Are the Dutch Becoming Puritanical Bastards?

I had read a story in today's Sunday Oregonian on the Dutch country of the Netherlands, and their move to curtail what many call 'liberal' policies.

For many years, Holland- and particularly Amsterdam- has been known for its' relaxed attitude when it came to sex; drugs- marijuana, heroin, and others to name a few- and even marriage (same sex marriage is legal in The Netherlands. Perhaps the US state of Massachusetts should consider ceding from the United states, and at least consider becoming part of Holland). But now, with an orthodox Christian party- read: Holland's answer to the US Republican Party, perhaps?- in the Dutch parliament, it appears that Holland is becoming less of a playground for the wild and crazy, and becoming more like, say, the US under the current Bush administration.

All over Holland, places where people can smoke marijuana and take other drugs casually are being shut down. The 'red light districts'- where prostitutes can legally sashay in windows to attract customers- are giving way to basically sexless streets. And even some churches who feel compelled to protest the country's same sex marriage laws have the right to reject such marriages.

Now, whether this has more to do with the increasing waves of immigration (of mostly black Africans; Muslims; and Arab peoples) or no, that's an argument you'll have to have on your own. But according to the report, by LA Times-Washington Post reporter Molly Moore, the influx of international crime syndicates and the trafficking of sex slaves infiltrating the prostitution trade, and the ever chaotic drug trade, are reasons why the Dutch are changing their laws.

I have a link from an article written by alternet.org last year on the changing atmosphere in Holland. just click on the title to read it.

As I read the article, one thing that came across my mind is that people- be it in Holland, or here in the States- feel that the government can do a better job of regulating personal behavior than we ourselves are. Sure, I don't like the heroin shooting I see here on the streets of Portland, Oregon. But if that what the heroin addict wants to do, then I'm okay with it (as long as he doesn't steal from me, or commit physical harm on my person. Of course, if that person dares tries either, I know where I can score the pure heroin- and I hear that it does nastier things to a person. Pray that you survive that!...). If a person wants to take risks to her/his health, then why should our elected officials try to stop them? If the person is responsible, uses in moderation, then that should be okay.

Besides, as we have already seen, no law- no matter how stringent- will stop a person from using drugs and/or alcohol, if she/he is hellbent on getting such.

Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.