[Dean's World] Dean: Taking Off The Halo: Economic Facts of Life

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Posted by Dean:
Taking Off The Halo: Economic Facts of Life
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1162306804.shtml


   "I'm a substance-abuse counselor and I can tell you that
   decriminalization of drugs is a mistake because..."

   The real end of that sentence is this: "...because if we decriminalize
   I might not have a job anymore. I rely upon the state to subsidize my
   income and force patients into my care. And if the state stopped
   forcing people into my care I would no longer have a job."

   Oh, isn't it rude of me to state this basic economic reality?

   You think I'm being mean? You think I'm picking on saintly people who
   just want to help others and make the world a better place? So tell me
   then: where am I wrong?

   What, are you denying the fact that most "substance abuse counselors"
   are reliant upon the state and the courts to bring them clients?

   What, I'm an a**hole to notice this, and to question it?

   So go ahead, please explain to me in simple market terms: why am I
   wrong about this? Can you explain to me how the average "substance
   abuse counselor" is not dependent upon the state for his or her
   income?

   It's a simple question really: you're a professional substance-abuse
   counselor. So in the last year, where has most of your income come
   from?

   Is that a rude question?