><br />Joe -- I was just as amazed. Perhaps on some other planet.Steve Cottonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00468378507171761868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-27309094139903525662010-04-12T18:11:36.818-05:002010-04-12T18:11:36.818-05:00What? Some countries have No Drugs, or No Drug rel...What? Some countries have No Drugs, or No Drug related crimes??Joe S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06199300036689916648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-18917167762316517832010-04-12T12:54:28.182-05:002010-04-12T12:54:28.182-05:00I couldn't have said it better myself. I do ho...I couldn't have said it better myself. I do however think that legalization may worm it's way into being. California is setting a precedent. Historically, where California goes, so goes the nation. It didn't work out so well when the USA followed their lead and elected Reagan president, but maybe it will on this issue. <br />What I find interesting is that Mexico doesn't have a big drug problem itself. And will it change as illegals find their way home again?<br />regards,<br />TheresaTheresa in Mèridahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17217945138741786373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-55247728261679628752010-04-12T10:50:13.308-05:002010-04-12T10:50:13.308-05:00A couple of thoughts:
- Why would the United Stat...A couple of thoughts:<br /><br />- Why would the United States put troops into Mexico? <br />I cannot think of any rational reason.<br /><br />- There ARE countries that have absolutely no drug problems AT ALL but for some reason those countries do not enter into the conversation.<br /><br />- Why is it that the United States seems to feel it must solve the problems in other countries? <br /><br />- ALL industrialized countries have PUBLIC health care and it is very beneficial to drug treatment and prevention. Their solutions involve a certain amount of legalization in that "junkies" are given drugs while under treatment and dealing with their sickness therefore nullifying potential crime.<br /><br />- European nations deal with drug issues and do quite well but they deal with ALL the social issues. (they are related)<br /><br />Sorry for my mini rant Steve but this is how many people on this beautiful little planet feel. We also consider the Stratfo organization just myopic babble paid for to deliver information that will benefit economic interests fo the U.S..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-85103199142818082142010-04-12T10:13:46.856-05:002010-04-12T10:13:46.856-05:00I think marijuana may get legalized in California,...I think marijuana may get legalized in California, only because the state with an economy about the size of France, is about to default, and the Governator will be looking for cost savings wherever he can find them. Ending the war on pot might be a good place to start, ceasing to spend millions on that specific drug enforcement and incarceration.<br /><br />If Kaliforneeah is able to start seeing a tax boon from the pot trade, a number of other states may take notice. The administration will not have to lead in this case, just stay out of the way, which it already appears willing to do.<br /><br />ANMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-4103305712447043402010-04-12T10:11:25.516-05:002010-04-12T10:11:25.516-05:00Also, the status quo has created THOUSANDS of jobs...Also, the status quo has created THOUSANDS of jobs (and entire departments) in the federal government...paid for by taxpayer dollars. What would these people DO if drugs were legalized? The federal government won't change the course it's been on because it benefits them...as does the war on terror. How many laws, wars, fed. jobs and unconstitutional actions have been justified by it? In any normal legal market, the competition keeps the price down and the ruthless criminals see their profits decrease dramatically. As would need for federal enforcement. Although legalization makes sense to me, it will only happen when enough people understand, as you said, basic economics and the extent to which this war effects them. Then it may be politically possible - but how many legislators can you see voting to relinquish federal involvement in ANYTHING, let alone the drug trade? Again, too much is gained on both sides. The citizens are the losers.One Small Vozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04966486789164013039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-57802785196633707602010-04-12T09:34:21.763-05:002010-04-12T09:34:21.763-05:00I agree Option 3, the one with the most potential ...I agree Option 3, the one with the most potential for success, is the most impossible to bring about. If they resort to Option 4, I guess that will mean you and I and the rest of us ex-pats will have to evacuate, or risk becoming hostages to an insane "police action." And what then? Will American boots have to trample all of Central and South America? Do we have that many boots?1st Matehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05276608080436409432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-57132295935721495512010-04-12T09:04:53.592-05:002010-04-12T09:04:53.592-05:00I may be wrong, but I think very few "innocen...I may be wrong, but I think very few "innocent" people have died at the hands of the drug cartels at the border. It appears just like the Mafia in the USA, they are executing each other for control. Hopefully.Babshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609157345912932083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-71268487168535195472010-04-12T08:42:53.953-05:002010-04-12T08:42:53.953-05:00Steve, this is a very thoughtful and well-organize...Steve, this is a very thoughtful and well-organized essay. I totally concur. <br />Coupled with the fact that in MX few companies are hiring young people or offering opportunities for income - except the cartels.<br />Good job, good writing.- Mexican Trailrunnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05987460497945211699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-29672286282036191532010-04-12T07:12:44.597-05:002010-04-12T07:12:44.597-05:00I don't see the United States sending soldiers...I don't see the United States sending soldiers into Mexico. Here they would never stand for that. The idea is ludicrous.Calypsohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705486544074674388noreply@blogger.com