Pubdate: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 Source: Post-Bulletin (Rochester, MN) Copyright: 2010 Maurice Mulholland Contact: http://www.postbulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1342 Author: Maurice Mulholland TO KILL THE DRUG CARTELS, LEGALIZE DRUGS Marilyn Rhodes Aug. 11 letter dealing with violence in Mexico suggested giving them more help in dealing with the drug war. There are some facts we should consider: 1. The Mexican drug cartels operate in more than 2,500 cities in the U.S. 2. The U.S. joint forces command has warned that the Mexican government could experience "A rapid and sudden collapse" due to the drug cartel violence. There have been 28,000 people killed by the cartels since 2006. 3. The drug cartel is better armed than the government and are levying taxes in the Mexican states adjacent to Texas. 4. Our own freedoms are eroding because of the drug war here in our country. We MUST demonetize the illegal drug trade. Money is the only motive for risking one's life. Money is why drugs are being pushed in our schools on our children in 4th and 5th grades. We worry about our children and our safety but refuse to do the one thing that would kill the drug cartels -- legalize the use of the drugs. Use education to scare young people as to the results of drug abuse. Do not pay the medical cost of drug abuse. Anything less will be a losing battle and we will become a county with no freedoms. Maurice Mulholland Rochester - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake