Pardon all non-violent drug users = 10+ Million Votes!

[TNTCAN]

This idea could generate MILLIONS of VOTES for Dr Paul

"During 2006 the total Federal, State, and local adult correctional population — incarcerated or in the community - grew by 159,500 persons to over 7.2 million. The growth of 2.3% during the year was about the same as the average annual increase in the correctional population since 1995 (2.5%). About 3.2% of the U.S. adult population, or 1 in every 31 adults, were incarcerated or on probation or parole at yearend 2006." (http://www.drugwarfacts.org/prison.htm)

Great Grant Parents, Grandparents, Parents, Brothers, Sisters, Cousins, In-laws and Friends; if each person that is tied up in the legal system for drug use, got only 2 people to vote for Ron Paul? How about 5 each.

 

[kotetu]

We really do need to get this message out to the minority communities. They have been hit the hardest by this "war on drugs". Using drugs is not a good idea, in my opinion, but to put users in prison will just make them into harder criminals.

 

[Mental Dribble]

you lose your ability to vote when you are convicted of a felony and it would take more than just a pardon to get it back, you have to go through the court system, and in many states its complicated.

 

[Paul10]

....

 

[TSOL]

I don't do drugs. Had my fun as a youngster experiementing ...

But the war on drugs is a joke. This is an old link; but interesting

http://www.ukcia.org/research/DutchPolicyAndCrimeStatistics.html

Press, Public and Cultural Affairs

Drug Policy and Crime Statistics

Recent accounts in the U.S. press about the Netherlands drug policy have included incorrect and misleading statistics about drug use and drug-related crimes in the Netherlands. What follows is a short list of facts and comparisons to refute those accounts, and sources are given to permit and encourage third party verification of facts.

Last month use of cannabis (marijuana) by high school seniors:
18.1% in the Netherlands (1996);
23.7% in the U.S. (1997).
(Sources: The Trimbos Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Monitoring the Future Survey, University of Michigan and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy)

Any lifetime use (prevalence) of cannabis by older teens (1994):
30% in the Netherlands;
38% in the U.S.
(Sources: Center for Drug Research, University of Amsterdam; Monitoring the Future Survey, University of Michigan and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy)

Recent (last month) use of cannabis by 15 year olds (in 1995):
15% in the Netherlands;
16% in the U.S.;
24% in the U.K.
(Sources: Trimbos Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Monitoring the Future Survey, University of Michigan and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; Council of Europe, ESPAD Report)

Any lifetime use of cannabis by 15 year olds (in 1995):
29% in the Netherlands;
34% in the U.S.;
41% in the U.K.
(Sources: Netherlands Institute of Health and Addiction, U.S. National Institute for Drug Abuse; Council of Europe, ESPAD Report)

Heroine addicts as a percentage of population (in 1995):
160 per 100,000 in the Netherlands;
430 per 100,000 in the U.S.
(Sources: Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport;
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy)

Murder rate as a percentage of population (in 1996):
1.8 per 100,000 in the Netherlands;
8.22 in the U.S.
(Sources: Netherlands Bureau of Statistics; White House Office of National Drug Control Policy)

Incarceration rate as a percentage of population (1997):
73 per 100,000 in the Netherlands;
645 per 100,000 in the U.S.
(Sources: Netherlands Ministry of Justice; White House Office of National Drug Control Strategy)

Crime-related deaths as a percentage of population:
1.2 per 100,000 in the Netherlands (1994);
8.2 per 100,000 in the U.S. (1995).
(Sources: World Health Organization; Uniform Crime Reports, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Per capita spending on drug-related law enforcement:
$27 per capita in the Netherlands;
$81 per capita in the U.S.
(Sources: Netherlands Ministry of Justice; White House Office of National Drug Control Strategy)

 

[coastie]

Wow, who were the five (as of now) that voted "no"?

I cannot imagine a Dr. Paul supporter having a rational explanation for that.

 

[BeFranklin]

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=87910&page=5

We need a money pledge page that describes the issues and facts mentioned on this thread, including the terriable effects this is having on families and our country, how Ron Paul would pardon all non-violent drug users.

 

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

I'm ready to canvas in Compton, Watts, Long Beach, South Central.... just give me some material.

 

[BeFranklin]

Image for new MLK pledge site:

 

[Ilhaguru]

War On Drugs Clock:
http://www.drugsense.org/wodclock.htm

 

[BeFranklin]

Rosa Parks image for new MLK site - need source for this?

 

[Jhe]

Felons may not be able to vote, but their loved ones CAN.\
Consider if your child was incarcerated, would you take the time to vote for a chance to get them out?

This same tact can be allied to the war; the way I put it to my mother is vote for Paul or Kucinich or your sons 14 and 18 are already on their way to the middle east. I think fear of the draft is an un-tapped issue.

Kind of makes sense; destroy the economy so everybody is dirt poor, then offer a lucrative signing bonus for the military. It costs them nothing to print more dollars!

 

[BeFranklin]

///

 

[plb]

Are there any videos out there of him saying this directly? Get them on youtube, digg etc...

 

[AEMsupra]

Wow, who were the five (as of now) that voted "no"?

I cannot imagine a Dr. Paul supporter having a rational explanation for that.

i voted yes but i dont have to agree with everything paul says to be a supporter

 

[niall]

Let's find blogs, support forums, etc., and make sure relatives of drug "offenders" know about RP.

Here's one: http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/

 

[BeFranklin]

Pardoning all non-violent drug users would instantly save a *LOT* of money, and have drastic and immediate beneficial effects on all levels of government, not just federal.

 

[jp5065]

I don't think this is going to get us any votes though.

I would say most conservative voters would rather have drug offenders in jail than on the streets.

But I don't think its a bad plan once he gets in office.

 

[pcosmar]

you lose your ability to vote when you are convicted of a felony and it would take more than just a pardon to get it back, you have to go through the court system, and in many states its complicated.

Please do NOT spread this FALSE CRAP.
Most states restore rights on the completion of sentence.
Some states do it automatically, some you need to apply.
Every State is different.
I Know this because I am an Ex-Felon
I VOTE

What are the laws governing felon disenfranchisement?

Each state has different rules regarding when and whether individuals can vote once they have been convicted of a felony; individuals who are convicted of federal felonies fall under the felon disenfranchisement laws of the state of their residence. Thirteen states permanently disenfranchise convicted felons; eighteen states restore voting rights after completion of prison, parole, and probation; four states re-enfranchise felons after they have been released from prison and have completed parole; thirteen allow felons who have been released from prison to vote, and two states do not disenfranchise felons at all.

http://www.reformelections.org/feature.asp?menuid={2C21F24C-F920-4FAE-81E2-715512C100BA}

 

[dawnbt]

I don't think this is going to get us any votes though.

I would say most conservative voters would rather have drug offenders in jail than on the streets.

But I don't think its a bad plan once he gets in office.

Most people who have family and friends incarcerated over this drug war are black! Most who vote are Democrat! This is how we could win over Democratic voters!!