Would anyone in their rational mind support spending $70 billion annually for 35 years with zero results? Mark Twain lamented, “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself!”

A boat-load of responses caused me to interview Howard Wooldridge further. Many Americans bring heated emotion to this national tragedy. My brother brings reason coupled with logic! However, many don’t want to accept or deal with reality. Several readers condemned Howard for his stance. However, they lack any solutions. Guess what buckaroos, my brother takes action where others complain. He educates U.S. Congressional representatives as you read this interview.

The question arises! Who supports the drug war? Officer Wooldridge said, “Osama Bin Laden, President George Bush, The Ochoa Brothers, John Walters (USA’s Drug Czar), Congressman Mark Souder, Mexican Drug Cartels, DEA, FARC, National Association of Narcotics Officers, Canadian Cannabis Growers Association, Pharmaceutical Industry, Al Qaeda, Private Prison Association, Meth Makers of Mexico Association, MS-13 drug gang, California Narcotic Officers’ Association, Crips & Bloods, Deputy Chief Thomas Gorman of California, Pablo Escobars’ Amigos, Congressman Duncan Hunter, Columbian Coca Growers Association, Senator John McCain, et al, Fundamentalist Christian Association, the Washington Post and the New York Times.”

See a pattern here? Ever wonder why it’s so difficult to make even small changes in our prohibition policy “AKA War on People?” The 10 major organizations trying to end the New Prohibition enjoy a $25 million budget. The drug companies, which fear the medicinal aspects of marijuana, put that much in the freezers of politicians to stifle competition. Does Al Qaeda contribute to the Republican Party? If opposition to the Drug War continues to grow, Al Qaeda would be advised to funnel cash to prohibition politicians. Prohibition puts $3 billion in bin Laden’s hands every year. Hiding $100,000 in bribe money in his freezer, as the Congressman William Jefferson from Louisiana did, proves chump-change compared to losing billions. Congressman Duke Cunningham’s $2.4 million in contractor bribes prove insignificant to the ramifications of the Drug War.

Nonetheless, you see the kind of greed that propels our congressional representatives. Again, all those who support the Drug Enforcement Agency, do it so it will continue to exist, but not because it yields any results.

“The California Narcotic Officers Association fears the loss of their paychecks, knowing that the sensible People of California would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana the day after the feds end the National Prohibition,” Howard Wooldridge said. “Even if they did not lose their paychecks, they would be reassigned to go after drunk drivers, child predators and other public safety threats. That type of work is boring compared to kicking in a few doors a week, waving their guns around and arresting people. Heaven forbid they would have to take a stolen bicycle report!

“MS-13 gang makes billions selling illegal drugs in the USA. They would not be happy to see the end of Prohibition. They would have to go back to landscape jobs! President Bush supports the Drug War to keep his Pharma Industry lobbyists happy. He views the weekly deaths of young teens that die selling these drugs on the sidewalk as ‘God’s Will.’ So no problem there! Mexican drug cartels enjoy the finest tequila and tacos in Mexico on the money they are making. As a bonus, their narco-dollars buy them influence at the Presidential Palace in Mexico City. The private prisons in the USA lobby for more mandatory drug sentences in order to keep their cash flow coming. The Meth Makers of Mexico make billions exporting their product into the US and Canada.”

Congressman Mark Souder supports the Drug War because he uses it to get re-elected. “I am getting tough on drugs!” he said. Souder has convinced the voters in Indiana that the 2nd trillion dollars spent on this policy will result in drugs being slightly less available to their kids. Ditto Congressman Duncan Hunter who has convinced his California constituents of the same thing. Our Drug Czar John Walters simply likes his government job with all the perks of flying around the world saying how much progress he made in 2007. He reminds Officer Wooldridge of General Westmoreland during the Vietnam War and body counts.

“The growers of BC Bud are making billions exporting to the US the most potent pot on the continent,” Officer Wooldridge said. “That industry now employs more people in British Colombia than mining or forestry. The Crips and Bloods make billions as a vertical monopoly buying in bulk and employing their members for the retail sales. Experts say that the economy of several large cities would collapse without the cash that the dealers generate for their home neighborhoods. FARC (guerrillas of Colombia) have been making billions protecting the Coca Growers of Colombia Association. FARC uses their profits to wage war on the Bogotá government.

“Fundamentalist Christians are adamant that God believes the Drug War is just and righteous and that Jesus would also support it. Right! Jesus would put a cocaine user in the hell-hole of a Texas prison for two years. NOT! ‘But it is immoral to use these drugs’ they say with indignation. When confronted with the fact that young teens die every week because the policy employs a million teens, they usually blame the parents for the deaths, not their support for the policy. Native Americans have used mind-altering substances for centuries. Is the Christian religion superior to their beliefs to the point that Indians should go to jail? NOT!”

The Washington Post, the New York Times, Newsweek, Time and US News & World Report all support prohibition. Could it be they do not want to upset the drug makers who take out 3-4 full page ads for their drugs? Money talks!

“As you can see, the supporters of Prohibition Two are numerous and well-funded,” Officer Wooldridge said. “Nonetheless, I will use my one-eyed horse Misty and my Stetson to promote the end of the most dysfunctional, immoral policy since slavery until it is in the history books, or I draw my last breath.”

Today, my brother Howard Wooldridge heads up a task force in Washington, DC to educate and enlighten congressmen at the highest levels. He works for a better future for all Americans. He can be reached at: Education Specialist, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, www.leap.cc , Washington, DC. He speaks at colleges, political clubs, Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions Clubs across America. LEAP speakers in 36 states address this issue to citizens around the country to bring an end to the Drug War. Check out the web site and join. Book a speaker in your state! Wooldridge also presents at political conferences in Washington. wooldridge@leap.cc

The mission of LEAP is to reduce the multitude of unintended harmful consequences resulting from fighting the war on drugs and to lessen the incidence of death, disease, crime, and addiction by ultimately ending drug prohibition.

“Envision a world where crime is cut in half, terrorists don’t make money selling drugs and kids are not employed in the drug trade,” Wooldridge said. “Envision a world where the police focus on DUI, child predators and terrorists. Imagine a world where if you have a drug problem, you see a doctor not a judge. All are possible, when we find the courage to end our Prohibition.”

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