More money down the same rat hole

In today’s Times, Secretary of State Clinton at least acknowledges that the drug problem is not Mexico’s drug problem, but the USA’s drug problem. However, her solution is to throw more money down the rat hole and further militarize our southern neighbor. Three helicopters are a token. 300 wouldn’t make a difference. Drug runners aren’t the problem; drug buyers are the problem. Middle class white males. Politically untouchable. The only solution is to take the money out of the drug trade.

March 26, 2009
Clinton Says U.S. Feeds Mexico Drug Trade
By MARK LANDLER
MEXICO CITY — Seeking to ease a cross-border relationship strained by drug trafficking, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived here Wednesday and offered the clearest acknowledgment yet from an Obama administration official of the role the United States plays in the violent narcotics trade in Mexico.

“Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade,” Mrs. Clinton said, using unusually blunt language. “Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians.”

Mrs. Clinton’s remarks were coupled with a pledge that the administration would seek $80 million from Congress to provide Mexican authorities with three Black Hawk helicopters to help the police track drug runners.

(I support legalization of drugs as a policy. I do not use drugs or advocate the use of drugs.)