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| quote: | Originally posted by EddieZilker
I'd submit having drugs legalized, or decriminalized, would change the drug economy in such a way that the cartels would be obviated. It is the "war on drugs" which has created the economic conditions which cartels thrive under. Without such conditions, the cartels are missing a key ingredient for their industry.
As it is, the United States is the largest market for drugs. Decriminalizing the growth and distribution of Marijuana, alone, would compromise a fairly significant portion of market-share currently held by cartels. I don't agree that one country's unilateral decriminalization is going to have any negative impact, so far as how cartels escalate their use of violence. |
So you actually think a country such as the US can decriminalize a drug and such modification would not have a negative impact on other countries? What do you think would come of it? Not specifically on cartels but on societies and foreign governments.
| quote: | | Yes and no, on this. I think it's wrong-headed to downplay the significance of the War on Drugs, as it relates to the economies of countries the drugs are sourced from. If anything, Napolitano, when she said what she said, was reifying the current economic dynamics. It should also be said that drug cartels have little vested interest in upsetting that status quo. |
You underestimate the intentions of drug cartels, especially in Mexico where there are more groups battling against each other and with the government to increase their power. Surely they are not happy with their current situation seeing some of their strongest leaders captured or killed and resorting to kidnappings and killings of important people in government. They are also making a statement and want to have a bigger influence.
| quote: | | Partly true. Leaving out the "elite" part, this claim, whether you wanted it to be, or not, is directed at me since I am definitely not involved politically but also have no issues with drugs beyond the fact that I am a huge fan of marijuana - and it's been a few years since I've partook. I do, however, pay more attention to this issue than your average bear so I'll attempt to inform this. |
It wasn't intentional. That statement is because I have encountered many in my life that have presented such claims when they were openly apolitical. Although there may be some that would argue that doing nothing is a political statement itself, it becomes almost laughable when they present a behavior that doesn't present an awareness of a big international problem which is in some way connected to them.
| quote: | | You also have to consider that all of the policies of the United States Government are essentially designed to be hard to reverse. This feature, in conjunction with the fact that industries and personal incomes associated with U.S. drug and immigration policy (the privatization of illegal alien detention centers, for instance) retards most people's ability to address a reversal of them. It's very easy to say that no one in a position to care actually cares enough to do anything. In terms of practicality, nothing could be further from the truth; particularly when you consider your rather astute observations about the climate of political discourse in our country. |
Aren't all policies in other countries designed this way as well? I do know of the power lobbyists have. It is detrimental.
It's all about a lack of awareness or interest, not just from users in the US but all over the world--not an interest to act on it necessarily. As said in the other post, it is a complex issue. But users themselves have a responsibility not only because they are part of the problem but many also later become victims of it.
Talking further about the battle against organized crime, because even the Obama administration doesn't want to call it War on Drugs, Felipe Calderon made the mistake of not creating a clear plan to eradicate the cartels--as if it were possible. The Merida Initiative was poor. The corruption of officials and military is also a factor.
Since the beginning of this battle at the end of 2006, 34,000 lives have been lost in Mexico alone. In Michoacan La Familia is becoming a part of society. Some don't want the military there as they see better not to mess with La Familia because many are now in some way connected with them.
If you look at the routes in the map Lira posted, you will see that everything is going north to the US. So as consumers, educated or not, they have a higher responsibility to become aware of the situation. Anyone living in Mexico knows of endless stories about narcs and their spreading all over the country for more power. There are untouchables who are feared and respected in some regions. Random shootings start anywhere. There is no security. That was what Napolitano was referring to; she is content with the current situation in her country because it is better than that of Mexico. That is why she made the statement I quoted; such statement obviously carries a different meaning for different people. For example, the government of Mexico can take it as a message that implies that it is not doing its job but the neighboring country is happy that it isn't their country that has such situation.
More lives will be lost because of this endless battle. Calderon has two more years in the presidency. The way of life of the narcs is becoming each day more attractive to young people. It is not always because of economic hardships, it is also because young impressionable people become attracted to a lifestyle of easy money, power and luxury. It can also be because some people are forced into it, like some mayors. Even flight attendants in Mexico were smuggling drugs to Spain. I don't know their story yet but I'm pretty sure their excuses are going to fly with me.
COR mini-summary: If you use, you're part of the problem, more so if you create a barrier between the bigger problem and yourself.
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), decriminalized drugs and saw dramatic improvement, in every category, from teen use to lifetime usage. Users didn't have to hide their use and could get help controlling or eliminating it, altogether.
