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> It's undeniable that drugs, gambling, and prostitution have real social costs and harms So does banking and the police. Or firearms and alcohol. Both are reg
by tomp 11y ago
> It's undeniable that drugs, gambling, and prostitution have real social costs and harms
So does banking and the police. Or firearms and alcohol. Both are regulated, but not outlawed.
- JoeAltmaier 11y agoHeck so does "pursuing happiness". Skiing accidents. Bankruptcy when your art studio goes under. Smoking. Pretty much anything fun. As a country, the USA is actually constituted to allow these things. Because, individual freedoms. And inalienable rights. I hear somebody want to crack down on something, I think "There goes somebody who forgot what it means to be American"
- jljljl 11y agoBeing pedantic: pursuit of happiness and inalienable rights are in the Declaration of Independence, not the constitution. The right to regulate interstate commerce (and thus put restrictions on a lot of the fun things) is enumerated.
- JoeAltmaier 11y agoBeing pedantic right back: the US Supreme Court refers to the Declaration as source material for the Constitution, to illuminate its intent.
- jljljl 11y agoThere is a ruling where they refer to it as providing intent and color, but not law. And cases can only be decided based on law. I don't think you can make a decision based solely on the "pursuit of happiness" phrase from the Declaration of Independence, but you could use it as a supporting argument for your claim.