-Caveat Lector- > > Libertarians agree with George W. Bush: > Drug use should be a "private" matter > > WASHINGTON, DC -- Here's how to end the controversy over > Governor George W. Bush's alleged cocaine use: Simply give every > suspected drug user the same right to "privacy" the GOP presidential > front-runner demands, the Libertarian Party suggested today. > > "Let's treat every American like a presidential candidate: If > you've ever used drugs, you shouldn't have to answer questions about > it -- especially if doing so would invade your privacy, or if you now > consider previous drug use a mistake," proposed Steve Dasbach, the > party's national director. > > "Not only would such a don't-ask/don't-tell policy save the > $17 > billion the federal government currently spends on Drug Prohibition, > but it would also let hundreds of thousands of non-violent drug > offenders out of prison so they could lead productive lives -- and > maybe even run for president themselves as hypocritical Republicans." > > Over the past week, controversy has escalated over Bush's > persistent sidestepping of the "did-he-or-didn't-he?" question about > alleged cocaine use. While first refusing to answer the question, Bush > later claimed he hadn't used any illegal drugs in seven, then 15, then > 25 years. > > "I'm going to tell people I made mistakes and that I have > learned from my mistakes," said Bush in Columbus, Ohio. > > Interestingly, a number of Republicans who are otherwise > enthusiastic supporters of the War on Drugs agreed that cocaine use -- > by the millionaire sons of past GOP presidents, at least -- is no big > deal. > > For example, Elizabeth Dole said drug use was a "personal" > matter, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ), said people deserve "privacy" > on the issue. > > For once, Libertarians -- who have argued for years that Drug > Prohibition causes crime, threatens civil liberties, leads to police > and judicial corruption, and acts as a "price support system" for > criminals -- agree with the Republicans. > > "If we treated drug abuse as a personal, private problem -- > rather than a criminal issue -- we'd be a lot better off as a nation," > said Dasbach. "Instead of being thrown into jail, people would have > the option to seek counseling or medical help, or simply mature to the > point where drug or alcohol abuse was no longer part of their > lifestyle, as Governor Bush seems to have done." > > In fact, the only Republican who appears to disagree with > George W. Bush's claim that drug use should be a private issue > is...George W. Bush. As Texas governor, Bush signed a law that > toughened penalties for people convicted of possessing less than a > gram of cocaine. > > Which leads to another Libertarian proposal, said Dasbach: > Before politicians are allowed to vote on any Drug War legislation, > they should agree to be subjected to the same criminal penalties they > would impose on others. > > "It's quite simple: If Bush genuinely believes that people who > use cocaine belong in prison -- and if he has personally used cocaine > -- he should go to prison," said Dasbach. > > "Yes, our prisons are overcrowded because of the 1.5 million > people arrested on drug charges every year...but there's always room > for one more hypocritical politician who believes that what's good > enough for presidential candidates isn't good enough for ordinary > Americans." > > Kathleen "If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free." - P. J. O'Rourke (1993) DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
