Contraband Law is inherently Tyrannical, inasmuch as it represents nanny-state authoritarianism, threatening citizens with imprisonment merely for possessing the wrong plant, medicine, liquid spirits, or chemical—and doing so in the absence of any infringement on any individual's Rights.
Once people can be conditioned to accept this form of arbitrary law, there is virtually no limit to state power, which can be imposed either legislatively or by edict—supported by a mob—or bureaucrats—or a demagogue—or any combination of the three.
Similar to prior restraint of Free Speech, such a legal philosophy is utterly antithetical to principles of American Liberty. While it's a favorite tool of the Left in America, it is also resorted to by the self-righteous Right, and for similar reasons—control of those who think differently.
Of course, one must also support the ever-expanding Police State necessary to enforce such law—no knock warrants, warrantless searches conducted without probable cause, asset forfeiture, trampling of privacy rights under the Fourth Amendment, and so on.
It's both comical and disturbing to me that anyone who calls himself a conservative who believes in minimal government could simultaneously think that his fellow citizen deserves be criminalized and imprisoned for merely possessing the wrong plant—one of God's own creations!
If an individual or mob on the Right is to be tolerant of Arbitrary Law when it suits their self-righteous purposes, then logically it must also be tolerated when elements of the Left do the same.
The notion that crime only exists when it involves infringing on the rights of other individuals is therefore dispensed with, leaving in its place a philosophy which allows for a Nanny-State with virtually limitless power—imposed either by dictatorial leaders, or, when convenient, relying on majority Tyranny and/or mob rule.
Such a philosophy is—on its face—entirely incompatible with a nation which is supposed to have been founded on the idea of maximum Liberty. Instead, the People are essentially left with the "scraps", enjoying only those rights and freedoms which have not (yet) been whittled away by nanny-staters who believe in arbitrary law—the "least common denominator" of Liberty, so to speak.
No thanks—I'll take actual Freedom, with all of its warts, challenges, and annoyances—informed by education and (when necessary) rehabilitation—not incarceration.
Nanny-state rationalizations will always be precisely that: shortcuts which open the door to an unfettered State—a monstrous entity which can imprison any citizen at any time for one fake "crime" or another...
Well said, sargon.
I never could understand how so-called small government conservatives think it’s fine for the government to send you to prison for possessing a plant.
THIS type of post, well thought out, articulate, taking into account what this country was originally founded on, THIS type of post is what keeps me coming back to Free Republic.
Well, and Laz too. ;^)