Paved Paradise

I had to watch this twice before I started writing. Not only was I simply stunned from watching it the first time, I wanted to also make sure that Congressman Paul actually did say the things I was sure he’d said. You can almost see the same perplexed “I can’t believe he’s saying this on TV” look in the interviewer’s face. Check the mirror — you might see it there, as well.

Nevertheless, there it is: the outspoken, straight-talking (so much so that not only does John McCain lose the title but also voters are scared of R.P.) Congressman Paul tells it like he sees it: prostitution and drugs should not be regulated by the federal government and should most likely be legal! Homosexuals should be allowed to marry! Of course this all depends on the states’ wishes and laws, but that’s a whole different matter.

What I’m getting at here, taking a page from Congressman Paul, is that the federal government does, in fact, legislate virtue. It’s a social issue, and as a society we must have laws that protect us, but we legislate things that really don’t seem to me to be crimes, like, as Ron Paul stated, drug use and prostitution. Our elected representatives, it seems, must protect us from ourselves, from our vices, from our tendencies to self-destruct, I suppose. Because I know that if wasn’t against the law, I’d run out and prostitute myself tomorrow. I’d also go score a big bag of smack and shoot up, then follow that up with internet gambling until next March.

Or maybe I wouldn’t. I’ve never been attracted to drugs or interested in using them. I wouldn’t have my job very long if I did use drugs, and I respect my body too much to take a chance on them, besides the fact that I can’t afford the habit. And let’s be reasonable: how many of us can? How many of us would do drugs if it was ok? Would everyone suddenly go get high and stay that way for weeks, forgetting to eat or take care of the baby (Trainspotting) or lose our jobs? Stupid people do stupid things, and making drugs legal will not slow that down or speed that up. It’s reasonable to assume that more people will do drugs, but I don’t think it’s reasonable to think that more people will fall into disrepute and despair. Irresponsible people will put themselves in bad positions without the help of legal or illegal drugs, and laws can still be created that would regulate drug use, like the drinking and driving laws, which don’t tell you that you can’t drink, but only regulate your actions after imbibing.

And what about prostitution? Would hundreds of fresh people run out and prostitute themselves? Would there be a run on the market? Would every street corner suddenly be covered in scantily-clad ho’s? Doubtful. In fact, I would expect brothels to appear and maybe even ‘entertainment districts’ to arise here and there in cities or other communities, but following a strict business model, not all of them will survive, and eventually only the best places will thrive since they’d have to have a good product and pay taxes on income. Craigslist will get a boost, and so will internet ‘dating’ and massage services, but in the end, I don’t think there are thousands of women (or men, gay or straight) just waiting to jump in on this particular “get rich” scheme.

So, why is it so important that the government be involved in regulating these vices? Are they preventing lots of crime? Congressman Paul, and even the moderator, suggest that these certain prohibitions, if you will, actually contribute to crime — you think? And Ron Paul suggests that legalizing these activities will lead to jails full of real, hardened criminals rather than some guy with a ‘three-strikes’ dime-bag coke habit.

Perhaps regulating one’s vices is one’s own responsibility. Let’s face it — those of us who DO NOT commit murder choose to not commit murder because we are not inclined to kill anyone, not because we are afraid of jail. If we choose not to do drugs, then that’s up to us. But if we choose to use drugs, shouldn’t that be our choice? If we sit at home with some friends and do a few lines and watch some bad movies, is the morale fabric of America going to tear right down the middle? And how is that different that sitting at home with bottle of Patron doing shots every time they say “Obama” on CNN?

Perhaps, when drugs are legal, we will find that they are not that appealing and not that dangerous (in moderation), after all. And maybe getting a prostitute isn’t really that reprehensible. The individual could decide for himself as an adult, and he would have to live with his own choices, just like individuals do daily with all of their choices. Is it worse than the homeowner with three mortgages and $87k in credit card debt? Is it worse than the stripper trying to pay her college tuition? Is it worse than the welfare mother with seven children all under the age of 11? Each example demonstrates some level of questionable judgment.

Each of us has to live with a plethora of choices, and each of us must regulate our own needs and desires, our own vices and virtues. But we don’t necessarily need the federal government or even the state government to regulate those for us. We have a responsibility to ourselves, and as long as we aren’t hurting someone else, what difference does it make?

I’m not saying we should make prostitution legal or make drugs legal, but it’s something to think about.  Maybe Americans, or people in general, are not mature enough to regulate themselves.  It’s something to think about.  Being free sometimes means having “freedoms” you might not like.