Yes, Ron Paul is bad.

[RainDog]

112. I'm not defending Ron Paul

and neither is the OP.

you have a category of people you think have determined the Ron Paul is going to legalize weed - or at the least make it an issue. Actually, I sort of agree with you there about one such category of Paul supporters. I've mentioned this before and been told by some it was a ridiculous statement, even tho someone else here said that's exactly how he began his political involvement. I've seen this in quite a few young men too. I don't support it - I'm just noting it.

Quite a few who support Paul because of legalization tend to be younger techie guys who are low information on a lot of other issues. Paul sounds good to them b/c of his stance on legalization - they align with others who support Paul and those others talk about Paul's stances on various social spending issues and taxes, etc. Because these younger techie guys don't have kids, they don't care about school funding, libraries... they like the idea of pretending they are somehow totally autonomous, even when they aren't. some of this probably has to do with mommy and daddy issues, growing up but not yet grown up... but who knows. So this is how one issue can make them Paul supporters.

however, aside from Ron Paul supporters, ALL political groups other than conservative and republican support legalization of cannabis. - all political ids. All regions except the south. Even when a group is not in support, the margins are small and moving toward legalization - this is the national trend and has been for decades. even those in their 50s and mid 60s only come in at 49% not in favor. the only other groups who come down against legalization are retirees and mommies - and that, in itself, is a reason for some young guys to look at Ron Paul. While there are no doubt a lot of young men who are sort of crazy, they have their reasons for their support, even if I think it's misplaced.



I wish that Democrats would be able to come to a position that at least works toward decriminalization in order to recognize that the future of this nation is not in prohibition of cannabis. The reality is that people vote for Democrats because we have so few choices and none that can win that represent the majority of Americans on legalization or economic and social issues. American liberals are far to the left of any political party representation.

However, I also recognize that even if no national politicians, or a very few of them at the House level, come out in support of changes in cannabis laws, the action at the state and local levels are going to change the law. I just wish the Democrats would show some support for science rather than kowtow to the fear.

It's just a matter of time. I recognize that national politicians do not lead on a variety of issues. To be elected they have to maintain the status quo. But the people in a nation bring them to the point of change, eventually. Even Lyndon Johnson came around on civil rights politically, whatever his private position may have been.