Role of The Government  Destructive or Constructive ?

Constantly reminding our youth of the things they cannot do does not seem a very constructive means of encouraging them to do what we consider to be 'the right things' while giving them the scope they require to explore the boundaries confronting youth the world over.  While there is condemnation of drugs world -wide, there are those who would seek to impose prohibition on even the mildest of 'stimulants' without regard for the natural instincts of our youth which have their origins in man's earliest heritage.  It is natural for children, adolescents and even many adults to question what they see and what they are told.  It is natural for all of us to experiment to some degree or another and to form our own opinions about what is morally acceptable and what is most suitable to our own individual lifestyle.  Why is it then that so many people, some of them purporting to be intellectuals, say "Don't smoke" and "Don't drink" yet express surprise at our large and growing drug problems?  While most would suggest it is preferable if we do not smoke and many would suggest it is preferable if we also don't drink, those that would like to impose this unilaterally on others have generally a more idealistic than practical understanding of their fellow humans.  Some may personally never have succumbed to the pressures of indulging in either substance, but they are very much the exception rather than the rule.  Or, put another way, they are not 'normal'.  While this 'abnormality' may in fact be commended, the question arises as to whether it is helpful to impose the strict regimes of the few on the more liberal regimes of the majority?  Do we assume that those who do not smoke or drink have no other vices and therefore can be used as role models in dictating our other pastimes as well, whether they be social or religious?  Based on what we know of the history of the human race to-date, it would be naïve to assume that attempts to ban use of these substances would not lead to the increased use and abuse of other probably less desirable substances.  Whether we realize it or not, life is becoming more complex every day and therefore becoming harder not easier for the average individual to cope with. Unless there are some radical changes in society, more people are going to take more 'drugs' in some form or another and therefore our message has to become to encourage them to favor the mildest 'drugs' possible.  Certainly legalization of some of the so-called harder drugs could help take the destructive criminal element out of distribution of these substances, particularly if these were administered in a controlled way via chemists, but we would still have a long way to go in search of a progressive society which is conducive to the advancement of individual talent and not to the intrusion of "Big Brother".

Suggestions On Improving Government and Its Influence on the Prosperity of Individuals and Nations

•     Change recruitment policies to encourage innovation, initiative and wider responsibility - in the global economy of today, if government bodies, local councils and even our large corporations, primarily promote on the basis of seniority or familiarity, rather than ability and global experience, then relatively all these entities will under-perform.  Also, over time, structures that are rigidly maintained to insulate those higher up the chain from job competition, or the pressures of the global economy, will become increasingly less efficient and less effective.  Not only will a more progressive recruiting policy create more job opportunities for our youth, it will undoubtedly create more jobs for all our citizens in the longer term.   

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