289: State-sponsored vice

<p>The boys drink and review a homemade batch of Krupnikas, a Christmas cordial, then discuss how states often sponsor morally questionable behaviors, like gambling and drug use.&nbsp;</p> <p>Maryland voters recently approved a referendum legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. Is this a good idea?&nbsp;</p> <p>Some people try to put a positive spin on this by taxing the drugs and using the revenue for some good purpose.&nbsp;</p> <p>Does decriminalization cut out the criminal element? Does that justify decriminalization?&nbsp;</p> <p>And what about gambling? Is legalized gambling a good thing for society? Does winning the lottery actually help anyone? Does the lottery disproportionately affect the poor?&nbsp;</p> <p>What happened to all the traditional arguments against gambling? Have we countered them, or just ignored them?&nbsp;</p>