To demonstrate the success of its free market policies, the Bush administration increased its aid to Afghanistan from $ 130 million to $ 780 million, just to combat Afghanistan's opium and heroin trade.

This increase reflects the economic development of Afghanistan into a narco-state, after the Taliban succeeded in almost eradicating opium production just before 9/11. When the US led coalition forces went to war against the Taliban, the country went back to planting opium poppies.

Today Afghanistan once again can account for nearly 80% of global heroin. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime reports a growth rate in heroin production of 150% per year and proudly today, the opium economy is equvalent to 75% of Afghan GDP at $ 4 Billion dollars. Ain't US led market economies wonderful?

Under the Bush administration leadership, success in the War on Drugs in Afghanistan might someday equal the success the Bush administration has had by spending (since 2000) $ 2.5 billion trying to curb cocaine production in Columbia.

We all recognize this success. Colombia is the source of 90% of the cocaine consumed in the US and 50% of the heroin. Perhaps market forces will be at play to lower the street price of heroin now that Afghanistan is back competing to dominate the world market.

Oh, what a success democracy has been in Afghanistan.

Publius