Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

September 10, 2008

Mexican President Felipe Calderon is seeking nearly a 40% increase in funding for that nation?s war against narcotics syndicates.

Washington has supported the Mexican government?s campaign with arms and money. Mexico?s drug war has done nothing to reduce the power or profits of the cartels. It has killed thousands of innocent Mexicans, exacerbated the problem of illegal immigration to the U.S., and created a wave of violence that threatens American border communities.

Rather than encouraging an escalation in Mexico?s military conflict, we should attack the cartels where they are most vulnerable ? the inflated, artificial profits they enjoy as a result of drug prohibition.

In practice, the war on drugs has been a price support program for drug syndicates and a public works project for corrupt public officials. Treating narcotics use the same way we treat alcohol consumption would eliminate both the artificial profits in drug commerce, along with much of the incentive for criminal violence.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.