Rand Paul's solution to unemployment and drugs: Rich people?

Rand Paul's solution to unemployment and drugs: Rich people?

The other day, Rand Paul got into a bit of trouble for saying that the drug problem in Eastern Kentucky is "not a real pressing issue." Paul's Democratic opponent, Jack Conway, blasted Paul for being out of touch with the state.

Now Paul has stepped forward to clarify those remarks in an interview with local WYMT-TV, claiming that as a physician, he does view the drug problem as a serious one. But it's unclear whether his clarification will help much. In sum, he said the best solution to drug use is to bring down unemployment -- which is best done by giving rich people the freedom to invest and create jobs.

It's not a stretch to ask whether Paul thinks the best solution to the drug problem is leaving the rich alone to do their thing. From the interview:


It's unclear what Paul meant by warning against "punishing" the rich. But given his past statements, which have depicted Federal action against the private sector as punitive, he is presumably saying high taxation and regulation "punish" the rich and discourage them from investing in the local economy. This keeps unemployment high, which in turn keeps drug use rampant.

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