Posted by Elizabeth on January 3, 2000, at 9:54:29
In reply to Re: one life, posted by dove on January 3, 2000, at 9:34:45
Dove --
Interesting post...thanks for making me think. :)
There are, are there not, things we do that are *immoral* but not *illegal*? That affect those around us but are still, ultimately, our right?
For example, we don't mandate who can and can't have children, even though some people are unable to care for children. Why? Because if it is possible to own any piece of property, then certainly one's own body is one's property.
There has to be a balance between security and freedom. In most Western societies, when there is a tie, freedom wins. That's a cultural value.
> Legalizing the sale of controlled substances is not acceptable in *my* society, not because I want to live in some puritanical ignorant bliss, but because I readily know that *my* society will seek immediate gratification along with the quick-(apparently painless)-fix.
Controlled substances are, for the most part, legal. That's why they're called "controlled." The problem with the drug black market at present is that it is completely unregulated.
> I do not believe that victimless vice exists, in fact, I would argue that it does not and as such, there is no way to legalize such things without harming society as a whole.
You still end up having to make a judgment call as to what constitutes "vice," though.
poster:Elizabeth
thread:17775
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/17893.html