I am not an economist, and I will not pretend to be one. I am not political. I am, however, an American citizen, a war veteran, a college student, a husband, and a father. I believe in the American Dream, yet I'm living the American Nightmare.
I see greed and corruption all around me. I don't trust our two-party system, and I don't believe that capitalism is in the country's best interests. I don't believe that the country has the country's best interests at heart.
There are things that this country can do to create jobs, create tax revenue, and reduce spending in other areas. The two suggestions I propose are not popular with the Powers that Be, the religious extremists, or the people who benefit by not having these options in place, but there is considerable support among the general populace.
LEGALIZE CANNABIS
I have not, nor would I choose to, smoked cannabis. I've never smoked anything in my life. I do believe in the rights of other people to use this drug. It does less damage to the body than tobacco or alcohol. If it was legalized it would create jobs, it would be taxed and regulated, and it would put dangerous criminals out of business. I do, however, believe that the costs for driving under the influence (for cannabis or alcohol) should be much, much steeper. The only way to get some Americans to listen is to hit them in the wallet.
According to DrugSense.org, "The U.S. federal government spent over $15 billion dollars in 2010 on the War on Drugs, at a rate of about $500 per second." The War on Drugs is not one that the US government can win, not the way that they're going now. The costs of fighting drugs, incarcerating criminals, and so on are too high, and that is money that could be put to better use.
Legalizing cannabis would not lead to the decline of our great nation. It is legal in other countries, and is just as detrimental as alcohol. I am also not advocating the legalization of all controlled substances. Only cannabis. Legalization would put petty drug dealers out of business. It would create an entire industry of jobs, including growing, harvesting, shipping, manufacturing, sales, marketing, and distribution. I could be regulated for safety and quality (more jobs!) and taxed.
LEGALIZE PROSTITUTION
This is another suggestion that rankles religious extremists, conservatives, and people who don't understand. This is no less demeaning to a woman than stripping (which actually puts the stripper in a position of power). This is a way that people who are struggling can earn a living. It will actually reduce STDs, as prostitutes must be checked regularly. It will also get prostitutes off of the street and out from under pimps. You make this a job like any other, where it is regulated, where there standards and policies, and it can be clean. It can be taxed. It will create jobs for those out of work and revenue for the country.
Want some statistics? Here is a fantastic article.
This is just me throwing down some ideas, but it is certainly food for thought. This isn't a question of whether or not you or I would smoke weed or have sex for money, but rather what are the benefits of making it a legal option for others to do so? I am not suggesting you compromise your ideals or morals, but to look at the greater good--pulling America out of a slump. Reduce spending. Reduce crime. Reduce disease. Increase jobs. Increase revenue.
Legalizing cannabis would not lead to the decline of our great nation. It is legal in other countries, and is just as detrimental as alcohol. I am also not advocating the legalization of all controlled substances. Only cannabis. Legalization would put petty drug dealers out of business. It would create an entire industry of jobs, including growing, harvesting, shipping, manufacturing, sales, marketing, and distribution. I could be regulated for safety and quality (more jobs!) and taxed.
LEGALIZE PROSTITUTION
This is another suggestion that rankles religious extremists, conservatives, and people who don't understand. This is no less demeaning to a woman than stripping (which actually puts the stripper in a position of power). This is a way that people who are struggling can earn a living. It will actually reduce STDs, as prostitutes must be checked regularly. It will also get prostitutes off of the street and out from under pimps. You make this a job like any other, where it is regulated, where there standards and policies, and it can be clean. It can be taxed. It will create jobs for those out of work and revenue for the country.
Want some statistics? Here is a fantastic article.
This is just me throwing down some ideas, but it is certainly food for thought. This isn't a question of whether or not you or I would smoke weed or have sex for money, but rather what are the benefits of making it a legal option for others to do so? I am not suggesting you compromise your ideals or morals, but to look at the greater good--pulling America out of a slump. Reduce spending. Reduce crime. Reduce disease. Increase jobs. Increase revenue.
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