Legalize it!

Who pays, when you ( or anyone else) become a problem?

We are already subsidizing others' actions and habits that we do not directly benefit from. I do not see how marijuana is different. In fact I do not see the subsidization argument being a valid one with respect to marijuana because, as we've talked about, it's ill health effects are little or nill.

Why some are so adamant to protect civil liberties that cost the lives of many many innocent lives (guns in the wrong hands), yet are willing to sacrifice rights for the name of terrorism.

Why not just make guns illegal. Seems to me like al ot of the same reasoning.

Sorry for going off-topic.

Well boys, the subject has become to fragmented, and polluted to be easly solved by a "correct" answer. That having been said, I respectfully offer NO to the original question.

As you point out, maybe the problem is not the legalization of things and activities that are potentialy harmful, but the tax dollar umbrella ready to catch those that fall?
Remove the $$$, remove the problem????

Wow, that thought could open a whole book of debate!
If the solution was easy, we would have already had one. Until then, I'll get my free weed from my buddy and smoke about once a month and play his PS3! haha

For the guy asking why someone smokes...cause it's so damn relaxing. It melts my stress away to nothing, and even though the affects wear off eventually, the stress does not come back to me.

I know I'm guilty of going off on tangents sometimes, but let's try to stay on topic (even if this thread seems to be almost exhausted).

Why some are so adamant to protect civil liberties that cost the lives of many many innocent lives (guns in the wrong hands), yet are willing to sacrifice rights for the name of terrorism.

Why not just make guns illegal. Seems to me like al ot of the same reasoning.

Sorry for going off-topic.

I personally am willing to sacrifice NO rights. Our govt is F... up and needs HELP. I don't see it coming anytime soon. When we rid ourselves of politicians, and care about something other than $$$$$$, then we will be governed by a government FOR THE PEOPLE!
Note: Smoking dope as of yet, is not a right.

STICK IT TO THE MAN!!!!!!!

Have you ever heard of Jose Padilla (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Padilla_(alleged_terrorist))?

Yes. But it's hard to answer your inferred question here. Cause I do believe we need to detain those that pose a possible threat, but I do not agree with holding someone indefinitely just because of suspicion.

You, a citizen of America (assuming you are a citizen), could be arrested and held without charge by the government for a very long time (perhaps forever), simply if they deem you an "enemy combatant". Due process? Forget about it. The "Patriot Act" (what an ironic name) has given the government the power to perform unconstitutional acts for the sake of fighting terrorism.

Yes, I am a US citizen, born and raised in the Boston area.
I will absolutely agree with your thoughts about that being against your freedoms / rights as an American. However, just like I am OK with the searches at the airport, I am OK with someone being stopped and questioned if they deem the person to be a threat. If it walks like a duck....well you know the saying. Again, I do agree that it can and does go too far. At what point do you say you are no longer protecting the rights of millions to retract the rights of one or a few?

One of my favorite quotes:
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--Benjamin Franklin

That is a great quote.

A problem to myself? I guess that is my problem, and nobody else's.

ab-so-freakin-lutely!

However, let's assume that I do incur costs on the government for harming myself.

How is this even possible? Unless we're talking about jail time, or the judicial system.

So what? I pay taxes. Those taxes should be used for creating an environment in which I am free. Freedom has monetary costs, and that is what our taxes should be used for (at least partially).

I agree.
We as a society need to be taught to be self responsible. I feel like I go through life with no safety net, but there are many people that feel that the government is their safety net. That's not right. Those people will purposely fall into the net because it's the lazy way out.

I think the premise of Ben's quote is regarding a Govt that works. I view much of our Gov't as unworkable

We as a society need to be taught to be self responsible. I feel like I go through life with no safety net, but there are many people that feel that the government is their safety net. That's not right. Those people will purposely fall into the net because it's the lazy way out.
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We SHOULD be taught to be self-responsible, but we are not. that's the point. That won't happen as long as the govt is willing to catch you when you fall