Pubdate: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 Source: Contra Costa Times (CA) Copyright: 2008 Knight Ridder Contact: http://www.contracostatimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/96 Author: Glenn White DRUG WAR ONE BIG REASON FOR BUDGET DEFICIT The Feb. 29 Times front-page headlined California's deficit aggravated by prison costs. Only foolish hypocrites can now dangerously ignore the savings resulting from ending the costly drug war. Since many drug warriors consume alcohol or tobacco themselves, we know sobriety and addiction aren't reasons for continuing the drug war. Since black market drug trafficking keeps gangsters and terrorists well financed, we know public safety and security aren't reasons for continuing the drug war. Word-of-mouth advertising is the best way to promote merchandise and the drug warriors' own propaganda says their black market uses this method to promote drugs to America's school children; therefore, we know drug prevention isn't a reason for continuing the failed drug war. The drug war's black market incentives increase crime, violence, drug usage, gang affiliation, police corruption and unnecessary prison costs. Politicians, weakened by cronyism, federal funding and pressure from law enforcement unions, fail to act courageously because their narcissistic careers are advanced when transforming the land of the free and the home of the brave into a land of the imprisoned and a home of the submissive by running campaigns based on fear, bigotry and lies. Fiscally responsible Americans limit government, not liberty. Glenn White Dublin - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom