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presidential debate

Presidential Debate On Foreign Policy Omits International War on Drugs

3rd debate

Last night millions of Americans tuned in for the 3rd and final debate of the 2012 presidential election.  The event was less tense than the last week’s town hall debate which the saw the candidates create an uncomfortable atmosphere.  Perhaps surprisingly, the attack on the American Consulate in Libya was only briefly mentioned.  The candidates did engage on some important international issues regarding Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan.  However noticeably missing was much of any conversation on our South American neighbors.

The war on drugs is foreign policy area that has a much more direct impact on the lives of daily Americans.  Violence over drug trafficking is out of control and the Cartels have now infiltrated and have a presence in several states including Arizona and Utah.  Additionally, U.S. authorities have found underground tunnels complete with railcars that have been constructed by the Cartels that run between San Diego and Tijuana.  This foreign threat could not be hitting closer to home and there has been almost no mention of the war on drugs on the national stage last night.

Failure to alter the failed course of the war on drugs has now become a decades long blunder.  By electing to ignore the problem, tens of thousands have died in only a few year span.  Additionally, our borders have become less secure.  It is honorable that the United States is compelled to help the civilians in the Middle East, but we should not forget some of our closest allies both geographically and culturally who live in Mexico, Central America, and South America.  Failure to act and amend our laws has also cost the United States money through incarcerations and court expenses while also diverting police resources from other issues.

Instead of using the last best chance to talk directly to the American people about a range of crucial foreign policy issues, the two candidates seemed satisfied by sampling falling back on their domestic economic talking points during last night’s debate.  There was no mention of the European Debt Crisis, only a whisper regarding Greece’s financial meltdown, and of course the violence only miles from our border.  If violence, money, and the security of this nation are important to whoever lives in the White House in January, the War On Drugs cannot afford to be an ignored issue.

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