A Symbiotic Relationship

 A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP

One definition of a symbiotic relationship is a close, prolonged association between two or more biological species.  The association can be either mutually advantageous or it can be parasitic where one party benefits and the other is harmed.  We have here in this country a powerful and long-standing symbiotic relationship between what we term the "drug task force" and the drug trade.  In this relationship, the "drug task force" owes its existence to the drug trade - - without the drug trade, no "drug task force"; it is a parasitic relationship - - it benefits the "drug task force" and harms those in the drug trade.

As one of the more memorable statements in the movie, The Outlaw Josey Wales, "There ain't no end in doin' right."  This should be, if it is not, the motto of the "drug task force".  The "drug task force" is "doin' right".  The last thing that the "drug task force" wants or desires is the end of the drug trade. Without it,  no "drug task force", no more "doin' right", no more symbiotic relationship.  Keep drugs illegal is the motto of the "Drug Task Force". 

Currently, the end of the illegality of marijuana is on the horizon.  This is a prospect that is extremely alarming to the drug task forces  of America.  Not only is marijuana so pervasive that it has given unlimited employment to the "drug task force", but methamphetamine can be found everywhere as well.  There is so much of both, that the "drug task force" doesn't know where to begin - - they are befuddled but gainfully employed; and if marijuana is made legal, it may be the end of the need for so much employment.  However, don't despond, our legislatures are attempting to fill the gap with the new incarceration statutes for fentanyl and other and newer substances our innovative chemists come up with so there is always hope.

One is invited to feel sorrow for the "drug task force", but let's not, ok?  The "drug task force" has as its number one function the making of life more miserable for people whose lives are already sufficiently miserable to want some release with substances which make them feel better, if only temporarily.  The second purpose of the "drug task force" is to felonize the public as much as possible; to deny as many people as possible the right to vote.  Once a felon, you can't vote which is the main purpose of creating felonies. The government has the right to decide who can vote and who can't and the fewer the people who can vote, the easier it is to control those who remain able; hence the "drug task force".  

As can be seen, the creation of the "drug task force" was a necessary tool of government control of the public. It has worked a miracle in that way.  The threat of lengthy incarceration for possession of a substance deemed "illegal", has the desired effect on those who really don't feel the necessity of being locked away behind bars and prison walls, true.  And it doesn't adversely affect those who really don't care much one way or the other - - their lives will not be much different incarcerated where we, as taxpayers can support them; they normally don't vote in any event.  But as we can plainly see, millions of people in this country use illegal substances, who will, if caught, lose their right to vote, do jail time, land on probation or parole and otherwise be tightly controlled by the government without the ability to decide who makes the rules.

The war on drugs was sold to the public as something necessary - - to keep us from falling into the pit of abuse, despondency, and unproductiveness.  It has so succeeded in selling this to the public that hardly a contrary word can be heard.  One always should remain suspicious when the organs of publicity are unanimous; there is usually something missing.  Therefore, explanations are usually beneficial and it is hoped that this somewhat limited treatment of symbiosis is helpful.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo