President of the US of A, the Poll

[John Scott]

He does not need to change any laws, those laws have been changed at state level already

Even if a State law says green is good, the Federal laws can be enforced.

[Ferre]

Originally Posted by zibblu

Drugs are too much of a hot button issue and none of those guys wants to risk their "electability" in the process of trying to actually change anything for the better.

I do not believe that politicians would risk their electability when they try to change laws which every single poll the past decades has shown that the huge majority of the people want to change anyway.

Polls keep showing that the majority of the American public wants weed legalized so factually they would improve their electability with speaking up for what the majority wants them to do in the first place.

The reasons behind their cowardness is not fear of the opinion of their voters, it's fear for the opinion of the industries who would loose big time if weed/cannabis/HEMP/marijuana was legal.

legalisation of Cannabis would mean that HEMP would be legal too, and there's the big problem for the chemical, pharmaceutical and many more politically influencial industries. HEMP is simply way too much competition for those industries.

[John Scott]

I do not believe that politicians would risk their electability when they try to change laws which every single poll the past decades has shown that the huge majority of the people want to change anyway.

What majority? In most States outside of California, there is no grassroots belief that weed should be legalized. Maybe a vocal minority, but that's about it.

[Ferre]

Originally Posted by John Scott

Even if a State law says green is good, the Federal laws can be enforced.

Only if there is someone who dictates this, and if someone with the juridical authority like the chairman of the Domestic Policy Subcommittee tells the drug czar to respect state laws, this can be done, as there are numerous other state laws which are not interfered with by the federal government

[John Scott]

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3392

A lot of those polls show there is still resistance to its use by terminally ill people - what do you think that says about its use by those who are healthy?

[Ferre]

Originally Posted by John Scott

What majority? In most States outside of California, there is no grassroots belief that weed should be legalized. Maybe a vocal minority, but that's about it.

I see how little you know about the numerous polls which have been conducted the past ten years.

http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/press...e/pr062403.cfm

The last Zogby Poll conducted nation wide showed that 41% of the American people was in favor of regulating it like alcohol, and when asked about medicinal use there is a huge majority nation wide to legalize this.

41% is not a vocal minority John.

On medicinal Cannabis...

http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/medical/

Public opinion is also in favor of ending the prohibition of medical marijuana. According to a 1999 Gallup poll, 73% of Americans are in favor of "making marijuana legally available for doctors to prescribe in order to reduce pain and suffering." In a 2004 poll commissioned by AARP, 72% of Americans ages 45 and older thought marijuana should be legal for medicinal purposes if recommended by a doctor.

72% - 73% is not a vocal minority John. It's a huge majority.

[Ferre]

Originally Posted by John Scott

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3392

A lot of those polls show there is still resistance to its use by terminally ill people - what do you think that says about its use by those who are healthy?

Resitance? you mean the avarage of 28% which does not approve? Which is about the same rating as the approval rates of G.W. Bush? Maybe it's the same people who approve his policies who also don't approve of legalising natural medicine for the terminally ill. That would make sense to me.

[John Scott]

Originally Posted by Ferre

41% is not a vocal minority John.

Last I checked, yes it is.

49% or less - minority.

50.0000000000001% or more - majority.

[navyfalcon]

What do you think the major problems are that the new president has to solve and what order of priority ??
You may trust me on this - that weed has a very low priority
we ranchers don't even want our cattle to get it, maybe that's why they call it weed
falcon

[zibblu]

I disagree navyfalcon. Civil Liberty should be at the very top of the priorities of any "free" country.

[navyfalcon]

Originally Posted by zibblu

I disagree navyfalcon. Civil Liberty should be at the very top of the priorities of any "free" country.

What do you think the problems are and what do you think the priorities should be ??
Terrorists- war- resession- inflation- security- safety- foreign relations- economy- medical care- social security- crime- farming- manufacturing- illegals- housing- flooding- drought or ??
or weed to be legalized or not-very low priority
falcon

[zibblu]

Personally the issues I'm interested in are as follows (not necessarily in order but close to it):

1. health care
2. the environment
3. civil liberty
4. education
5. national defense (i would like to see America take a non interventionist stance like advocated by people like Ron Paul & Dennis Kucinich. the best way to protect our country is to stop pissing off crazy people with our intrusive imperialistic agenda.)

As far as "terrorists" go - As horrible as the tragedy of 9/11 was, consider this: About 3000 people died on that day. 18,000 people die in the United States every year because of a lack of health care.

[John Scott]

18,000 people die in the United States every year because of a lack of health care.

Not really true. If it is a life threatening situation, hospitals are mandated to provide service regardless of ability to pay.

[navyfalcon]

Originally Posted by zibblu

Personally the issues I'm interested in are as follows (not necessarily in order but close to it):

1. health care
2. the environment
3. civil liberty
4. education
5. national defense (i would like to see America take a non interventionist stance like advocated by people like Ron Paul & Dennis Kucinich. the best way to protect our country is to stop pissing off crazy people with our intrusive imperialistic agenda.)

As far as "terrorists" go - As horrible as the tragedy of 9/11 was, consider this: About 3000 people died on that day. 18,000 people die in the United States every year because of a lack of health care.

I believe home security is a major issue and will become more important
health care is also a major issue
education should be addressed responsibly as we are falling behind
no matter how you address it the adjenda of weed legal or not is not a high priority
falcon

[John Scott]

Crime is still very high in the US. Perhaps it's due to a mentality of entitlement fostered by the Liberal Democrats. Whatever the cause, it needs to be dealt with.

[navyfalcon]

John, you having experience being in another country sometimes gives one a little better view of the US. Having been in the service, I have been in several countries including Japan. I think your experience in Japan gives you a better prospective on situations than those who have never been outside the US
As George Putnam says "Here's to a better, stronger America"
falcon

[krahmaan]

How about Ron Paul, why is he not on your poll?

When he just might be what this country needs.