Pubdate: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 Source: Macon Telegraph (GA) Copyright: 2002 The Macon Telegraph Publishing Company Contact: http://www.macontelegraph.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/667 Author: David Corr LEGALIZE THESE CRIMES Recently Macon police veterans James Smith and Sonny Tate were arrested on drug and prostitution solicitation charges, respectively. In addition, Peach Tax Commissioner Dwight Byrd was arrested on felony drug charges. Corruption of law enforcement is a major casualty of the war on drugs. Loss of civil liberties is another casualty of the insane war on drugs and prostitution. We spend billions of dollars to fight an unwinnable war on these activities which harm nobody but arguably those who engage in them. If we legalized drugs and prostitution, violent crimes would decrease 50 percent overnight. This would make our neighborhoods safer and promote family values. If we legalized prostitution and put it in the hands of legal brothel owners, prices would drop substantially and street prostitution would virtually disappear. Same with drug re-legalization. The Libertarian Party knows this. Why don't the Democrats and Republicans? Could it be they enjoy spending billions of your tax dollars in a futile attempt to impose their version of goodness, thereby increasing crime and destroying lives and disrupting families in the process? David Corr Macon - --- MAP posted-by: Beth