Richard Branson’s article entitled “To Win the Drug War: Follow the States” is not only a catchy title, but adds to the arsenal of actions all of us can advocate at the State level.  To win, we need to fight the battle at the State level, if not each town, if not each county.

The Drug war is a farce, the federal government uses it to grow itself, impose itself on the people and the States and unless the States take action, this is but the tip of yet another federal take-over that must and needs to be stopped, if we want to Retake America, one State at a time.

Richard Branson makes a solid case,  in this Huffington Post  article,  that the Drug war has devastating impact on our country, that neither party during campaign has brought it up, then goes on to point out the terrible cost in $$$, lives, vast and extensive efforts to fight it, the growth of the prison system and more.  He then goes so far as to point out that public opinion is swinging in favor of basic drug decriminalization, a la marijuana, and that the States could more effectively do the job than the feds, are beginning to do so and—he does not say this—that the current Drug War overall is a bust, a total failure and does more damage to the people, economy and our prosperity, all based on a witch hunt mentality and a way to grow the federal government seemingly without limit.

All this is not only now self evident, from almost all studies done, but from policemen and others working in the field. “Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) represents police, prosecutors, judges, corrections officials and others who, after witnessing the harms of the drug war firsthand, are now devoted to ending that war.” An article just this week by LEAP staff opens with

Just over one week before voters in three states will decide on ballot measures to legalize and regulate marijuana, the FBI has released a new report today showing that police in the U.S. arrest someone for marijuana every 42 seconds and that 87% of those arrests are for possession alone.

The timing is good and fully substantiates Branson’s writings on this topic.

There is growing acknowledgement that moving the game to the state and local community level as regards marijuana initiatives may, just may be showing statistical benefits of reduced crimes and criminalization around the use of this particular drug.

As an aside, Branson stays mainstream and  does not get into the CIA proof of involvement in drugs distribution and sales as now proven via Supreme Court rulings,  the military protecting the opium fields in Afghanistan, the increased production since our going to Afghanistan and, most importantly, that all governments, DC for sure,  do not work for effectiveness, but for power, more money and more resources.  The drug trade creates huge off the books monies, allows them to run illicit wars, dark projects and fund whatever they want.  Just research Col North, the congressional hearings and the illegal wars in Nicaragua.

Branson points out the economic case, the tremendous cost and little if no value, but that the Drug War has expanded the federal governments tentacles into all levels of our society and woven itself into every aspect that it can via Fight Drugs, when they are as sinisterly involved in the process from the ‘fields to the distribution and sales.’  (Supreme Court findings, TWICE.)

But leave that aside.  Leave Branson’s rational economic argument and ‘let’s make the lives of American’s better off’ by addressing the drug issue locally.” There he has a point, a valid point and a strong case can be made, the data supplied in his article should be solid grounds for any State to take this issue and address as a State issue, discontinuing the federal role that will only expand, not ever address the real issues and, because federal government is what it is, will not grow smaller, spend less and invidiously get out of our States issues unless we, the people of our respective states tell them to get out!

The Feds are losing, have been losing and will continue to lose this law when it comes to the War on Drugs.  Branson has that right, but one must remember, the feds are winning from their viewpoint: not only is war, the measure of health for the monster state, but allows them to expand their power over lives, resources and continue to treat the people as cattle, fodder, if not demonstrate they own you, will punish you and imprison you.  This is the dark underside, now quite openly observable, the uncloaking of the monster state with all it tentacles reaching into our very lives.

Richard Branson make a statement that deserves further discussion: “As a business leader, I have learned the importance of  delegating responsibilities and letting entrepreneurs get on  with it. In U.S. drug reform, those entrepreneurs are the states.”

In management practice, and whenever discussed in terms of government, it is very important to not confuse running a business and running a government or any component of it.  They are different creatures.

Taking back your own power, acting responsible, being responsible, is now called ‘being entrepreneurial.’

Maybe I am over stating this, and it is appreciated that Branson makes the case for States returning to responsible governance; however, it is not properly called entrepreneurial, but mature and sovereign, self-responsible and according to your charter, the State’s constitutional responsibility to protect and maintain the blessing of liberty for individuals living in your jurisdiction.

Branson’s point is economically and socially sound, and, if the deeper meaning is probed, the States and the individual know better than the federal government, that the issue is better resolved locally or by the individual.

The reason is that legislating morality is wrong.  Within a community, ethic or culturally self defining area, there is a self governing, unfolding and historically sound sets of laws.  This is true under the Rule of Law and common law, that is scientific law as defined in the Constitutions used in America today.  The idea of rule of men, statute law as coming out of DC via the federal government and even the States, is political law run amok in the case of the former, and at least more easily addressed if offensive, if at the State level.

Richard Branson, the creator of Virgin Air, represents the creativity and innovative spirit that made America great, and he did this given the regulations and burdens of America’s growing bureaucratic state. .  Virgin America, Inc. is a United States-based airline that began service on August 8, 2007, when the USA was ranked in top 5th Freest countries;  Now ranked 10th in the world for Freedom, a fall from grace in recent years when we were 2nd just ten years ago. (See chart) Sadly, America moved from ‘free’ status like Hong Kong and Switzerland to the next category, “Mostly Free.”  Even worse, in all categories, America is trending downward!

Bar Graph of United States Economic Freedom Scores Over a Time Period

So, Branson is on to something, “The war on drugs has had a devastating impact in the U.S.” and federal politics and the now out-of-control shadow government implicit in the bureaucracy itself is no longer responsive to our needs as Americas.  There is a continued movement away from what made America great towards command and control via DC, if not some global agenda, more reflective of UN or world governance.  Remember, they do not see individuals but group rights and besides, government as the guide, leader and “Determinator” of all that is good.  (Worked with and among them for too long; a burden I have to live with, internalize and use as insight into fighting them…)

He points out the growing curve concerning marijuana, “A Gallup Poll this past year found that fully 50 percent of Americans now support legalizing marijuana.”  This is the tip of the drug iceberg, and the growing Internet phenomenon, that is people having access to information.  It is this growing understanding of the various arguments for and against a topic, like drug laws, and now the growing awareness that this particular war has cost us over a trillion dollars, put almost 1/2 of all inmates in prison today, victimless crimes, serving in many cases sentences longer than murders and rapists!

Again, an attempt to legislate morality, a no-no, especially from afar, DC, if not some global agenda out of wherever!  This article presents much data and information on the costs in lives and money that this War on Drugs has cost in America and even Mexico.

Branson makes a solid case using the statistics I eluded to and expands on it, and sees the America people growing aware of this damning trend and impact on our lives.

He does confuse one idea, you can not delegate what you did not have the responsibility and authority to do in the first place!!!  Branson writes,  “As a business leader, I have learned the importance of delegating responsibilities and letting entrepreneurs get on with it.”  He refers to those states that have implemented or legislated “like Colorado, Oregon and Washington have been driving legalization initiatives to regulate marijuana similar to alcohol”

Let me make a clarification:  the federal government does not delegate this; the individual States make it clear that these powers were never delegated in the first place, but usurped by the federal government.  Like a young lady making it known she does not want to be touched by someone, the States have to accept personal responsibility for their allowing the federal government to ‘touch’ them, that is the individuals that live in the State’s jurisdiction.

Under the delegated powers in the U.S. Constitution as clearly stated in Article One Section 8 & 9, there is no way to stretch it to include Drugs.  Commerce Clause or any other stretch does not count either, that is, if a State takes a stand and says, NO.

HELL NO.

This brings me to Tom Woods who has it half right,  nullification is one way; the other way is to pass legislation, not nullifying something, but stating very clearly that the State sees it otherwise and takes a stand.  Remind the federal government that your state does not automatically accept the federal overreach into areas not ‘delegated’ especially when stretched to include anything under the sun.

One of the wonders of our individual States is that the environmental, cultural and attitudes that work in one state are quite different and condone a way of life that is unique to that state and the people there.  It honors, grooms and supports the diversity of peoples, climates and environments that leads to the localization of the ‘blessings of liberty’ as expressed there.

So, you see, individuals, through their States can act with moral authority and take back their own lives, their own bodies.  And if you don’t agree with one States views on this or that legislation, you can move to another state.   Wanna do X and your State does not like it?  Move to Y State next store.

How often have folk lived in a state where the income tax is many times higher than the State right beside it?  It has been calculated that moving a mere mile or two sometimes, would save a family of four a million dollars or more over a lifetime in taxes by doing this.  What about the families who lost their earnings, their livelihoods from the damage of the drug laws, as Branson points out? Excluding those too poor to move, too many could have moved and saved themselves from this victimless crime scenario that damaged their families.

I find Branson idea here interesting,  “With states as our innovators we know what we need to do on drug reform.”  States can not be innovative, individuals can, ideas can.

A State allows the idea of innovation to happen by getting out of the way.  I am reminded of the story of Napoleon, after a great battle, walking among the troops, stopping to talk with one and saying, ‘is there anything I can do for you, soldier?”  And the Soldier said, yes sir, could you set aside?  You are blocking the sun.”

States can ‘set aside’ and let entrepreneurs, innovators, everyone, just lead their own lives, with as little if no interference from the State.  The State is not innovating, but doing what it agreed to do in the beginning, to protect and maintain the ‘blessings of liberty’ of the individuals living in the State, not to legislate, intrude or distract, not to interfere, not to promote or take away blessings, ‘necessary for a Free State.’  (per the second amendment).

So, take that sword, point it at the federal government and say, leave my people be, let them live in THIS Free State and live with ‘ the blessings of liberty.’

That is what the 10th amendment is all about. That is what the TAC does, promotes and advocates…

The TAC promotes the idea that if you did not delegate it via the powers granted to the federal government, take back your State and your individual rights to live and liberty as clearly stated in the 10th Amendment.

Growing up as a State is like becoming an adult, lead your own life and stop turning to others to tell you how to live.

Let’s mature as States and individuals.  In business some call it Leadership; taking responsibility for yourself.

Branson thinks it is time for each State to take back this responsibility, if the people living there want this and the polls are pointing toward this.

Business and our personal lives, commerce and the market would be better if we got government, the federal government out of the way.  And in the Drug War, they are in the way

TAC supports any State effort to take back their State responsibility for those living within their jurisdiction. They should not accept usurpation from the UN, a delegation from the, tongue-in-cheek, Galactic Council or and this is key, the federal government   The Bill of Rights is a list of prohibitions on the federal government, not a list of individual or State rights, just a warning to the feds.

Winning is always the result when you take back self responsible behavior with all its trials and tribulations for self becoming.

Branson got that right.  The States do have another winning strategy and some States have heroically taken the lead toward winning the Drug War.  Ask your local representative to do the same, to research and then move in a direction of self responsible government; lets win this war on Drugs, by ‘de-warring, new word(?) it, making it something each State can bring under their rule and help individuals live in a world of less harassment, a world where ththose nasty feds who like to intrude themselves into our lives, our fortunes and other areas where the sun don’t…

Now, back to living at 9K, (The view is clearer from here…)

Noel

Noel Berge

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