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joshcryer

(62,536 posts)

82. Politically it's probably low on the radar, but socially and economically, it is very high up.

Mon Jan 20, 2014, 02:59 AM

Jan 2014

People might have only recently jumped on the bandwagon for marijuana legalization, but the social and economic damage that the drug war has caused is very very bad for the country. It's costing taxpayers billions, it's causing economic stagnation probably in the tens of billions. Due to alcohol consumption it's probably killing thousands, etc, etc.

The social consequences of the drug war are innumerable.

To say that Obama only acts due to polls is I think wrong, I think that Obama chooses to act because of polls, but I think deep down and personally he's been for legalization. He just didn't have the right time to do it. 2 weeks after CO goes green? Yeah, OK, looks like a safe bet. Arrests didn't explode, the world didn't end, reefer madness didn't consume the state, etc, etc.

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Obama shouldn't 'evolve' on anything. [View all] Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 OP

The evolution of views happens rapidly enough that it's hard to predict the future. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2014 #1

He did? Was he wearing a mask? Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #4

Well he has minions. And not the cute little ones. MyNameGoesHere Jan 2014 #30

Yeah, he should stay stuck in a mind warp like ol Cha Jan 2014 #2

I doubt evolution of his personal views has anything to do with his public stances. El_Johns Jan 2014 #3

I'm all for evolving. tblue Jan 2014 #5

Hear! Hear! BlueCaliDem Jan 2014 #52

Sadly Blue_Adept Jan 2014 #113

Should/shouldn't. Why has the President evolved his stance on pot? DisgustipatedinCA Jan 2014 #6

You're both wrong. randome Jan 2014 #9

I realize it gets you off to tell me that I'm wrong DisgustipatedinCA Jan 2014 #14

I meant postulating that he received some sort of 'special insight'. randome Jan 2014 #20

I'm pretty certain myself that you're correct about this--no special insight DisgustipatedinCA Jan 2014 #39

Polls. joshcryer Jan 2014 #78

When politician's views change whenever opinion polls change, MannyGoldstein Jan 2014 #7

As if there were ever any other kind... Helen Highwater Jan 2014 #34

Is he actually thinking about legalizing pot? That would be interesting considering that most Number23 Jan 2014 #8

Those laws are used to disenfranchise a lot of blacks Fumesucker Jan 2014 #16

I'm sure you know that I am a black woman. Which makes your attempts to goad Number23 Jan 2014 #19

You were the one who said disenfranchisement was as important as flag burning Fumesucker Jan 2014 #22

I said legalizing MJ was considered about as important as flag burning to people Number23 Jan 2014 #23

You said the same thing about MJ as my conservative white neighbors Fumesucker Jan 2014 #24

I'm sure there's a reason they felt you were sympathetic. Number23 Jan 2014 #25

Yeah, they get defensive too Fumesucker Jan 2014 #31

Yeah, judging by how defensive and irrational you are in this thread Number23 Jan 2014 #35

You'd be surprised how many Americans have a loved one touched in a bad way by the drug war Fumesucker Jan 2014 #91

it's racism, the thing is minorities face racism in many areas of their lives, you don't think JI7 Jan 2014 #99

I think the person I responded to sees pot legalization as a libertarian issue Fumesucker Jan 2014 #110

You read so much that isn't there. Your posts have been absolutely shameful and beyond idiotic Number23 Jan 2014 #126

And considering that has absolutely fuck all to do with ANYTHING that I've said Number23 Jan 2014 #127

I think he's very open to the idea now... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #26

"it isn't a major issue." Couldn't agree more. And the calibre of the folks so determined to MAKE Number23 Jan 2014 #28

But it IS a major issue Scootaloo Jan 2014 #37

What you're saying is fine. But I'm just saying that in terms of what people are marching about Number23 Jan 2014 #40

I wasn't even going to touch the race issue Scootaloo Jan 2014 #73

That's true until you start talking about their special snowflake Fumesucker Jan 2014 #95

I disagree completely that "this isn't a major issue" fujiyama Jan 2014 #44

I meant in the eyes of the country... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #69

Actually 58% now say is should be legalized. progressoid Jan 2014 #38

Thanks, and that's good to know. I don't doubt that those polled are mostly in favor Number23 Jan 2014 #42

I think once the people see the economic imact it has in CO and WA progressoid Jan 2014 #47

Do you have any articles handy on how it's helping the economies in those regions? Number23 Jan 2014 #130

Colorado One Year Later: Thousands Not Arrested for Marijuana, Millions of Dollars Saved progressoid Jan 2014 #134

And I think you're correct. BlueCaliDem Jan 2014 #55

he didn't shift on gay marriage until the polls did either joshcryer Jan 2014 #64

Yup. n/t progressoid Jan 2014 #67

it's being primed as a 2016 issue joshcryer Jan 2014 #62

Politically it's probably low on the radar, but socially and economically, it is very high up. joshcryer Jan 2014 #82

As long as he arrives at the right conclusion CFLDem Jan 2014 #10

I would settle for a President that reflected OUR views as Democrats... Demo_Chris Jan 2014 #11

This is ProSense Jan 2014 #18

It would be a surprise if Cha Jan 2014 #49

Well said. nt woo me with science Jan 2014 #61

So, after all the insults you tossed at me, you "would've liked Obama to speak out... polichick Jan 2014 #12

+1000 Katashi_itto Jan 2014 #15

What insults? Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #27

"Calling a spade a spade is not an attack. It's the truth." That's what I do re the prez. polichick Jan 2014 #29

It's interesting you can lob insults at Obama and yet get the least bit offended... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #36

Where are the quotes in which I "lob insults at Obama?" polichick Jan 2014 #43

Prove me wrong... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #45

Your rudeness and ignorance is clearly on display - proven all by yourself. polichick Jan 2014 #46

Your lack of facts was apparent from the start. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #48

I could say that your whole view is warped by an infantile fascination... polichick Jan 2014 #50

Like I said before... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #53

Read more carefully - I agree when I agree and don't when I don't... polichick Jan 2014 #56

I'm not taking it personal. The only reason I got into this debate is because you misstated a fact. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #57

Oh yes, I used a figure of speech and said "the whole country" - what a crime... polichick Jan 2014 #63

Your point was flawed because you assumed a huge majority supported it... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #68

The potential benefit is huge - leadership is about real people and their lives... polichick Jan 2014 #74

You're right about that. Which is why his decision was commendable... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #75

My intentions are about standing up for justice - not about propping up... polichick Jan 2014 #76

Got it. You get to decide when it's acceptable and not acceptable to come out in support of it. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #77

All you've got is personal attacks. polichick Jan 2014 #85

No...that's where you're wrong. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #89

Agree, he's done it to me too Katashi_itto Jan 2014 #104

Thank-you. I've seen him do it to others too... polichick Jan 2014 #105

Most likely that would be best tactic, just a massive ego operating there and not much else Katashi_itto Jan 2014 #106

"massive ego operating there and not much else" - True dat! polichick Jan 2014 #117

It might be the best to just put me on ignore... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #114

I don't put anyone on ignore - would hate to miss the laughs. polichick Jan 2014 #115

Likewise. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #116

Insults against the president come with the territory. morningfog Jan 2014 #70

Why do people have such a hard time praising the President? Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #72

Praise is a strange word to focus on. morningfog Jan 2014 #98

Not at all... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #112

DU has the BOG if you want a criticism free zone. morningfog Jan 2014 #118

I don't want a criticism free zone... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #119

I don't see constant hate here. morningfog Jan 2014 #120

When you constantly criticize the President, it's hate... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #121

That is not the definition of hate. morningfog Jan 2014 #122

Yeah it is. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #123

That is still not the definition of any DUers I've seen. morningfog Jan 2014 #124

Praise be to Obama! (feel better now?) Dragonfli Jan 2014 #131

"talking about showing up"? Huh? joshcryer Jan 2014 #79

Why wait until the polls turn? Leaders LEAD. People are still going to jail for... polichick Jan 2014 #86

And they will for many years yet. joshcryer Jan 2014 #87

"uber pragmatist" is one way to put it. polichick Jan 2014 #88

It's the "nice way" to put it. joshcryer Jan 2014 #93

The nice way? Maybe, but I'm not convinced it's about color... polichick Jan 2014 #100

Of course not. joshcryer Jan 2014 #101

"Bipartisan" is one thing - a cabinet of corporate tools is another... polichick Jan 2014 #103

BS, he campaigned on a bipartisan cabinet. joshcryer Jan 2014 #107

Read more carefully - re bipartisan cabinet. polichick Jan 2014 #108

Wait two years. joshcryer Jan 2014 #109

I meant that yes, he said the cabinet would be bipartisan, but no... polichick Jan 2014 #111

he said he'd put republicans on it! joshcryer Jan 2014 #125

It might be cool to evolve ahead of the general public and lead sometimes. TheKentuckian Jan 2014 #13

The general public, while polling "yeah sure, it shouldn't be a lock-up offense :shrug:"... Schema Thing Jan 2014 #17

Exactly. But some on DU consider this the quintessentially most important issue ever Number23 Jan 2014 #21

Interesting. I hadn't thought about if from that angle. Schema Thing Jan 2014 #128

If his evolution on pot has begun Politicub Jan 2014 #32

Hey you, Politicub.. Cha Jan 2014 #51

Yeah, who needs a President that listens to the people anyway! JaneyVee Jan 2014 #33

So that would be an admission that we were right? progressoid Jan 2014 #41

Being as rigid as Teabaggers.... AlbertCat Jan 2014 #54

Obama didnt evolve frwrfpos Jan 2014 #58

*Gasp* So many insults! You must hate our prez!!! polichick Jan 2014 #65

thank you frwrfpos Jan 2014 #66

No, the only empty tin cans are the ones Cha Jan 2014 #71

Indeed, seems we had the same thought. joshcryer Jan 2014 #81

Thank you for your perspective, joshcryer. I'm actually Cha Jan 2014 #83

+1, hemp and medicine will finally be researched. joshcryer Jan 2014 #84

Obama's not a dictator. The DoJ is not his to control. joshcryer Jan 2014 #80

.. Cha Jan 2014 #90

Yup, Phillips / cigarette industry is estatic, though. joshcryer Jan 2014 #92

Good ol Colorado.. born and raised there. :) Cha Jan 2014 #94

CO rocks. joshcryer Jan 2014 #97

Is this a joke? The DOJ is headed by AG Holder, who serves at the President's pleasure. Romulox Jan 2014 #129

You still have to act within the constitution. joshcryer Jan 2014 #132

Yes. At least he showed up. davidthegnome Jan 2014 #59

I applaud his evolution. 100%. Just like I applaud Glenn Greenwald's political Luminous Animal Jan 2014 #60

This screed demonstrates nothing so much as your determined ignorance and suicidal partisanship. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #96

Anyone who isn't politically naive knows how Obama feels about weed. MADem Jan 2014 #102

Obama's public stances will reflect public opinion. Shoulders of Giants Jan 2014 #133