Having been assaulted by a drunken moron within a few hundred yards of my home, I'm more than qualified to comment on the effects of alcohol abuse. Raising the price of such a despicable substance is in no way a solution to the problem. Raising the price of such a despicable substance simply earns the government more money. I'm all for that. If they can fuel their strange nonsensical crusades by penalising those who drink cheap alcoholic drinks, then sure, go ahead, but I'd like them to admit that this is their aim. Under no circumstances will this save lives. If someone is hellbent on drinking themselves first into oblivion and then later to death, they will manage it eventually. Money is immaterial to the dead man. Besides which, saving lives is not the duty of the government. If it is, then why would the government move to cannibalise the NHS?
I have a much more elegant solution to the falling levels of sobriety across Britain: the legalisation of cannabis. As an alternative depressant to alcohol, it is much less damaging to the user, much less likely to invoke violence and has never been known to cause any death, ever. Furthermore, legalising the substance allows the implementation of taxes upon it. This could easily earn HM Treasury more than raising the price of alcohol ever would. It would also limit funding to organised crime somewhat, as would the legalisation of prostitution, which could also be taxed. As I understand it, Köln makes quite some revenue from taxing prostitution, legalisation of which would also render safer the lives of prostitutes. Nonetheless, I was discussing the advantages of legalising cannabis, which are manifold.
Though more intoxicating in a mental sense, cannabis causes less damage to the body than tobacco and is less addictive than nicotine. Of course, smoking cannabis on a 15-minute break might have a greater effect on productivity than smoking tobacco, but workplaces generally forbid the consumption of alcohol whilst working on the job, so there should be no problem with forbidding the consumption of cannabis for employers. The same is true of transport, and public places may well still carry a smoking ban that extends to cannabis, though I cannot see any problem with consumption of special brew or spacecakes in a pub or licensed café, for instance. Since all of these products can be taxed and charges implemented for the relevant licenses, the government stands to rake in funds for its activities — the National Health Service, for example — through legalising cannabis.
Whilst I'm on the subject of legalising things, I also believe strongly that laws allowing or implementing the following would greatly improve society.
- Gambling age of 12
- Drinking age of 12
- Legalise prostitution, as vaguely outlined above
- The Alternative Vote system for General and Local elections
- 650 apartments in one building in Westminster, for MPs' second homes
I have arguments ranging from reasonable to firm and structured for the above, but this post is getting lengthy anyway, so I'll stop here.
Disagree with any of the above? Well, there is a space to leave comments below. It's possible to make them anonymously, but, really, an anonymous opinion is a worthless one. If you believe something, put your name to it.
Interesting thoughts there Robin, delivered in a well-written manner, as always. I'd like to hear your thoughts behind legalising drinking for those above the age of twelve; and of course, apartments in Westminster is inevitable x
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