Liberalism and drugs

For years, I've struggled with this question; who's more optimistic about the human experience; liberals or conservatives?

On one hand, you could say it's liberals. Part of the liberal belief system is that with a helping hand, all people can succeed. However, the converse, liberals don't trust that people will help their fellow man so their going to force them to do it.

One could argue that conservatives are the more optimistic. After all, they believe that people can achieve on their own, and that achievement builds self esteem in people. The converse, conservatives don't believe in human institutions to handle problems.

As I've evolved from a liberal into a full blown libertarian, I've challenged people to that question.

However, there's been something I've noticed in the news lately that has me firmly believing that liberals are not the more optimistic. The issue? Drugs.

While we're still waiting on more information, it looks like drugs claimed the life of another Hollywood actor; this time, Heath Ledger. If you are so optimistic about the human condition, why do you need to fill your soul with this shit?

Look at this list, you're probably not going to find a huge number of republicans on it. If you were to ask these people what politician they supported this election it would probably be a democrat. Of course you can't because they're dead.

Let's face it, look at any inner city. The prevalence of drugs in these areas is ridiculous and as we all know, cities are run by democrats.

But Gordon, you're talking about depressed areas of the country where people are trying to mask their despair.

Really?

Heath Ledger had a life of despair? How about John Candy, Bon Scott, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Judy Garland, John Belushi, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Terry Kath, Chris Farley, etc.... Did they all have lives of depression and despair like those in the inner city?

I cannot find any good statistics, but I would be willing to bet a lot of money that the majority of drugs and alcohol are consumed in "Blue" areas? Anyone disagree?

I'd really like comments from those that do. For the past year, I've been witness to a number of stories where drugs have ripped through the lives of families and I'm truly trying to understand what it is that has people willing to throw their lives away for another hit off a crack pipe.

Over my 44 years, I've come to believe that God designed all of us with a "hole in the soul". It's the place God designed for himself but he gives us the free will to fill that hole with whatever we choose. Some people choose drugs, some alcohol, food, sex, blogging, porn, gambling, video gaming, etc.

We all have those comfort places where we go when we don't want to deal with life's struggles. I guess I'm just surprised at how many people choose drugs and wondering why when the costs are so high.