Friday, March 20, 2009
Two Promising Developments During the Obama Years?
I am pretty pessimistic now about the next 8 years. (Yes I think Obama will be re-elected. FDR had no problem with re-election, and the economy was awful. But he was an amazing orator and could blame it on the previous Republican buffoon. Same today.)
However, I do want to point to two positive trends, amidst the general march toward central planning. First, like FDR with alcohol, I think it is very possible that there will be a serious rollback of the Drug War as the Great Depression II intensifies. The government will be able to save money (from cutting the DEA and releasing all of the nonviolent drug offenders) and even raise new revenues from taxing marijuana and possibly harder drugs if they go that far.
A relaxation of the Drug War is really critical now, because there is going to be so much unrest in big cities during the next few years. If it's ever a good time to stop the flow of billions of dollars into the pockets of violent drug gangs, it's right before the Great Depression II hits, I think.
Second positive trend: Sure it's just talk, but I have to say I'm impressed with how "weak" Obama allowed himself to be in this message to the Iranians. Yeah yeah, of course it was mostly done to impress American voters, but Obama looks like he's the kind of guy who isn't afraid to walk away from a fight. To repeat: I am NOT saying he is fundamentally changing foreign policy. I'm saying that it's big of him to give this message, knowing what the talk radio hosts etc. will do with it, in the same way that I was impressed by Sarah Palin's Saturday Night Live performance.
However, I do want to point to two positive trends, amidst the general march toward central planning. First, like FDR with alcohol, I think it is very possible that there will be a serious rollback of the Drug War as the Great Depression II intensifies. The government will be able to save money (from cutting the DEA and releasing all of the nonviolent drug offenders) and even raise new revenues from taxing marijuana and possibly harder drugs if they go that far.
A relaxation of the Drug War is really critical now, because there is going to be so much unrest in big cities during the next few years. If it's ever a good time to stop the flow of billions of dollars into the pockets of violent drug gangs, it's right before the Great Depression II hits, I think.
Second positive trend: Sure it's just talk, but I have to say I'm impressed with how "weak" Obama allowed himself to be in this message to the Iranians. Yeah yeah, of course it was mostly done to impress American voters, but Obama looks like he's the kind of guy who isn't afraid to walk away from a fight. To repeat: I am NOT saying he is fundamentally changing foreign policy. I'm saying that it's big of him to give this message, knowing what the talk radio hosts etc. will do with it, in the same way that I was impressed by Sarah Palin's Saturday Night Live performance.
Comments:
Dr. Murphy,
On the relaxation of the drug enforcement, I doubt you are correct. I expect, with the deterioration of government finances at all levels, that we will see ever more restrictive laws allowing even more civil forfeitures.
On the relaxation of the drug enforcement, I doubt you are correct. I expect, with the deterioration of government finances at all levels, that we will see ever more restrictive laws allowing even more civil forfeitures.
# posted by 
: March 21, 2009 at 1:05 PM
: March 21, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Yancey,
I confess I haven't run the numbers, but I but they would bring in 100x as much tax revenue if they legalized pot and cocaine, as they get now from forfeitures.
And remember I have a historical precedent in the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.
I confess I haven't run the numbers, but I but they would bring in 100x as much tax revenue if they legalized pot and cocaine, as they get now from forfeitures.
And remember I have a historical precedent in the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.
How in the world can there be more restrictive laws other than National drug testing via national healthcare? How can forfeitures be expanded? It seems as if they can take everything and anything at the drop of a hat now.
# posted by : March 21, 2009 at 2:50 PM
: March 21, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Anonymous,
I wasn't just talking about presently illegal drugs and the law pertaining to them. We have a host of busybodies looking to ban any number of so-called vices, and plenty hungry cops looking for the next illegal item.
Dr. Murphy,
You could be right about the better revenue prospects of legalization/taxation, but I still think I am right about the future. The exercise of broad authoritarian power is an addiction, too.
I wasn't just talking about presently illegal drugs and the law pertaining to them. We have a host of busybodies looking to ban any number of so-called vices, and plenty hungry cops looking for the next illegal item.
Dr. Murphy,
You could be right about the better revenue prospects of legalization/taxation, but I still think I am right about the future. The exercise of broad authoritarian power is an addiction, too.
# posted by : March 21, 2009 at 8:55 PM
: March 21, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Ahh ok I see now. Those colonoscopy saves lives billboards, plastered over the old smoke free resturants message, make more sense now. With some doctors claiming they are risky & unneccessary unless you are over 90years old, there's a whole lotta machines siting idle. Forget enforcement, now its simply forcement.
# posted by : March 21, 2009 at 11:58 PM
: March 21, 2009 at 11:58 PM
And this?:
...So instead of getting a state income tax refund, some Iowans will be getting a letter from the Iowa Department of Administrative Services telling them their refund has been withheld to cover that court debt.
“We are very serious about collecting unpaid fines and fees,” said Peggy Sullivan, the state director of finance and personnel. “We improved our computer software to find fines and fees we had missed before, and our county clerks are digging through old paper files and inputting the financial information they find into our computer database. Some of the debt we have identified is 10 to 15 years old.”
As a result of the new software and employee efforts, she said, February tax offset collections were $1,713,870 — $209,934, or 14 percent, over February 2008. Year-to-date offset collections are $2.2 million — $310,417, or 16 percent, over fiscal 2008.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, there is no statute of limitations on collecting the fines, a judicial branch spokesman said. In some cases, county clerks have reported people coming in to settle debts dating as far back as 25 years and running the gamut from parking fines and traffic tickets to simple misdemeanors, civil infractions and criminal fines.
In some cases, adults have paid fines for underage drinking and curfew violations, clerks reported.
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2009/03/22/news/iowa/doc49c5a4cb53c53928691837.txt?sPos=3
...So instead of getting a state income tax refund, some Iowans will be getting a letter from the Iowa Department of Administrative Services telling them their refund has been withheld to cover that court debt.
“We are very serious about collecting unpaid fines and fees,” said Peggy Sullivan, the state director of finance and personnel. “We improved our computer software to find fines and fees we had missed before, and our county clerks are digging through old paper files and inputting the financial information they find into our computer database. Some of the debt we have identified is 10 to 15 years old.”
As a result of the new software and employee efforts, she said, February tax offset collections were $1,713,870 — $209,934, or 14 percent, over February 2008. Year-to-date offset collections are $2.2 million — $310,417, or 16 percent, over fiscal 2008.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, there is no statute of limitations on collecting the fines, a judicial branch spokesman said. In some cases, county clerks have reported people coming in to settle debts dating as far back as 25 years and running the gamut from parking fines and traffic tickets to simple misdemeanors, civil infractions and criminal fines.
In some cases, adults have paid fines for underage drinking and curfew violations, clerks reported.
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2009/03/22/news/iowa/doc49c5a4cb53c53928691837.txt?sPos=3
# posted by : March 22, 2009 at 3:11 AM
: March 22, 2009 at 3:11 AM
Cont...
"...Driver’s licenses are not the only licenses that can be suspended or revoked if a court debt is not paid. If a debtor’s occupation is licensed by the state or if the person has a hunting or fishing license, they also may receive a letter suspending or revoking their license. Those professions licensed by the state include accountants, architects, barbers, chiropractors, cosmetologists, dentists, electricians, massage therapists, nurses, pharmacists, security guards, teachers and veterinarians."
There is no escape of this is there?
Post a Comment
"...Driver’s licenses are not the only licenses that can be suspended or revoked if a court debt is not paid. If a debtor’s occupation is licensed by the state or if the person has a hunting or fishing license, they also may receive a letter suspending or revoking their license. Those professions licensed by the state include accountants, architects, barbers, chiropractors, cosmetologists, dentists, electricians, massage therapists, nurses, pharmacists, security guards, teachers and veterinarians."
There is no escape of this is there?
# posted by : March 22, 2009 at 3:16 AM
: March 22, 2009 at 3:16 AM Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]