R. W. Bradford's suggestion that Libertarians tackle drug legalization
("An Opportunity for the Libertarian Party," December) as a wedge
issue in the upcoming presidential follies is a welcome approach.
Largely because it is about damn time.

This Drug War, fomented by the Demopublicans and the Republicrats, is
costing far more than money (although plenty of that for sure). We are
losing our constitution and the voters necessary to maintain that
document. The crimes of the drug war are costing many lives. Our
police are now armed and trained by the military, leaving us on the
verge of becoming a police state. The Mexican Border is the new Berlin
Wall. Illegal drugs are creating gargantuan, tax-free profits for the
world's criminal lords. The enforcers of the laws against drugs have
become thugs.

There is no doubt in my mind that your quest is needed and that it may
succeed. And, like the slavery issue, unless dealt with it may rent
the fabric of our flag by creating a new civil war. Please continue on
a course that has great promise for our future.

Allan Erickson,
Eugene, Ore