ext_209521 ([identity profile] kinvore.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] talkpolitics2011-06-23 07:14 pm
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Wow they actually did it

I never thought I'd see anyone put their name behind a bill like this anytime soon:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110623/ap_on_go_co/us_pot_bill

It's a proposal to decriminalize marijuana. While technically bipartisan (Ron Paul is a co-sponsor) there is virtually no chance of it passing a Republican-controlled House. It's not all the GOP's fault, though. Few Democrats will go on the record as being opposed to marijuana prohibition, including our President.

We shouldn't be sending people to jail for smoking a damned plant. Anyone who claims to want less government in our lives is a hypocrite if they oppose this bill.

I know, I know. Hypocrisy in politics, color us surprised.
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[identity profile] udoswald.livejournal.com 2011-06-24 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
Really, the only substantive way the Dems are different from the GOP when it comes to police action is Miranda warnings. The Dems do still seem to understand the necessity of the warning while the GOP would completely do away with it if they could (the Supremes have done their best to whittle it down almost to irrelevance).

[identity profile] kinvore.livejournal.com 2011-06-24 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
Well there ARE Democrats who claim to support decriminalization but sadly they are in the minority.

[identity profile] notmrgarrison.livejournal.com 2011-06-24 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
I don't think there was a single one in California.

My opinion is that it's the fact that people over 67 (or thereabouts) graduated college before weed became popular and they're the ones largely against it, and they are a huge voting block. There's also organized crime, the alcohol industry, and law enforcement who benefit from it being illegal.

[identity profile] raichu100.livejournal.com 2011-06-24 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
If what you say about the voting bloc is true (and I don't doubt it), then maybe there's hope that in the future legalization will not be such a difficult thing to implement...

It's a bit like gay marriage and other civil liberties. When the older, more conservative people who are afraid of such things are replaced by a more open-minded youth, change is inevitable. :)
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