I couldn't agree more. As a convicted felon, it is very hard to get a WELL PAYING job. Felons generally work for minimum wage, or just above it. In most states we can't get trade licenses, and bigger companies won't hire us. I own my own business, and pay myself, so fuck em, but I'm very fortunate to be in a position where I can do that, most aren't.
Situations like ours (felons) drive drug use, and distribution. It's hard to put down dealing drugs and making a reasonable income, to working 50 hours a week, just to afford rent.
You can't blame the dealers for the demand. SOMEONE has to supply it. Pharmaceutical companys are some of the most dangerous drug dealers on the planet because they lie and trick people into using addictive products. At least street dealers aren't generally supplying my grandma with a handful of addictive (and potentially non-effective) drugs. Dealers supply consenting adults with a product that they WANT.
If you want to stop the dealers, fix the issues that cause addiction.
As a convicted fentanyl dealer (who is not dealing, or using, anymore) it's not coming mostly from the southern border. It's coming from India, through China, via USPS. We even give the Chinese really cheap postage, cheaper than domestic.
I'm sure there is some coming through the border, but why risk running it in person when the post office can smuggle it for you. Plus, the best stuff is from India anyway.
The drug market has shifted over the last 5 or so years to be online, and use the post office. It's great.
Virginia legalized last year, BUT they only issue 5 licenses, via a fucking raffle, per year to distributers. If that's not enough bullshit, it's hundreds of thousands of dollars for the licenses. On top of that, you have to be capable of "seed to sale" meaning you can't just grow or sell, you have to have large scale manufacturing and distribution facilities. Basically, only big companies can play. So all of the people making a living in the illegal industry, are still committing felonies, even though cannabis has been legalized. Big companies can grow, but you can't, even for personal use, if you get caught, prison.
Call ME crazy, but it looks like they are issuing licenses to their corporate buddies, and they still get to stuff their massive and bloated, for-profit, prison system full of whoever they want (IMO, Virginia stepped away from arresting mostly minorities, and is now "an equal opportunity" throw your ass in prison state).
I'm glad I left that state, for a lot of reasons.
I have a better chance of dying while making toast than I do of a shooting.
https://www.liljegrenlaw.com/what-are-the-most-dangerous-appliances-in-your-home/
You are going after the wrong people. The border is a distraction to get you riled up. The real enemy is is DC.