Pubdate: Thu, 21 Sep 2000
Source: Bisbee Observer (AZ)
Copyright: 2000 by Laura Swan
Contact:  7 Bisbee Rd., Suite L, Bisbee, AZ 85603
Fax: (520) 432-4192
Website: http://www.theriver.com/bisbeeobserver/
Author: Nancy Weaver
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1358/a06.html

DRUG LAWS PROTECT SPECIAL INTERESTS

To the Editor:

Let's hear it for Ellis Heckman, who points out what anybody who's been
paying attention already knows: if you want political action in this
country you're going to have to pay for it. Look at the statistics -
(http://www.opensecrets.org) - and it becomes woefully apparent that
moneyed interests run the show, not the people of, by and for whom the
government is supposed to be.

Who do our drug laws really protect? The tobacco and alcohol industries
(ever try to find out the nutritional content of a beer?), the prison and
criminal justice industries (don't we always "need" more law enforcement
and lawyers?), and most unsettling of all, the drug lords who are enjoying
virtually undisturbed progress and profits.

And with so many industries involved there's little hope for the mere
citizens of ever seeing laws the reflect their wishes, needs and desires.
What we need are a few good politicians whom money can't buy.

NANCY WEAVER
Bisbee
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MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst