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> Drug cartels don't make there money selling to people in Mexico, the real money is in the US market. This decision is not sufficient, but if mexico completel
by throwaway7767 11y ago
> Drug cartels don't make there money selling to people in Mexico, the real money is in the US market.
This decision is not sufficient, but if mexico completely legalised drugs, including manufacture, sale and distribution, the cartel violence in mexico would mostly stop, because they'd be legitimate businessmen who could rely on police protection.
The US wouldn't like it, but hey, that's their problem (in theory - in practice they'd make sure this never happened by meddling in foreign affairs as they always do).
- happyscrappy 11y agoThe cartels would not just become upstanding taxpayers and the US is legalizing weed. Anti-American comments will always get you up votes but your scenario is very unlikely.
- throwaway7767 11y agoThe cartels are a business. The main reason they use violence is that they can't rely on police protection, so they have to provide their own. I am quite sure that the cost of providing their own security is considerably more than any taxes on legitimate businesses in mexico. So it makes sense for them from a business perspective. Obviously it won't happen overnight. Some of them will adapt and work within the system, others will find that their old ways are not competitive with the legitimate businesses, who have lower overheads. Obviously there will still be crime, and the cartels that don't adapt will find other criminal enterprises to pursue. But it's hard to see another market that will provide them with comparable income. It was not my intent for the comment to come off as "anti-american". Just saying that mexico making this change would move the problem to the US, which would then be forced to act, hopefully by following through with a full-on legalisation of their own (not just for marijuana).
- happyscrappy 11y agoIt is complete fantasy to say that the cartels are just businessmen, they would rather murder someone than pay them.
- EliRivers 11y agoWhat do you think business is? When it's overall cheaper to murder someone than pay them, it's good business to murder them.
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- happyscrappy 11y agoSome businesses will kill people to save money, look at Volkswagen.
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- kefka 11y agoI'm a US citizen, and I'm ashamed of what my government does in my name. I was born here: no choice in that matter. My taxes are used to fund horrid and despicable things in our collective name, including messing in others sovereign affairs, going to war, causing war between 2 different parties, and all the things wrong with "War on ____" (just add in the word representing the next 15 minute hot button issue). I, as a citizen, do vote against politicians who either publicly have those views or have voted on those lines.. But what else can I do, other than emigrate? And that takes money, an advanced degree, and lots of luck to be accepted.
- happyscrappy 11y agoIf you are ashamed of America you should emigrate, continuing to be a hypocrite while profiting from the system is untenable if you are actually believe what you say. There are plenty of countries where it is a lot easier to become a citizen than the US.
- kefka 11y agoAnd still be affected by their policies? Doesn't sound like a good plan.
- happyscrappy 11y agoIt is certainly easier and more profitable to just be a mouthy hypocrite.
- dragonwriter 11y agoThe cartels can probably rely on police, military, media, and other institutional support more than any other set of businesses in Mexico now. Legalization would undercut cartel violence in Mexico because it would open up more competition and drop prices in the US market, so that the flow of money that supports their empire of corruption and violence would be shut off.