It is ironic-rouse the limpest adjective-that a government as spontaneously tyrannous and callous as ours should, over the years, have come yo care so much about our health as it endlessly tests and retests commercial drugs available in other lands while arresting those who take "hard" drugs on the potential ground that they are bad for the user's health. One is touched by their concern- touched and dubious. After all, these same compassionate guardians of our well-being have sternly, year in and year out, refused to allow us to have what every other First World country simply takes for granted, a national health service.
Gore Vidal presents a critical view of the government's seemingly contradictory stance on health and drug regulation. While the government spends considerable effort testing commercial drugs, it simultaneously arrests individuals for using "hard" drugs based on health concerns. This raises skepticism about the authenticity of their concern for public health, especially considering the government's long-standing refusal to provide a national health service like those in other First World countries.
Vidal's commentary highlights the irony of a government that appears tyrannical and uncaring while prioritizing health in specific contexts. It suggests that the true intentions behind drug policies may be questionable, leading to a sense of distrust among citizens regarding the government's commitment to their well-being.
