Dr. Paul needs to talk about war on drugs more

[kylejack]

Barry Goldwater favored de-criminalizing marijuana.

Yes, he and Ron Paul were very similar, aside from Barry Goldwater talking about how he'd turn Vietnam into nothing but mud. Certainly had a penchant for the dramatic.

 

[DjLoTi]

Lets stop talking about drugs

Lets start talking about HEMP. The benefits to society.

Here's a 1942 video made by the United States Department of Agriculture

About the benefits for hemp. Please watch, only 13 minutes.

http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/105691/Hemp_for_Victory.html

 

[SeanEdwards]

Yes, he and Ron Paul were very similar, aside from Barry Goldwater talking about how he'd turn Vietnam into nothing but mud. Certainly had a penchant for the dramatic.

LOL check out this Barry Goldwater quote:

In response to Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell's opposition to the nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court, of which Falwell had said, “Every good Christian should be concerned,” Goldwater retorted: “I think every good Christian ought to kick Falwell right in the ass.”

 

[CurtisLow]

Lets start talking about HEMP. The benefits to society.

Here's a 1942 video made by the United States Department of Agriculture

About the benefits for hemp. Please watch, only 13 minutes.

http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/105691/Hemp_for_Victory.html

cool video!
In clip 13:08 you can see a guy falling from the rigging of the ship. Wonder if he lived?

 

[Bradley in DC]

Dr. Paul is at his best, and doing well with, talking about the principles and goals of government. Of course, the Iraqi War is the most important issue of the day and differentiates himself well from all of he other candidates--Republican or Democrat (confirmed by Michael Scheuer at the National Press Club event).

While it certainly helps to educate drug war opponents about Dr. Paul's position on the issue (not a federal issue), we need to focus on winning the Republican nomination. If supporters of the idea of raising this issue can formulate a reasoned argument--preferably backed up by recent polling of likely Republican primary voters, then let's have that discussion.

More practically, when Dr. Paul starts getting traction in the polls, his opponents are sure to raise the issue. They tried this--and failed--in the Congressional races. This issue, me thinks, will be the canary in the mine: when Rudy, et al. attack Dr. Paul on the drug war, THEN we will have confirmation that he's threatening them.

 

[joenaab]

There is no reason to avoid the issue of ending the Drug War, but I think its not a good idea to march it out in front of other issues, only a few of which need be spotlighted to win the election. If need be, focus on marijuana, hemp and medicinal marijuana, but steer clear of total decriminalization. This can be promoted on the Internet, but not in the mainstream.

Remember, people who support the end of the drug war will know right away that Ron Paul is their candidate.

Issues to pound home that have the most traction:

1. End of War, End of Interventionalist policies
2. Lower taxes, balanced budgets and the end of the Income Tax and IRS
3. Restoration of civil rights & liberties, repeal of Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act...
4. Small Federal Govt, shift power to the States where it is more accountable
5. Deregulation of Health Industry (here's a demographic to target!)
6. National Sovereignty, withdrawal from UN, WTO, IMF, NAFTA, etc.
7. Immigration and border defense
8. Monetary Reform, close the Federal Reserve, Sound Money

Promoting drug decriminalization has the potention to backfire, none of the above do.

 

[4Horsemen]

"Prohibition... goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control mans' appetite through legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not even crimes... A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our Government was founded."
-Abraham Lincoln (December 1840)

 

[cujothekitten]

Not so sure that is a good idea. In the socialy conservative republican party of today war on drugs is not on the table.

Yes it is a great position for the young and socialy liberal but right now we need to win the republican primary. Once we get to the general election that position becomes a more powerful one.

I disagree. My dad had cancer and he'd be better off with marijuana than without it. It took him 2 years to wean himself off morphine. Both my parents are sick of the drug war and think marijuana should be legalized along with every member of my family. Even my grandfather (who also has cancer) thinks marijuana is harmless. I think the older generation sees marijuana is a helpful substance and are a little more open to it being used. I really think society is ready to talk about the drug war.

 

[Bradley in DC]

I disagree. My dad had cancer and he'd be better off with marijuana than without it. It took him 2 years to wean himself off morphine. Both my parents are sick of the drug war and think marijuana should be legalized along with every member of my family. Even my grandfather (who also has cancer) thinks marijuana is harmless. I think the older generation sees marijuana is a helpful substance and are a little more open to it being used. I really think society is ready to talk about the drug war.

I suspect anecdotally that you're going to be right in the future but that most likely Republican party primary caucus voters aren't there yet.

 

[lucky]

Lol

Oddly enough, most people I talk to, hardcore Republicans included, think the Prohibition of marijuana is ridiculous.

I am one of those hardcores and have thought the war on drugs is rediculous. Most everyone I know is a Republican and also thinks so. In fact I have only known one or two that thought Marijuana should be prohibited. Seems most have the wrong idea about who and what a Republican is. We think that the war on drugs is a power ploy toward big brotherhood.

The Feds do not own my body or spirit and should not have any say so on what I put into it.

 

[Anne]

Seems most have the wrong idea about who and what a Republican is. We think that the war on drugs is a power ploy toward big brotherhood.

The Feds do not own my body or spirit and should not have any say so on what I put into it.

Right on!!!!!!!!! A true conservative abhors the government telling him or her what they can smoke in the privacy of their own home.

It's just the Neocons and Moral Majority types who want to regulate our lives.

So are we going to pander to the Neocons and Moral Fascists in this election or to the real Republicans, Conservatives, Libertarians, and Liberals who are on our side?

Ron Paul will never get the vote of the Neocons who are pro-war, anti-drug so why spend our time trying to get their votes?

 

[Mindbinder]

Right on!!!!!!!!! A true conservative abhors the government telling him or her what they can smoke in the privacy of their own home.

It's just the Neocons and Moral Majority types who want to regulate our lives.

So are we going to pander to the Neocons and Moral Fascists in this election or to the real Republicans, Conservatives, Libertarians, and Liberals who are on our side?

Ron Paul will never get the vote of the Neocons who are pro-war, anti-drug so why spend our time trying to get their votes?

Because "the middle of the road people" are being told by mass media that Ron Paul is a radical liberal who is running in the wrong party. If he starts coming on strong about legalizing weed, then he is a going to be painted as a "peace-loving, pot smoking hippie". Fair or not, this would scare off a lot of conservative voters and ruin his chances in a republican primary.

 

[jimmy1954]

I am sure they will make ‘The War on Drugs’ an issue during one of the debates in the hope of knocking Ron Paul out.

I think we will all drop our jaws and hold our breath as Dr. Paul begins to answer. I am sure he has all the facts and figures to debate ‘The War on Drugs’ issue. After he answers, all of the Neo-Cons will pile on him.

On the next day, Ron Paul’s YouTube subscriber numbers will double, 50,000 more young people (55 and under) will register republican and the Ron Paul Meet-up groups will increase by 15 percent.

Jimmy

 

[NewEnd]

I am sure they will make ‘The War on Drugs’ an issue during one of the debates in the hope of knocking Ron Paul out.

I think we will all drop our jaws and hold our breath as Dr. Paul begins to answer. I am sure he has all the facts and figures to debate ‘The War on Drugs’ issue. After he answers, all of the Neo-Cons will pile on him.

On the next day, Ron Paul’s YouTube subscriber numbers will double, 50,000 more young people (55 and under) will register republican and the Ron Paul Meet-up groups will increase by 15 percent.

Jimmy

me too. the war on drugs has gone on long enough, drug use has skyrocketed since it began, and DARE created more drug use if you look at the graduating classes.

People have been openly smoking pot since the 60's, and now they are the middle class.... I know many who still do. I thought they were all liberals, until I found out conservatives smoked weed too.