As of late, both State and Federal politicians (and certain unscrupulous and greedy trial lawyers) have sought to pass laws that prohibit or at least "regulate" our personal habits, (and those that provide us with servicing our appetites) or sue to destroy these industries. These laws and lawsuits include: attacks on "trans fat acids", "unhealthy-fast-food", tobacco, etc. Thanks, but no thanks, I'll choose for myself what I eat or don't eat or what goes into my body.
These laws come as no surprise to those who have seen the pattern of government intervention in both our personal lives and the free market that started around 100 years ago. Laws that prohibit the personal use (or sale) of goods and services (when no one other than the user are affected) are rightfully called "prohibition laws", as labeled by the father of the GOP, Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln once opined, "prohibition laws strike at the very heart of what it means to be a free American in that they seek to legislate a man's (or woman's) appetite and makes crimes out of things that are not inherently crimes". Lincoln would never have supported ANY Federal (or State) prohibition laws such as drug, tobacco, prostitution, gambling, food, etc. It is unfortunate that BOTH Democrats and Republicans seek to keep existing prohibition laws in place (especially Federal laws that violate the 9th and 10th Amendments such as drug laws) and to expand them into new areas. The 10th Amendment grants states (and the people) the rights of criminal law-making and enforcement authority. That's why prostitution, gambling, murder, rape, robbery laws, etc. are usually state laws.
Fortunately, not all is lost, there are some Republicans who are actually fighting for Lincoln's views (against prohibition laws, especially Federal drug and gun prohibition) including: CA State Senator Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks), Former Governor Gary Johnson (R-NM), Rep. Ron Paul (R-Victoria, TX), Rep. Tom Tancredo (R -Littleton, CO), to name a few...
It basically started with prohibiting heroin and cocaine in 1914 (and 1918) at the Federal level (before that we had a "states-rights" system in place, which worked better) by Woodrow Wilson, the blatantly racist Democrat who primarily passed these laws in order to "round-up" minorities. He used false public-safety justifications for these laws when race was his main issue. At that time, it was common for American citizens to drink Coca-cola (which contained cocaine) without any major problems (now that stuff was the "real thing"). Americans also used patent medicines containing opiates, cocaine, etc., again rarely with major problems. Some people had issues, but they largely used drugs indoors and approached treatment facilities and their churches when their use was problematic.
From there, prohibition spread to alcohol, which proved to be an abysmal failure, but at least the Federal Government made it illegal the way the Constitution mandates, which is through a Constitutional Amendment (there has NEVER been a Constitutional Amendment for drugs, firearms, etc., courts have simply "given" the Federal Government the authority to regulate drugs, guns, etc.). It was later repealed in 1933.
After that, (in 1934) we had our first Federal firearms regulations, which required a "tax stamp" to own certain weapons, however the government refused to issue tax stamps (which in effect made the weapons illegal). That false model was used to make marijuana illegal in 1937, under the "closet-racist" FDR. Just like with other drugs, marijuana wasn't a big issue and America's once-thriving "Indian-hemp" industry (as marijuana was traditionally known as), which started during the colonial days was destroyed by legislation.
Hashish, which made it's American debut at the World's Fair in the 1880's (fair-goers used "huka" pipes to smoke it at the booth, I'm sure the food booths appreciated the secondary business) was also included in the act. It too wasn't a public safety issue, but was made one by racist Democrats.
After that, it went to other drugs, then lower level firearms. Finally, we saw the attacks on tobacco. We also saw political and judicial attacks against basic children's toys due to accidents, etc. Now we see food on the list. I have a feeling I know what products are going to be declared regulatable next, however I won't make any predictions out of fear I might tip off the politicians and cause them to happen sooner.
The fact is, prohibition laws are wrong and illegal. We as Americans should no longer tolerate politicians that seek to pass them or those that don't fight to repeal them. The Judicial system should also restrict them when applicable.
No comments:
Post a Comment