Mexico's Drug Problem is the U.S.

So I read today how many drug-related deaths happened last year in Mexico: a death every half-hour. Talk about depressing. In addition to the deaths, the cartels continue to cause other problems like keeping children dependent on their drugs so they’ll work for them. I’m sure you can use your imagination to determine that death isn’t always the worst that can happen when you’re working with the cartels. But I’m not posting to advocate vigilantism against the cartels. But I am suggesting that a real contributor to the problem is America.

America is the world's largest consumer of illegal drugs. Just read the comments section below any news article about border security and you’ll find that one of the top-voted comments is about the legalization of marijuana in the U.S. And any time an illegal marijuana operation is shut down, people complain that it should be legalized. I would argue that most supporters of the legalization and regulation of (any) drugs are users. I’m sure there are those that have philosophical arguments for it (like those who want the tax money), but let’s not be naïve.

This is typical of America. When you feel like the government’s wrong, take matters into your own hands. When the U.S. prohibited the sale of alcohol, look how Americans responded. Did they stay dry while protesting and working to repeal the law? Over half a million arrests were made from 1919-1929.

The same is happening now. Americans are buying illegal drugs from Mexico because they believe that the law is wrong and they are entitled to whatever makes them happy. Really? With that philosophy we should just let everyone out of jail. Illegal drugs are used for recreation—you don’t need them! If you were starving and your only way to get food was illegally at least I’d understand. Is your recreational activity worth thousands of deaths and several thousand more enslaved?

My argument is not whether or not the drugs should be legalized. My argument is that it isn’t worth it. The price in human lives isn’t worth your entertainment. And I’m sorry you think it is. Continue to protest and argue. Hire an attorney. But don’t support an industry that supports itself this way. It’s really un-American, and certainly inhumane.

Appened 2/3/2012:
Cross-border methamphetamine trade booms amid Mexico's 'war on drugs'
http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/03/10307672-cross-border-methamphetamine-trade-booms-amid-mexicos-war-on-drugs