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Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!pesnta!hplabs!amdahl!rtech!jeff
From: jeff@rtech.ARPA (Jeff Lichtman)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Orphaned Response
Message-ID: <153@rtech.ARPA>
Date: Sat, 16-Feb-85 05:53:28 EST
Article-I.D.: rtech.153
Posted: Sat Feb 16 05:53:28 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 17-Feb-85 12:34:18 EST
References: <1959@inmet.UUCP>
Organization: Relational Technology, Berkeley CA
Lines: 36

> >What worries me
> >is that what tends to fill the vacuum are groups like the Mafia (not to
> >mention foreign governments).
> >
> >	Wayne
> >----------
> >
> 
> My understanding is that the Mafia tends to fill the vacuum
> only when government CREATES it by making something illegal.
> 

This isn't quite accurate.  I hear that organized crime is now pushing
everyone else out of the waste disposal business on the east coast of
the U.S.  They are especially interested in the disposal of hazardous
wastes.  They can charge high prices for this because there are strict
laws regulating how this can be done.  They pretend that they are following
these laws, but instead dump the stuff just about anywhere (making sure
that it can't be traced back to them).  This could be construed as the
government creating a vacuum by making something illegal, but I think
the above quote refers to laws which outlaw something that many people
really want or use, like prostitution or gambling.

Also, organized crime was deeply involved in making gambling legal in Nevada.
It now owns many of the casinos, and makes a mint.  How does this jive with
the idea that the Mafia profits when the government makes something illegal?

The main feature of groups like the Mafia is complete unscrupulousness.
They care only about money and power.  If they can get it by taking
advantage of victimless crime laws, they do it.  If they can get it by
cornering a legitimate market so that they can charge high prices without
earning them, they do it.  And if they can manipulate the government to
legitimize a market they already have cornered (i.e. gambling), they do it.
-- 
Jeff Lichtman at rtech (Relational Technology, Inc.)
aka Swazoo Koolak