This was just published a few days ago.

 

Thanks to the Drug War, the US incarcerates more of its own people than any country in the world except maybe N. Korea | AEIdeas

 

The chart above shows the breakdown of the current federal inmate population by type of offense, according to the most recent data from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. There are currently 90,043 Americans serving time in federal prisons for drug crimes, which is by far the No. 1 offense that results in a federal jail sentence (see chart). Drug offenders make up almost half (47.1%) of our federal inmate population of 218,171, and that helps explain why the US retains its status as the World’s No.1 Jailer with a prison population of 713 per 100,000 population, more than even any of the world’s most notorious and oppressive regimes like Myanmar (120 per 100,000 population), Cuba (510 per 100,000 population), and Iran (333 per 100,000).

If we could beat criminals in the street like they do in those countries we would have less crime to. I would also guess there is less crime due to a much lower tolerance to crime than we have in our society. Would you be willing to give the US police the same powers that the Iranian police have to fight crime. I bet they never worry about the ACLU second guessing them in Iran.

What inconsistency? I agreed with you and just stated that my issue was with the related crimes. I never said not to prosecute drunks or other criminals for the crimes they commit. I said let you and anyone else that wants to get stoned out of their mind do it, they can OD if they want to, free will right. But if you commit a crime under the influence that should be a mitigating factor and you should be prosecuted fully. Prosecution for related crimes needs to be tougher whether it be drugs, alcohol, knives or guns.

 

You've said earlier in the thread that you don't support legalization of drugs, and the main reason you (I believe) and others have given is because of the crimes committed while under the influence of them. I'm just pointing out that crimes are committed under the influence of legal products all the time, so should we make them illegal too? I really don't see any reason to think the number of those crimes committed by drug users will increase if they're made legal.

You've said earlier in the thread that you don't support legalization of drugs, and the main reason you (I believe) and others have given is because of the crimes committed while under the influence of them. I'm just pointing out that crimes are committed under the influence of legal products all the time, so should we make them illegal too? I really don't see any reason to think the number of those crimes committed by drug users will increase if they're made legal.

I did say that but then I also agreed with your post earlier. I don't think it is in the best interest of our country to do so, but I also don't think possession by stoners is the problem either. I think we are closer on this than you think. Get high, I don't care...but if while high, you infringe upon me or others be prepared to face the consequences. Just as if you get drunk, or carry a gun...do it, but don't expect a pass if you do something stupid.

 

Do you really have no other ideas than to turn to legalization? There is no other out of the box idea to fix the drug problem in America?

If we could beat criminals in the street like they do in those countries we would have less crime to. I would also guess there is less crime due to a much lower tolerance to crime than we have in our society. Would you be willing to give the US police the same powers that the Iranian police have to fight crime. I bet they never worry about the ACLU second guessing them in Iran.

 

Those figures don't say those countries have less crime. Those figures are the number of inmates per capita for each country, and the US has the highest rate in the world almost entirely due to drug laws. The author tries to use a bit of shock factor by pointing out that even the most oppressive regimes incarcerate less of their citizens per capita.

 

If you believe that the incarceration rates for those countries are less than in the United States (716/100,000) because they are so oppressive and the people don't step out of line, then how do you explain countries like the Netherlands (82/100,000), Germany (80/100,000), Sweden (67/100,000), etc.?

 

If we define crime as being what each government deems unlawful, then why is an ostensibly free country like the United States more than doubling the incarceration rates of authoritarian regimes when it's ostensibly free peers (Western Europe, Japan, Australia) have a fraction of the incarceration rates of the United States or authoritarian governments?

 

Do you really have no other ideas than to turn to legalization? There is no other out of the box idea to fix the drug problem in America?

 

No, because there is zero chance that the drug problem is going to go away, regardless of what laws or steps are taken.

 

Instead of wasting billions of dollars on futile attempts to fight it, why don't we (as a country) make a mint off it, and potentially reduce the amount of violent crime or gang-related activity in the process?

I did say that but then I also agreed with your post earlier. I don't think it is in the best interest of our country to do so, but I also don't think possession by stoners is the problem either. I think we are closer on this than you think. Get high, I don't care...but if while high, you infringe upon me or others be prepared to face the consequences. Just as if you get drunk, or carry a gun...do it, but don't expect a pass if you do something stupid.

 

Do you really have no other ideas than to turn to legalization? There is no other out of the box idea to fix the drug problem in America?

That will remain illegal. With that said do you have any actual opposition to legalizing drugs?

Those figures don't say those countries have less crime. Those figures are the number of inmates per capita for each country, and the US has the highest rate in the world almost entirely due to drug laws. The author tries to use a bit of shock factor by pointing out that even the most oppressive regimes incarcerate less of their citizens per capita.

 

If you believe that the incarceration rates for those countries are less than in the United States (716/100,000) because they are so oppressive and the people don't step out of line, then how do you explain countries like the Netherlands (82/100,000), Germany (80/100,000), Sweden (67/100,000), etc.?

 

If we define crime as being what each government deems unlawful, then why is an ostensibly free country like the United States more than doubling the incarceration rates of authoritarian regimes when it's ostensibly free peers (Western Europe, Japan, Australia) have a fraction of the incarceration rates of the United States or authoritarian governments?

In a word Poverty...Incarceration in THIS country has a direct correlation to poverty.

 

Before anyone goes Ape Stuff on me I'm not saying that only poor people commit crimes at all. But if you look at the majority of people in prison there is a correlation.

That will remain illegal. With that said do you have any actual opposition to legalizing drugs?

 

Yeah I don't see the benefit of drugs (or alcohol or tobacco for that matter). Taking criminality out of it I just don't see the point of doing drugs. We as a society are so over medicated we think that there must be a pill to fix all of our problems. Why does everybody need some kind of artificial stimulus to make them feel better. Are we so weak minded that we can't find enough joy in life without getting high or stoned.

 

So yeah I'm against it because I think we are better than that and should be able to over come this plight on our society.

In a word Poverty...Incarceration in THIS country has a direct correlation to poverty.

 

Before anyone goes Ape Stuff on me I'm not saying that only poor people commit crimes at all. But if you look at the majority of people in prison there is a correlation.

 

I think that's true, but does the United States have higher poverty rates than its OECD peers commensurate with its incarceration rates?

 

A related question: Is sending more people to prison over drug crimes contributing to or alleviating cycles of poverty in this country?

No, because there is zero chance that the drug problem is going to go away, regardless of what laws or steps are taken.

 

Instead of wasting billions of dollars on futile attempts to fight it, why don't we (as a country) make a mint off it, and potentially reduce the amount of violent crime or gang-related activity in the process?

Gangs will just move on to another crime, they aren't going to go get a job at Walmart and become law-abiding citizens just because there are now legal drugs available.

Yeah I don't see the benefit of drugs (or alcohol or tobacco for that matter). Taking criminality out of it I just don't see the point of doing drugs. We as a society are so over medicated we think that there must be a pill to fix all of our problems. Why does everybody need some kind of artificial stimulus to make them feel better. Are we so weak minded that we can't find enough joy in life without getting high or stoned.

 

So yeah I'm against it because I think we are better than that and should be able to over come this plight on our society.

 

So no reason for soft drinks or artificial flavoring, or anything that isn't naturally produced?

I think that's true, but does the United States have higher poverty rates than its OECD peers commensurate with its incarceration rates?

 

A related question: Is sending more people to prison over drug crimes contributing to or alleviating cycles of poverty in this country?

I don't know, but Poverty and the ease of availability of drugs are tow leading factors of crime in THIS country.

 

As far as the second question: If they are in prison for trafficking drugs and dealing drugs, who cares...let them rot. Not a lot of people in prison because they got pulled over with a joint behind their ear. Biggest myth is that the prisons are full of good ole boys that got caught with a couple of pills or a bag of weed, that just isn't the case.

So no reason for soft drinks or artificial flavoring, or anything that isn't naturally produced?

Really that's your question? Your comparing buttering your popcorn to heroine?

 

Answer my question, Why do you NEED to get high?

Yeah I don't see the benefit of drugs (or alcohol or tobacco for that matter). Taking criminality out of it I just don't see the point of doing drugs. We as a society are so over medicated we think that there must be a pill to fix all of our problems. Why does everybody need some kind of artificial stimulus to make them feel better. Are we so weak minded that we can't find enough joy in life without getting high or stoned.

 

So yeah I'm against it because I think we are better than that and should be able to over come this plight on our society.

 

As to the bolded, really?? I mean I don't do drugs, wouldn't if they were legal, but that's your reasoning to why it should be illegal? I don't see the point in youth football. Let's make a law banning it too.

As to the bolded, really?? I mean I don't do drugs, wouldn't if they were legal, but that's your reasoning to why it should be illegal? I don't see the point in youth football. Let's make a law banning it too.

 

Youth Football = Crack Cocaine?