It made economic sense, if you looked at it from the right…
““It made economic sense, if you looked at it from the right angle; it was not in the Clan’s interest for the price of the commodity they shifted to drop—and drop it surely would, if it was legalized or if the pressure to keep up the war on drugs ever slackened. But for Mike Fleming, who’d willingly given the best years of his life to the DEA, it was a deeply unsettling idea; nauseating, even. Bought and sold: We’re doing the dealers’ work for them, keeping prices high.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques how legalizing drug trade would let dealers profit while authorities indirectly support them, creating moral conflict for law enforcers.
In simple terms: Legalizing drugs would let authorities profit from dealers, causing moral conflict.
Key Takeaway
Consider the hidden costs of policy decisions.
Themes
ethics
policy
law enforcement
drug trade
conflict of interest
Mood
conflicted
critical
thoughtful
Type
analysis
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- government policy debates
- DEA training
- activist strategy
- public health planning
- legal reform
Key Concepts
moral economics
systemic incentives
public health
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden incentives drive policy?
- How can moral integrity be preserved in conflicted roles?
A Different Perspective
It assumes all actors act rationally, ignoring human empathy and resistance.