Re:Painkillers now kill more Americans than any illegal drug
by rdtsc on Thursday March 10, 2016 @02:05AM
(#11257727)
> Why should your drug use, or anyone else's, create obligations for other people to support you, treat you, and help you overcome addiction?
Well because we don't live an idealized Ayn Randian universe.
Unless someone moved off the grid, cut off all ties with society, and is on a boat in international waters, or some uninhabited island, they are part of a society. They might not like it, but they are.
If they have children, parents, siblings. They are part of the family. If a parent, is using drugs and not providing for their children, I don't think it makes for a healthy society to watch from the sidelines and say "That's ok. Everyone is responsible for themselves. The gospel of Ayn Rand says so. So let the children starve".
That doesn't advocate incarcerating or punishing anyone. But it advocates helping. And it is, and I think should be, a major obligation. At least I would happily spend my tax money on.
> The libertarian case for legalizing drugs falls apart if society has to take ...
It does fall apart. But making sure the liberatrian cause survives and is proven correct, is not a priority. What is a priority though, is making sure children have safety, shelter, are clothed, are not hungry etc. If, as a result, the libertarian cause must falter and be proven to be a joke, I think most people will be ok with that. (Although it seems here on HN quite a few would be rather distraught).
Well because we don't live an idealized Ayn Randian universe.
Unless someone moved off the grid, cut off all ties with society, and is on a boat in international waters, or some uninhabited island, they are part of a society. They might not like it, but they are.
If they have children, parents, siblings. They are part of the family. If a parent, is using drugs and not providing for their children, I don't think it makes for a healthy society to watch from the sidelines and say "That's ok. Everyone is responsible for themselves. The gospel of Ayn Rand says so. So let the children starve".
That doesn't advocate incarcerating or punishing anyone. But it advocates helping. And it is, and I think should be, a major obligation. At least I would happily spend my tax money on.
> The libertarian case for legalizing drugs falls apart if society has to take ...
It does fall apart. But making sure the liberatrian cause survives and is proven correct, is not a priority. What is a priority though, is making sure children have safety, shelter, are clothed, are not hungry etc. If, as a result, the libertarian cause must falter and be proven to be a joke, I think most people will be ok with that. (Although it seems here on HN quite a few would be rather distraught).