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RainDog

(28,784 posts)

29. Legalizing Marijuana is Not a Far-Leftist Position

Tue Dec 20, 2011, 10:31 AM

Dec 2011

Last edited Wed Jan 11, 2012, 08:38 PM - Edit history (1)

when 500 economists sign a petition to legalize marijuana the position is not far leftist.
http://economics.about.com/od/incometaxestaxcuts/a/legalize_pot.htm

when Joe Klein, in Time Magazine (which is considered centrist at most) writes about legalizing marijuana, it is not a far-left position.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1889166,00.html

when a Gallup poll finds 50% of Americans favor legalization (vs. 46% opposed) - it's not a far-left position.
http://reason.com/poll/2011/10/18/new-gallup-survey-majority-of

As you see from this survey, support for legalization is the majority opinion among liberals, moderates, independents, Democrats, people from ages 18-49 (with 49% support for ages 50-64.)

Instead, what this poll indicates is that a failure to take action to legalize marijuana is a conservative and Republican position - the one group that does not favor the Obama presidency without doubt.

Obama's refusal to address this issue puts him in the same camp as the far right.

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President Obama's puzzling silence on marijuana policy [View all] RainDog Dec 2011 OP

He totally spaced out and missed it. Scuba Dec 2011 #1

or has caved to pharma and the prison industry. I don't think he is that spaced out. bbgrunt Dec 2011 #42

On this one, I just think he's choosing his battles. tblue Dec 2011 #94

Munchies will do that. boppers Dec 2011 #121

There's a laundry list of issues that are important to young people SixthSense Dec 2011 #2

Time for those same young people to start demanding their parents vote (D). DCKit Dec 2011 #3

They did that SixthSense Dec 2011 #5

I said "progressive Democrats". DCKit Dec 2011 #6

people who work in drug policy reform RainDog Dec 2011 #8

Then that needs to be done in primaries SixthSense Dec 2011 #11

young voters are HUGELY ticked off that their issue has been laughed off RainDog Dec 2011 #9

This is one of the most ridiculous statements I've seen posted here. MjolnirTime Dec 2011 #50

I didn't say it was only an issue for young people RainDog Dec 2011 #61

Obama does not deserve my vote. Maybe Ron Paul does, Rageneau Dec 2011 #100

Ron Paul is so principled he supports discrimination. Sorry you fell for his bullshit. MjolnirTime Dec 2011 #104

I find Ron Paul disgusting but that statement is absolutely true Bjorn Against Dec 2011 #112

The only reason anyone would support Ron Paul is because they haven't done any research. MjolnirTime Dec 2011 #136

"I was going to decriminalize marijuana, but then I got high" aikoaiko Dec 2011 #4

Lol! RiffRandell Dec 2011 #47

1 in 3 American Youth Are Arrested By Age 23 RainDog Dec 2011 #7

I agree, except I don't find it "puzzling" Enrique Dec 2011 #10

Not necessarily RainDog Dec 2011 #12

Obama has a crappy Med Marijuana policy for the same reason that he sold us out truedelphi Dec 2011 #87

Control the $$$$-Screw the Patient Rights fredamae Dec 2011 #13

You got it SixthSense Dec 2011 #15

Law Enforcement is the Primary Opposition fredamae Dec 2011 #23

when marinol was classed as schedule II RainDog Dec 2011 #19

My wife was prescribed Marinol during third round of chemo, it Dragonfli Dec 2011 #124

that's what made me aware of this issue - medical cannabis works RainDog Dec 2011 #127

OT "Raindogs" is one of my top 10 favorite albums of all time. banned from Kos Dec 2011 #14

This message was self-deleted by its author Romulox Dec 2011 #17

Obama hasn't been "silent"--he has actively ramped up a crackdown on Medical Marijuana. Romulox Dec 2011 #16

you misunderstood that post RainDog Dec 2011 #18

No. I didn't. Obama is in charge of the DEA, DOJ; He's a committed Drug Warrior. Romulox Dec 2011 #20

lol RainDog Dec 2011 #21

That's cool. ONE DAY you'll solve the mystery of who appointed Eric Holder, Michele Leonhart!` Romulox Dec 2011 #25

And he will remain silent until AFTER the election. nt Countdown_3_2_1 Dec 2011 #22

Obama hasn't been "silent"; He speaks through his POLICIES: Romulox Dec 2011 #24

Why is remaining silent on an issue where speaking out would be political suicide mysterious? Donald Ian Rankin Dec 2011 #26

Legalizing Marijuana is Not a Far-Leftist Position RainDog Dec 2011 #29

Well done! n/t i_sometimes Dec 2011 #32

you might want to check out the Drug Policy Forum RainDog Dec 2011 #37

I can attest to i_sometimes Dec 2011 #60

I fear the Party of NO fredamae Dec 2011 #30

It would not surprise me - legalising cannabis would make a Republican look moderate. Donald Ian Rankin Dec 2011 #46

yet almost half of the population of the U.S. lives in places with legal medical marijuana RainDog Dec 2011 #68

It's not a far left position, it's a position that would make a politician be viewed as far left. Donald Ian Rankin Dec 2011 #89

thanks for the reply. You're right - it's not a far left position RainDog Dec 2011 #118

I think politicians are probably accurately gauging electoral/media response. Donald Ian Rankin Dec 2011 #132

The issue may have changed just a bit - Gary Johnson is going to run for prez as a libertarian RainDog Dec 2011 #133

You're essentially asking, "Why do the right thing, if someone might criticize me?" They're called Romulox Dec 2011 #34

No, I'm not, you're simply wrong about that. Donald Ian Rankin Dec 2011 #45

Those are the thinnest slices of hair I've ever seen! Bottom line, you defend the status quo. nt Romulox Dec 2011 #58

Bottom line: no I don't, and your comments are both false and rude. Donald Ian Rankin Dec 2011 #90

I get what you're saying. randome Dec 2011 #59

Only if the person you're talking to wants to "win" rather than to communicate. N.T. Donald Ian Rankin Dec 2011 #91

"Political suicide"? SixthSense Dec 2011 #35

Sorry... nebenaube Dec 2011 #107

Anecdotally speaking, I have not seen 'the youth' united in demanding marijuana legalization. randome Dec 2011 #27

I know. You have not seen many things concerning this issue RainDog Dec 2011 #31

Thanks for setting me straight on how I perceive reality. randome Dec 2011 #33

I can link to discussions with you in which you simply deny reality RainDog Dec 2011 #36

Link away. randome Dec 2011 #39

go to the Drug Policy Forum RainDog Dec 2011 #40

Every poll you list has to do with medicinal use of marijuana. randome Dec 2011 #49

no. the first two have to do with entirely legalizing RainDog Dec 2011 #51

You're right about those first 2 links. randome Dec 2011 #52

so you're not going to bother reading any of the reports or studies? RainDog Dec 2011 #56

Creationism? Nope. You still have me pegged wrong. randome Dec 2011 #57

here are answers to your questions RainDog Dec 2011 #63

A thoughtful response and I appreciate that. randome Dec 2011 #66

With the number of LEGAL narcotics spewed out Tsiyu Dec 2011 #72

I think I know why that is. randome Dec 2011 #74

lol RainDog Dec 2011 #73

You don't have to smoke cannabis, you can use a vaporizer or ingest it combined with food. Uncle Joe Dec 2011 #76

I already said I think incarceration is stupid. randome Dec 2011 #77

The problem is that would still be prohibtion leaving all the dynamics in place Uncle Joe Dec 2011 #78

There will always be prohibition of something. randome Dec 2011 #79

That should be its' own thread, but as this one is referring to cannabis Uncle Joe Dec 2011 #81

*You* support the Drug War. Why try to put *your* views in the mouth of "the Youth"? nt Romulox Dec 2011 #41

I don't support the drug 'war'. randome Dec 2011 #43

Right. You just *really, really* understand where the Drug Warriors are coming from. nt Romulox Dec 2011 #82

Apparently I understand the nature of a paradox. randome Dec 2011 #83

No. You don't. Because that's not a "paradox", it's just inconsistency on your part. Not the same. Romulox Dec 2011 #84

Well, I do benefit... i_sometimes Dec 2011 #28

Another clue in this mystery: "Joe Biden, Drug Warrior" Romulox Dec 2011 #38

Obama never ran on legalizing Reefer. And he wouldn't be reelected if he did. MjolnirTime Dec 2011 #44

Just promise you won't use your hammer for evil... randome Dec 2011 #48

since when does an issue that has favorable polls across all demographics- RainDog Dec 2011 #53

It's America, RainDog. randome Dec 2011 #54

Post #29 says otherwise ("across all demographics"). boppers Dec 2011 #123

pardon me. slight exaggeration. majorities across ALL political id's except for Republicans RainDog Dec 2011 #126

He did make specific and detailed statements regarding policy that he needs to uphold Bluenorthwest Dec 2011 #55

With a world economy in shambles, frazzled Dec 2011 #62

FDR ended prohibition and it spurred the economy RainDog Dec 2011 #64

Money should not be part of this discussion. randome Dec 2011 #67

FDR did not end prohibition by himself treestar Dec 2011 #96

lol well if you really really really really believe it, it must be true grantcart Dec 2011 #98

FDR and the End of Prohibition RainDog Dec 2011 #115

The issue is not whether he supported it after it was approved by the party but why he didn't lead grantcart Dec 2011 #139

I am not bashing Obama on this issue RainDog Dec 2011 #142

btw, grantcart, I am really surprised to see you lying outright here RainDog Dec 2011 #117

+1 This is absurd. treestar Dec 2011 #95

Yeah so the State can i_sometimes Dec 2011 #108

There was federal law on it too treestar Dec 2011 #119

What are you saying? i_sometimes Dec 2011 #134

The clinics were being investigated for violating federal regulations regarding medical marijuana treestar Dec 2011 #135

There are no Federal i_sometimes Dec 2011 #141

this is not true RainDog Dec 2011 #145

here's a link about that situation RainDog Dec 2011 #146

Ah, yes. The economy is in trouble, so we shouldn't get distracted Doctor_J Dec 2011 #137

The only "science" involved is economics. comipinko Dec 2011 #65

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Dec 2011 #69

I don't see a big downside for Obama in supporting marijuana legalization aint_no_life_nowhere Dec 2011 #70

Try "making it far less likely he'd be reelected". Donald Ian Rankin Dec 2011 #148

I think it is probably an enviable position loyalsister Dec 2011 #71

people are losing their jobs because of the LEGAL medical marijuana trade in states here RainDog Dec 2011 #75

Does anyone believe that it would be easier than HCR or extending unemployment? loyalsister Dec 2011 #101

Getting out of the drug war game would greatly decrease the reach of the police state TheKentuckian Dec 2011 #88

Enviable? SixthSense Dec 2011 #99

So they can't walk and chew gum at the same time? What a dumb post Doctor_J Dec 2011 #105

The problem is they won't loyalsister Dec 2011 #125

I don't think Obama has to fight to legalize mj RainDog Dec 2011 #128

Yeah, its hard doing two things at once. i_sometimes Dec 2011 #109

K&R n/t Shining Jack Dec 2011 #80

More so-called "silence" from Obama's DOJ: "Feds Shut Down Marin Pot Club" Romulox Dec 2011 #85

K&R (n/t) a2liberal Dec 2011 #86

I don't think there is any puzzling silence.. it's pretty clear that Obama supports the WOD. lib2DaBone Dec 2011 #92

I can't believe the number of people who cite politics as justification for Obama's silence.... mike_c Dec 2011 #93

The private prison industry would never permit decriminalization. NorthCarolina Dec 2011 #97

Yes.. that sums it up. Prisons equal "PROFIT". lib2DaBone Dec 2011 #102

Not that puzzling - he ran as a liberal, and is governing as a far-right conservative Doctor_J Dec 2011 #103

Ya think there just might be a few hundred more pressing issues for him to deal with these days? RBInMaine Dec 2011 #106

Linky? eom i_sometimes Dec 2011 #110

No, actually, I don't. Donald Ian Rankin Dec 2011 #111

But the Pen Stoke needs solid main stream justification so people can get over their fear freedomnow Dec 2011 #113

here's a link to the Miron study RainDog Dec 2011 #129

I was looking for your defense! Not disappointed! Logical Dec 2011 #122

It is odd. It'd be low-hanging fruit to save taxpayer dollars, stimulate the economy, etc. DirkGently Dec 2011 #114

A question for all of you who feel Obama is silent on this for political purposes or electability FlaGatorJD Dec 2011 #116

Michele Leonhart's track record of undermioning state law.. red dog 1 Dec 2011 #120

It's a moral issue, and shameful that Obama has not had the courage of his convictions. Kurovski Dec 2011 #130

Try Marinol ... legal prescribed pill made of THC in pot. freedomnow Dec 2011 #143

it is not as effective RainDog Dec 2011 #147

Try Marinol ... legal prescribed pill made of THC in pot. freedomnow Dec 2011 #144

Not on my formulary. Kurovski Dec 2011 #149

As an active JackInGreen Dec 2011 #131

The president has abandoned many of his 2008 voters Doctor_J Dec 2011 #138

Sadly he listens more to "Dance with the ones who bought you" Marrah_G Dec 2011 #140