ON AMERICA'S DRUG POLICIES

I'm writing about: Josh Powers' thoughtful essay: "An American
Perspective" about our failed war on drugs policies (11-15-04).

I'd like to add that it's unlikely that we will soon see honesty
regarding our drug war policies. Too many people have a vested
financial interest in perpetuating our current policies.

I've been doing some thinking outside the box, so-to-speak, and I've
started to suspect that many, if not most, of the most vocal so-called
"drug warriors" in and out of Congress are perhaps being financially
supported by the drug cartels, to keep the drug cartels in business.

If you were the head of a huge business that made billions of dollars,
would you support politicians who advocated policies that would
essentially put you out of business? The legalization, regulation and
government control of recreational drugs would do that--put the drug
dealers and drug cartels out of business. Or would you support
politicians who advocated policies that will perpetuate your business
and make it even more profitable?

Al Capone, the notorious gangster, made most of his money from alcohol
prohibition. Capone often bragged that he "owned" the city of Chicago.
Obviously, he didn't own all of the city of Chicago; however, he had
most or all of the politicians who ran the city on his payroll.

Al Capone was considered to be a very good businessman, so it's not
unreasonable to suspect that the drug cartels of today are following
his business model.

To understand why a counter-productive policy continues, follow the
money.