Clarification/Follow-up by excon on 07/30/04 10:10 am:

Hello again Jackie:

Before I am accused of being a social engineer, I declare that I am a dyed in the wool free enterpriser. Here’s how.

One cannot talk about the “free” market operating when the government is in control of, and makes all laws regulating the distribution of these particular substances. If we had a truly free marketplace, do I think there would be more liquor available in the black community than the white? No.

I think that if these stores were not “imposed” upon them, the black community would root them out themselves – at least to a level equal to that of the white community.

If we had a truly free marketplace, do I think crak cocaine would be prevalent in the black community? No. Is crak imposed upon them like liquor stores are? Well, not quite – and maybe. It’s really a matter of packaging, marketing and opportunities. Crak is sold in $5 rocks. Powder is sold in $100 bindles. Is that a function of the free marketplace? Maybe and maybe not. One couldn’t say for certain, because the free market isn’t at work in this context. Does the government know that black crakheads can only afford their drug in $5 increments? They do.

Here’s what I’m saying in plain English. In a totally free marketplace, there would be no ghetto. Now, put that in your pipe and smoke it. I know I will.

excon