All opinions expressed on this page are my own. They are not necessarily shared by any of the organizations, which I endorse or link to.
Most of the plants that clean the air you breathe are green, but the government would like to prevent some of those plants from being cultivated for the interests of their big business investors like timber, textiles, oil, pharmaceutical, prison, and drug testing industries.
While many Americans believe that marijuana is a gateway drug (thanks the propaganda of groups like The Partnership for a Drug Free America and DARE)
most users of marijuana decide not to use other drugs. The gateway drug argument must be looked at logically; if marijuana use induces users to advance
to other drugs then sugar, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and the innumerable prescription drugs could also be called gateway drugs. From economics, we learn that nothing is free.
The freedom that Americans treasure is no exception; the cost of our freedom is responsibility. It is our duty to decide what drugs we wish to use for recreation or self-medication, as well as our choice not to use any drugs.
It is also our choice to disagree with our healthcare providers and refuse to take the drugs a visit to the doctor's office inevitably brings. Some citizens, who are against the decriminalization of drugs, marijuana specifically, cite protecting the children as the main reason to restrict the distribution of drugs.
Those same people could very easily have children with prescriptions to Ritalin, Claritin, or even Prozac to name a few. Are these parents interested in protecting their children from the barrage of advertisements that harm their children's body image and self esteem? Are children being shielded from ads that depict a dehumanized sexuality? Not only should parents be concerned with what
prescription drugs their children are taking (with the influx of innovations in medicine the study of long term effects has been not been given full attention in order to make the drugs available) and the content of their media diet, but they should also think about their children's decision making skills. By engraining good decision making skills in our children at an early age,
we can provide them with the tools to be informed consumers, to not be swayed and swindled by the slick sales pitches that are stacked back to back on television, billboards, and print media pages. This is most readily taught by example and discussion.
Prohibition has never worked in this country; in the twenties violent crime increased as criminals took over the production and distribution of illegal alcohol. Drug dealers and criminals do not care, for the most part, whom they sell their wares to; they are looking to make money. Children with money are the same as adults with money in their eyes. Like used car salesmen, not all people who sell drugs people are without morals. Some who sell drugs will not sell to those under eighteen and some only sell to their immediate circle of friends. In the spirit of the free market, those who sell drugs that are currently illegal should be allowed to do so, but they should be treated like other vendors.
Not only are dealers making money without being taxed, the government is allowed to seize the property of what would otherwise be honest entrepreneurs
if that person happens to sell drugs. Not all drug dealers are criminal minded; some are students and other low-income citizens supplementing their incomes with the sell of drugs.
If the expansive bureaucracy of the US government became involved in the legal distribution of drugs (Reagan contributed to the distribution of cocaine with Iran Contra and law enforcement has much opportunity to profit off of criminalization), potency would be labeled and regulated; as a result there would be less deaths from overdose. Rather than padding a dealer's pocket or removing non violent adults who are
otherwise upstanding citizens from society, taxes could be collected from each sale as well as the fees from the licenses that would inevitably be required in order to sell or serve (like alcohol). The collection of these lost taxes and licensing fees could be used to help those who have a problem controlling their use of drugs. For drugs that have higher addiction tendencies, taxes would be proportionally higher; therefore, it would be cheaper to buy marijuana than tobacco, heroin, crack, cocaine, or crystal meth.
Warning labels, like those on alcohol and tobacco packages, would provide information free of the bias heavily applied by DARE and the Partnership for a Drug Free America.
It is important to remember that America is supposed to be a free country, where the only the rights and privileges denied to one by the government
are those that directly reduce or impose on the rights of another. While you may personally chose not to smoke weed or snort cocaine or take a little trip, it is not a choice
that you should impose on someone else. We have laws against murder, robbery/theft, rape, and other forms of assault; these are things that harm others, responsible recreational drug use is
a victimless crime. The emphasis of course is on responsible drug use by adults. Drug addiction, including alcohol and prescription medications, is not victimless. However, the lack of frank discussion about various drug use adds mystic to illegal drug use that simply encourages use for those looking to rebel. Keep your laws off my body!
Green Party of the United States
- The Green Party of United States is a political party dedicated to the following:
-
- Grassroots Democracy
- Social Justice and Equal Opportunity
- Environmental Sustainability
- Economic Sustainability
- Non Violence
- Decentralization
- Feminism and Gender Equity
- Respect for Diversity
- Personal Responsibility
- Future Focus and Sustainability
Whether you identify with the Green Party or not, it is imperative that your representative is
reminded of your interests. A working democracy requires an active citizenry; if you do not participate monied interests will. Be assured that they are not working to protect the environment or your rights. While most people feel that voting is a sufficient way to have their ideals expressed, letter writing is quite inexpensive in both time and money. Faxes and emails are another way to communicate; please be advised that emails can be viewed as highly impersonal. Many email campaigns flood representatives mailboxes with thousands of identical emails; by customizing your email you increase its chances of actually being read by the elected official. Email, fax, and letter writing campaigns are effective in certain situations.
The best way to remind your representative who delegated them power, however, is to actually meet them. Legislative offices are open to the public; each representative�s office is open to you.
You may schedule an appointment that day or in advance; you may also simply show up and ask if the representative has time to briefly speak with you. When you go to lobby your reps, be prepared with some talking points. Many people lobby them everyday; it is important that you are concise and knowledgeble. Leave a business card or brochure with your contact information, in case they wish to question you further or even ask you to speak before a committee in regards to your interest.
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Know of a worthy website?
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Prohibition has never worked in this country; in the twenties violent crime increased as criminals took over the production and distribution of illegal alcohol. Drug dealers and criminals do not care, for the most part, whom they sell their wares to; they are looking to make money. Children with money are the same as adults with money in their eyes. Like used car salesmen, not all people who sell drugs people are without morals. Some who sell drugs will not sell to those under eighteen and some only sell to their immediate circle of friends. In the spirit of the free market, those who sell drugs that are currently illegal should be allowed to do so, but they should be treated like other vendors. Not only are dealers making money without being taxed, the government is allowed to seize the property of what would otherwise be honest entrepreneurs if that person happens to sell drugs. Not all drug dealers are criminal minded; some are students and other low-income citizens supplementing their incomes with the sell of drugs. If the expansive bureaucracy of the US government became involved in the legal distribution of drugs (Reagan contributed to the distribution of cocaine with Iran Contra and law enforcement has much opportunity to profit off of criminalization), potency would be labeled and regulated; as a result there would be less deaths from overdose. Rather than padding a dealer's pocket or removing non violent adults who are otherwise upstanding citizens from society, taxes could be collected from each sale as well as the fees from the licenses that would inevitably be required in order to sell or serve (like alcohol). The collection of these lost taxes and licensing fees could be used to help those who have a problem controlling their use of drugs. For drugs that have higher addiction tendencies, taxes would be proportionally higher; therefore, it would be cheaper to buy marijuana than tobacco, heroin, crack, cocaine, or crystal meth. Warning labels, like those on alcohol and tobacco packages, would provide information free of the bias heavily applied by DARE and the Partnership for a Drug Free America.
- The Green Party of United States is a political party dedicated to the following:
-
- Grassroots Democracy
- Social Justice and Equal Opportunity
- Environmental Sustainability
- Economic Sustainability
- Non Violence
- Decentralization
- Feminism and Gender Equity
- Respect for Diversity
- Personal Responsibility
- Future Focus and Sustainability
Whether you identify with the Green Party or not, it is imperative that your representative is reminded of your interests. A working democracy requires an active citizenry; if you do not participate monied interests will. Be assured that they are not working to protect the environment or your rights. While most people feel that voting is a sufficient way to have their ideals expressed, letter writing is quite inexpensive in both time and money. Faxes and emails are another way to communicate; please be advised that emails can be viewed as highly impersonal. Many email campaigns flood representatives mailboxes with thousands of identical emails; by customizing your email you increase its chances of actually being read by the elected official. Email, fax, and letter writing campaigns are effective in certain situations. The best way to remind your representative who delegated them power, however, is to actually meet them. Legislative offices are open to the public; each representative�s office is open to you. You may schedule an appointment that day or in advance; you may also simply show up and ask if the representative has time to briefly speak with you. When you go to lobby your reps, be prepared with some talking points. Many people lobby them everyday; it is important that you are concise and knowledgeble. Leave a business card or brochure with your contact information, in case they wish to question you further or even ask you to speak before a committee in regards to your interest.
Links to Worthy Sites
got something to say?
Know of a worthy website?
additional soapboxes