A LESSON WORTH RE-LEARNING

Editor, the Gauntlet,

Hilarious to read Andrew Rininsland's column "Legalize By 2010." [Apr.
2 Gauntlet].

I am a 74-year-old American not holding his breath for legalization in
2010. We simply have too far to go.

Consider that decriminalization is being touted as a way to free
police resources to go after "kingpins." We Americans should know
better. Our "noble experiment" to stamp out alcohol in the 1920s was,
in effect, "alcohol decriminalization" because we arrested
bootleggers, but not drinkers. Police resources focused on men like Al
Capone and Roy Olmstead. But it didn't work because we had forgotten
the law of supply and demand: clamping down on supply, while ignoring
demand, increases profit and attracts more violent, reckless men.

Finally, the perception of failure, and a growing disrespect for the
law, persuaded Americans to abandon the noble experiment.

I doubt that Americans will relearn that lesson by
2010.

John Chase

Palm Harbor, FL