Pubdate: Fri, 26 Mar 1999
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Section: Letters to the Editor
Copyright: 1999, The Tribune Co.
Contact:  http://www.tampatrib.com/
Forum: http://tampabayonline.net/interact/welcome.htm
Author: Sean Taylor

THERE IS NO WAR ON DRUGS

Regarding the two articles on the Commentary page concerning the
so-called war on drugs (March 19): Both raise some important issues,
but even taken together, they barely begin to reveal the enormous
destruction wrought by this American tragedy.

First of all, there is no war on drugs; drugs are not being
brutalized, drugs are not having their hard-earned property stolen,
and drugs are not having their doors kicked in so that they may be
hauled away by a gaggle of unfeeling thugs. This is a war on people -
American people - perhaps someone you care about.

Furthermore, we tend to talk about the cost of fighting this war, but
we forget that our cost is someone else's revenue and, in this case,
that ``someone else'' is Big Government. Not only has the American
government declared war on its own people, but it is robbing its
victims through taxation to finance its savage depredations.

I love my country, but I abhor my government.

- - SEAN TAYLOR Lutz
- ---
MAP posted-by: Patrick Henry