By Duke London

 

Rolling Stone recently spoke with former Massachusetts Democratic Congressman Barney Frank for their “The Last Word” segment, getting pointed opinions from Frank on a wide range of topics. Frank touched on his heroes, why he doesn’t really care for music anymore, and his contentious relationship with Bill O’Reilly. You can read the interview in its entirety on RS, but one part, in particular, jumped out for us.

While speaking about America’s economy, Frank blasted our country’s failed war on drugs and the tremendous financial toll it has taken.

What’s the next frontier in progressivism?
We have got to repudiate this Cheney-McCain notion that it’s America’s mission to govern the world. That would reduce the military budget by well over $100 billion a year. We also have to provide a better economic situation for people who don’t make it as well in our current economy. And there’s tens of billions to be saved by us legalizing all forms of drugs. End the stupid drug war.

After a follow-up from interviewer Andy Greene, former Congressman Frank expanded on his views, explaining the vicious cycle of opioid dependency in simpler terms.

Should hardcore drugs like heroin and crystal meth be legal?
Yeah. We should outlaw a drug if it is likely to make you mistreat others. People don’t hit other people in the head because they’re on heroin; they hit other people in the head because they need to get money to buy heroin.