10 March 2010

Liberty vs. Anarchy, or, You Want to Legalize What?!

Glenn Beck recently asserted on his TV show that there are two branches of Libertarians: one that really advocates anarchy, or as close to it as we can get; one that advocates a return to the small, limited government as established by the Constitution. I'd like to suggest that this second branch really represents what I call Constitutional Republicans, like me.

I'm no Bible thumper, and I don't want to turn people off by making this blog sound preachy, but I believe that to follow the Constitution requires people of this nation to have the kind of firm morality that comes from training and practice of Judeo-Christian religion.

The first branch of Libertarianism often puts forth the argument that they should be able to do what they want at home--such as use marijuana--as long as it doesn't hurt anybody else. I submit this article for your consideration.

The main point of the article, in case you didn't read it all the way through, is that young people who have used cannabis longer have a much greater tendency to exhibit psychotic symptoms, or even fully develop psychotic disorders. While this study only covered young people, I think it's likely that it's the length of time of use--rather than beginning age--that is to blame for these ill effects.

So what if these young people now cannot complete a higher education, get a good job, support themselves and a family, and help to create wealth? How does that hurt the rest of society? Oh, and by the way, they won't be able to build up a good retirement savings, so they'll be depending on their children--and yours, and mine--to give them a pension.

So much for anarchy.

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