Legalize marijuana? Schwarzenegger says let’s debate it | csmonitor.com — This is actually an issue that the Republicans can take to the bank (in more ways than one) if they jump on the legalization bandwagon. Obama has done nothing in this regard.
It wasn’t as though Arnold Schwarzenegger held a press conference with Cheech and Chong in the back of a van and said, “Whoa, I have this awesome idea, man…” The governor was asked if he would support the legalization and taxation of marijuana to help the state of California get out of its budgetary mess.
No, he doesn’t support that — at least right now. He said specifically, “No, I think it’s not time for that.”
It was the rest of his statement, however, that’s caused a stir around the pro-legalization world. The governor said it should be talked about.
“I think it’s time for a debate,” he said. “I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I’m always for an open debate on it.”
The United States as both an idea and a state was founded on the principle of liberty and justice. The constitution itself, from the first draft to the current version, specifies that all people are free to do whatever they want, with such and such exceptions. The government may not regulate anything except such and such. It’s a way of thinking where the default is liberty, unless there is a strong reason against restricting that liberty in a certain way. I see many arguments here that take it as an assumption that those who want pot legalized must make a convincing argument for why it must be deregulated. I say it’s un-American to think that way. Those in favor of restricting any freedom must make a convincing argument that it is necessary. And “it’s always been that way” is not a good argument to prevent something potentially faulty from being reviewed. If there is any significant number of people who think the law on pot should be under scrutiny, then it’s necessary to justify keeping it in existence, not justify why to take it out.
It’s strange to me how many people I’ve met outside the United States who would love to live here and enjoy the American way (the way the founding fathers meant it, the way the constitution is meant to protect it), and they can’t, while in the US so many of its citizens develop a basic mindset that has strayed so far from what made this country great.
#64:
‘Wanting to do something “just because I want to” is not a very responsible argument.’
Since when? I *want* to smoke pot. What’s wrong with that? What is the difference between this and wanting to drink a beer? Other than your own personal bias against pot smoking, nothing.
You’ve offered no reason why pot should remain illegal past some insipid argument that, ‘just because we can make it legal doesn’t mean we should.’
What a pathetic argument.
“that means you always wanted to jump off of bridges because everyone else did”
Again, this is a position only a moron would take. Seriously.
This is an argument from someone who can’t find any good reason to support their position. No numbers, no figures, no medical studies, nothing. Just some stupid, incessantly repeated cliche that is really just a sly attempt at lumping all pot smokers together as juveniles.
“You might attend some night and listen to what damage alcohol has done to people’s lives.”
So I have to suffer because less than 1% of the population can’t handle their booze? How does that work?
‘Then you won’t be saying “we don’t have a problem with alcohol”’
People in AA have a problem with alcohol. Just about everyone else doesn’t.
#66:
“I never got into the habit of drugs, so I am objective about it.”
I would argue that this makes you NOT objective about it. Otherwise, you’d realize that recreational use of most drugs is not a problem for most people.
Your argument is like saying a priest is good at giving marriage advice.
“When you do drugs, you don’t think there is anything wrong.”
Not hurting anyone else. Check. Enjoying in moderation, so I’m not hurting myself. Check.
Again, you believe that a mere sip of booze or a single toke off a joint causes harm. You’re in the minority. And you’re wrong.
“Its like being in an abusive household.”
Again with the loaded metaphors. It’s nothing like being in an abusive household.
“When you stop being in that culture and step outside. You will see just how much time, energy, money and stress”
Presumptuous.
I don’t hang out with addicts. I’m professionally employed. I spend more money on my cellphone than I do on drugs of any kind, including alcohol. I exercise regularly. I’ve never broken the law. I get along with my family. I’m college educated. I make charitable contributions.
And on and on. I’m also a typical recreational user. You just can’t believe that any upstanding person would ever drink or use drugs. Again, you’re wrong.
“We live in a connected world. What you do affects others. And what others do affects you.”
Why don’t we regulate birthing children, then – you’re all about costs to taxpayers, and one kid ends up costing you more than my drug use.
You might as well argue that no one have any privacy or be allowed to make their own decisions because everything is “connected.”
gag.
#64:
‘Then you won’t be saying “we don’t have a problem with alcohol”.’
You misunderstand what I’m saying when I say ‘we shouldn’t have a problem.’ I don’t mean that alcohol doesn’t cause problems. I mean that we don’t have a problem with it being legal. As in, it’s not dangerous enough to outlaw.