Feenix566
01-02-2008, 11:45 AM
Mexicans have been crossing the border into the United States in record numbers for the last few years. This is seen here as a problem. Many people have proposed many solutions to this problem. The most popular proposed solution is to build a wall along the border, and to control immigration with an iron fist. This solution seems appealing on the surface, if you assume that it can be done. However, it has two major drawbacks. First, it may not be feasible given the length and terrain of the US-Mexican border. Second, and most importantly, it fails to address the root cause of the immigration problem.
For decades, illegal drugs entered the United States on ships. This changed when the United States Coast Guard stepped up its drug enforcement, closing off this avenue for entry. Forced to find an alternative route, drug producers began funneling all their shipments through Mexico. This trend has given Mexican drug cartels a lot more income than they previously had, which they've used to purchase more weapons and hire more thugs to protect their operations, which usually involves carrying out attacks on both rival drug gangs and the police. Drug-related violence in Mexico has skyrocketed in the last decade. The violence is tearing the country apart. That's why so many Mexicans want to leave and come to the United States.
In an economy as strong as that of the US, people have many legitimate opportunities for advancement. In Mexico's economy, this is not the case. The War on Drugs has driven up the price of illegal drugs, which in turn drives up the income of drug traffickers. Just like in the poor sections of the US, the earning potential of someone involved in the drug business is much higher than any other profession in Mexico, which is a great motivator for young poor people to join the business. Given these conditions, there is no end in sight for the drug trade in Mexico, and the corresponding violence and economic depression.
If drugs were legal, there would be no drug cartels. They would be replaced by drug companies. For evidence of this fact, look back to the time of alcohol prohibition in the US. It was one of the most violent times in our history, as bootleggers like Al Capone shot each other down in the streets to compete for the lucrative alcohol market. Today, you don't see Budweiser and Miller employees having gun battles in our cities. They're legitimate businesses run by law-abiding citizens.
Ending drug prohibition should not be seen as a solution to our drug problem. It's a solution to our crime problem. People who want drugs will find them, whether they're legal or not. I've never met anyone who would like to try cocaine but just can't figure out where to get it. I'd wager that you haven't, either. Ending drug prohibition will end the violence that's tearing Mexico apart. It will force drug cartel thugs to get real jobs to support themselves. Under these circumstances, Mexico's economy will recover, and Mexicans will not have nearly as much motivation to enter the United States.
If you want to solve the immigration problem, end drug prohibition.
For decades, illegal drugs entered the United States on ships. This changed when the United States Coast Guard stepped up its drug enforcement, closing off this avenue for entry. Forced to find an alternative route, drug producers began funneling all their shipments through Mexico. This trend has given Mexican drug cartels a lot more income than they previously had, which they've used to purchase more weapons and hire more thugs to protect their operations, which usually involves carrying out attacks on both rival drug gangs and the police. Drug-related violence in Mexico has skyrocketed in the last decade. The violence is tearing the country apart. That's why so many Mexicans want to leave and come to the United States.
In an economy as strong as that of the US, people have many legitimate opportunities for advancement. In Mexico's economy, this is not the case. The War on Drugs has driven up the price of illegal drugs, which in turn drives up the income of drug traffickers. Just like in the poor sections of the US, the earning potential of someone involved in the drug business is much higher than any other profession in Mexico, which is a great motivator for young poor people to join the business. Given these conditions, there is no end in sight for the drug trade in Mexico, and the corresponding violence and economic depression.
If drugs were legal, there would be no drug cartels. They would be replaced by drug companies. For evidence of this fact, look back to the time of alcohol prohibition in the US. It was one of the most violent times in our history, as bootleggers like Al Capone shot each other down in the streets to compete for the lucrative alcohol market. Today, you don't see Budweiser and Miller employees having gun battles in our cities. They're legitimate businesses run by law-abiding citizens.
Ending drug prohibition should not be seen as a solution to our drug problem. It's a solution to our crime problem. People who want drugs will find them, whether they're legal or not. I've never met anyone who would like to try cocaine but just can't figure out where to get it. I'd wager that you haven't, either. Ending drug prohibition will end the violence that's tearing Mexico apart. It will force drug cartel thugs to get real jobs to support themselves. Under these circumstances, Mexico's economy will recover, and Mexicans will not have nearly as much motivation to enter the United States.
If you want to solve the immigration problem, end drug prohibition.