One of the biggest problems facing our country, and Maryland’s 4th Congressional District, is the rising crime rate. As of 2006, there were 2,258,987 people being held in prison in America, up 2.9% from the previous year[1]. In other words, roughly 1 in every 140 U.S. residents is in prison[2]. Not surprisingly, significant portions of those in prison are there as a result of drug-related crime. In light of today’s failing economy, these numbers have devastating side affects. First off, the amount of money spent on criminal justice resources, close to $8 billion a year, is desperately needed for more beneficial investments, such as finding alternative fuels to reduce dependency on foreign oil[3]. Additionally, the 2 million people in prison are 2 million people who could be added into America’s workforce, purchasing goods, helping to drive our country’s economy.
This is a serious problem that, if elected, Dr. Michael Babula will fight to solve. In order to reduce violent, drug-related crime, Dr. Babula will push for the legalization of drugs. While seemingly controversial, in the long run, legalizing drugs will have many positive effects for our country and its economy. The supply of drugs will increase substantially, with only a minimal rise in demand, as very few people would become users. As a result, the price of drugs would fall substantially, making them more available to users, who would in turn be less likely to steal and kill out of desperation for the drugs. This is not to say, however, that the government would be promoting drug use. A standard, uniform tax could be put on the drugs, from which money would be used to promote rehabilitation facilities and programs to help get addicts back into society and the workforce. Also, as Dr. Babula points out in his website www.babula2008.com, because of the higher supply and decreased demand, drugs would become much less potent and deadly.
On a similar topic, Dr. Babula’s opponent, incumbent Albert Wynn, says on his website that he will “continue to focus on reducing the number of repeat offenders”1. However, he also supported the Gang Deterrence and Prevention Bill, which “increase penalties for gang activity”1. If penalties are increased, and felons are kept in jail for longer periods of time, it makes it much harder for them to find jobs and acclimate with society again. Thus, they will often see their highest incentive in the money from illegal drug trade, causing them to become repeat offenders. In other words, Wynn’s policies contradict themselves. As Dr. Babula points out, with legalized drugs, there will be little to no economic benefit in drug trade, thus decreasing offenses.
If elected to congress, Dr. Michael Babula will fight to bring about these changes, for a better economy, and a better America.
7 comments:
Even though a lot of this mades sense, I really don't believe it's politically possible to legalize drugs. There may be benefits in the long run, but the immediate consequences could be severe. There are millions of people across the country addicted to drugs already, and legalizing many of these drugs would just feed their habit, rather than reduce the the amount of drug users.
I feel that if Dr. Babula is able to pull off all that he plans to with legalizing drugs the financial benefits would be extremely helpful to our economy. However, I think that legalizing drugs may lead to more bad than good. Drug deals and users are corrupt criminals who need more help than jobs and money to turn their lives around. Therefor, legalizing drugs would most likely serve to make their habit easier and legal therefor increasing the population of drug users and dealers across the board.
Many of the arguments posed seemed logical in theory, but I do not feel bringing drugs to the mainstream would have a positive effect. The ability to tax the drugs would indeed be helpful to the economy but it would not be worth the negatives that would accompany the legalization of drugs. I also find it hard to believe that a lot of new users would enter the drug market. Perhaps the thing to do would be to progressively legalize drugs, starting with marajuana and seeing if it works first.
Marijuana was decriminalized in England, and since then, usage of Marijuana has declined significantly. Crime rates with regard to marijuana sales have also significantly declined in the United Kingdom. The drug user knows what they are doing is wrong. Should we put the ban back on alcohol? Should we ban fast food? It’s obvious that legalization would work. It works in Europe. It would work here.
After taking an academic course on the social and political history of drugs and alcohol in america, I find this debate very interesting. I agree with most of the other posts that the immediate affects of legalization could be catastrophic. However, I think that sometimes we need to take a step back in order to take two steps forward. If planned correctly, legalization could direct money to other more worthy causes- including treatment for addicts. Ultimately, drug use would be safer and less prominent and the government would be given an opportunity to collect taxes.
Legalizing some drugs makes sense as far as the decreasing economy is concerned. Money does need to be put back into our economy but i think that legalizing all drugs is not the answer. Legalizing drugs seems to be a short term solution to the pending economic crisis. Yes, it would allow the government a certain amount of tax money, but it would also justify the actions of these criminals and allow them to move into the open. Just because their business has all of a sudden become legal doesn't mean that their violent habits are just going to disappear. Those issues must be dealt with by looking at the quality of our public education systems. And if it's money thats the driving motivation for legalizing drugs i think we all know a much larger reason for our government hemorrhaging money and resources (Iraq and afghanistan sound familiar?). While Dr. Babula's plan sounds ambitious i don't believe that it is feasible.
I agree with the points laid out by Matt. The legalization of drugs would starkly improve our countries crime rate by taking money out of the hands of illegal cartels. I also believe drugs would not be nearly as potent as they are now if they became legal on the free market.
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