So the real test of whether Alex is going through a “Libertarian phase” or whether he’s already a died-in-the-wool Republican is whether he agrees with Frank and Paul.

What I find amusing about all of this, is that Bob Barr is the Libertarian Candidate. The same Bob Barr who was rated as one of the most conservative of the conservative Republicans in the 1990’s.

Of course weed like alcohol if over indulged may cause you to wake up with some strange bed-fellows.

Thanks for the heads up on this HR bill. The 2005 poll cited would lead readers to believe that the co sponsors of this bill are “out of the mainstream” of what Americans want. Nevermind that having 51% of a poll or even voters decide anything, while often called a “democracy” in action, is still mob rules mentality. The bottom line is that the federal government has overstepped its boundaries, made a huge overreach, etc. with draconian and hypocritical drug laws. The real culprits behind the curtain are big pharma who in no way shape or form want the public to be able to cultivate and self medicate ANY medicinal products without a cut going to themselves. Marijuana just happens to be a sustainable agri-crop that can be grown in every state in the union… plus keeping it illegal keeps the prices high for the drug dealers themselves. Big guvment, gotta love it, so efficient.

Take a look at where the drug war started… Richard Nixon’s “Blue Ribbon Committee”… another liberal move in republican “less government” garb.
http://www.csdp.org/publicservice/nixon06.htm

Nice to know that 77% of Republicans believe that the government has the right to control an individuals body. Where’s that “small government” when you need it?

I just love Democrats - is there really nothing these sleazebags will do to atrack the lowest common demoninator in our society. Let me guess, get the slimebags on drugs, on welfare, and then they will vote for us. And you guys complain about the corporatists?
P. S. Ron Paul is a Libertarian or Independent, not a Republican.

I nominate this as the dumb comment of the week:

“Legalization of marijuana, no matter how it begins, will come at the expense of our children and public safety. It will create dependency and treatment issues, and open the door to use of other drugs, impaired health, delinquent behavior, and drugged drivers.”

News flash to the DEA: Anything you say about marijuana is equally true about alcohol, but more so. I’ve never known anyone who drove under the influence of pot … after smoking a joint, you’re lucky if you can get them off the sofa, much less into their car to drive home.

The stupid thing about all this is that while indulging in the harmless relaxation of marijuana is a federal offense, I’ve seen people smoking a blunt on the Metro platform. I’ve often walked down the street and smelled it wafting from somebody’s yard. Yet those of us who have assets must keep away from it, because of federal forfeiture law.

One other problem - simply decriminalizing possession is insufficient. Under Missouri law, growing marijuana is a felony - even a single plant. Unless you legalize growing it for personal use, legalizing possession ends up making people purchase product of unknown original, from people who are committing a felony by trafficking in it.

FINALLY, a word about the Gallup poll (available at the link below). it’s important to note that the results varied significantly by age - even in the face of constant anti-drug propaganda, 47% of those between 18 and 29 support legalization, while only 22% of seniors support it. So while prohibition seems popular today, time is not on its side.

http://www.csdp.org/research/gallup_marijuana_2005.pdf

I’m really disappointed. After all of the impassioned speeches I’ve seen on this site on behalf of “Freedom” and “government, stay out of my business”, are there really no conservatives who have the guts to say that the government shouldn’t regulate a drug that, as far as I can tell, has not been shown to be any more harmful than alcohol or cigarettes? Kinda makes it seem to me that the right-wingers who post on this site are far more committed to the Republican party, however corrupt it has become, than to any ideals such as small government.

Whoops, I started my comment before Nick’s was up. I’m glad he stands on his principles. Any other real “small government” people out there? Alex?

Ron Paul is the only real Republican on the stage. The rest are Republicrats, the oppose personal liberties, personal responsibility and accountability, limited government and sound free market financial policy. OF COURSE the DEA condemns the resolution to legalize marijuana, that’s their job security! And of course the neocons voted in favor of keeping it illegal, because that affords government more control over our lives, the same agenda that the “Democrats” have. The two parties are no longer two parties at all, they just disagree over the best way for Big Government to spend the money it is stealing from you and your grandchildren. Read the Constitution folks, this is exactly why the Revolutionary War took place. Next the Government will be telling us what we can or cannot have for dinner in our own homes and claiming the laws forbid us to eat anything that the FDA has deemed unhealthy for us!

Though I never smoke it myself, I favor total legalization of marijuana since the harm and threat it poses does not rise to a level at which government intervention is justified.