Why Rush Doesn't Matter

Rush's drug problem that is. A lot of people are speculating that Rush's drug problem may force Conservatives to reevaluate their position on drug laws. One of these people is Harley Sorenson, who states; ""As for the reports that Limbaugh might be involved in illegal buys of painkilling drugs, I hope they turn out to be true. But not for the obvious liberal reason. Sure, I'd like to see a cruel know-it-all like Limbaugh with egg on his face, but, more important, I'd like to see sympathetic attention drawn to the problem of painkillers, prescription or otherwise.

If Rush used too many painkillers, it was because he was in too much pain. If he became addicted, and if his addiction led to his hearing problems, that's punishment enough for the man.

Sooner or later, folks, we have to become civilized enough to take the un-Limbaugh-like position that we don't punish sick people for being sick."

I would applaud these sentiment if I thought that they would change peoples minds about the best way to treat drug addiction. But they won't. Rush's problem is just a reflection of a problem we see in all our communities. Who hasn't known somebody they liked or loved who had a drug problem? Drugs have been a problem in middle class and upper class America just as they have in lower class America.

The ugly truth is that we see lower class, African-American and Hispanic drug crimes as essentially different from Middle Class or Upper Class drug crimes. This is territory we don't like to get into, but a young rich white guy caught for drug abuse has a much better chance of going to treatment and getting clean. He has a support system in place. He has more money and, in general, he's in less day to day pain. So we as a nation have generally decided that he's worth investing in. He's worth running through the treatment system. Poor non-white drug offenders, on the other hand are not worth investing in, and therefore get to go to jail. For more information on this subject, check this out. Naturally it's best to keep this line of thinking unsaid because it kind of puts to the lie some of what Republicans like to say about the lack of need for affirmative action programs.

So we've already got our rationales in place. After all does it really make sense for Rush to go to jail? Cal Thomas gave advice to Rush in his column today, saying; "Just as soon as he is legally able, Limbaugh should come clean about whether or not he has a drug problem. If he does, he should admit it and seek help. That's often difficult for one at the top of his profession, but confession, healing and restoration are more satisfying than silence and a high-priced lawyer."