I would like to take a moment to just mention that I am not an expert in any of these subjects, thus why I would like to see a government run by people who know what they are doing.

First up, drugs. People are going to find a way to get them as we have seen over the past 30 years. Regardless of whether they are banned or not, people are going to ruin their lives with them.

TG, why were the druggies pulling a knife on you? Were the mugging you (I think you mentioned one trying to steal your car)? Most likely you are an ends to a mean. They want their fix. They need money to pay the dealer. The drugs are expensive because of the war on drugs.

If drugs are legalized, then drugs will cost less (risk of being caught and thrown in jail means they demand a high reward). Assuming the person can hold down a job, then there is no need to resorting to violent and illegal behavior. I find this second assumption harder, and I will admit I am basing it off of a stereotype because of how few druggies I know. As a side effect, the money would be flowing into businesses and the government instead of drug lords.

I remember reading that at least one country has taken to giving addicts a limited amount of the drug a day to reduce their urges. The idea behind this was to curtail the crime because they wouldn't need the money for the drugs because their need for a fix has already been filled. There will still be those who want more, of course.

Ocean_soul, I do agree with you. By no means do I think we should release all of them at once. I think a good initial step would be to start with the softer drugs. See how it affects our society before considering the harder drugs.

TG, I know one of the towns about an hour away is jokingly referred to as McMethville. The cops stomped down so hard on the other drug that was flurishing in the town that meth just rose up and became the new predominant drug.

Also in the area is Bonnaroo (a music concert) and it is apparently well know for drug abuse as well (friend for ohio recognized it and mentioned there being lots of drugs there as well as my sister seeing several people using).

Secondly, on the national debt. Ocean_soul, you are right that it doesn't matter until the world starts losing faith in us. To the world though, I would have to wonder if they expect us to ever repay those debts. From what I saw it is actually sitting over 8 trillion dollars though.

Furthermore, I have occassionally read that the strength of the US dollar is falling, and I understand that reflects less faith in the US economy.

As for privatization, the power over the company should not be in the hands of share holders but the community they work for. Ugg I am about to break into so******t/communist mode. Say a new community was being built and five hospitals were built. Everyone becomes an equal share holder of the comapny yet they still have to compete amongst each other. The customers are their owners though so (hopefully) they won't be cutting corners too much.

My apologies for being so long winded and rambly.