The Politics of Being Illogical

As I argued in a previous article, it makes no sense whatsoever to continue to criminalize and wage a costly battle against the cannabis drug. In an online forum with the public, where President Obama answered unfiltered questions sent in by millions, he would’ve been remiss to ignore the popularity of the one topic that kept popping up in different areas of discussion: the legalization of marijuana.

(It is inconclusive whether the popularity of the marijuana-related questions were the result of a voting campaign by particular interest groups, or in fact, the public at large is finding the issue of legalization much easier to digest given the condition of our economy.)

To his credit, President Obama did ultimately address the issue of whether marijuana should be legalized, albeit with a statement the U.S. Supreme Court would be proud of. Although the President did not explicitly state his opposition to the decriminalization of marijuana, he instead relayed his belief that it was not a “good strategy for our economy”.

I can fully understand that Mr. Obama’s primary concern, as it should be, is to lead our nation out of this deep financial crisis and use all the influence and negotiating acumen he possesses to create and pass the legislation that is probably necessary to keep our economy from falling much further.

It might appear to some, at least given the words from most of their members, that the Republican Party might be somewhat hesitant to give their full approval to all that President Obama seeks from Congress. Given the stress and opposition already in place, had he come right out and announced his support for the legalization of marijuana, his efforts to work with Congress for all of these economic and mortgage packages would’ve been made that much harder.

That’s not to say the savings and revenue realized from such decriminalization and resulting taxation would’ve been fictional or insignificant in any way. Just the opposite.

But in the world of politics and Washington, D.C., negotiations and conflict are a daily occurrence, and the microscope is so trained on the opposition, by both parties, that everything said or done can be used positively or negatively. Elections for 435 members of Congress are every two years, which essentially means they are constantly running for office. Good or bad, polls in their district will largely dictate what they say and do as Representatives. Even national polls may influence the talking points of national candidates.

For instance, it is definitively Unconstitutional to prohibit same-sex marriages, yet most politicians, including President Obama, have failed to support such a right, maybe because most polls show a lack of support nationally. Add in the factor of an opponent whose most vocal supporters would be energized by such an issue, and it instantly becomes a topic to largely avoid, regardless of how wrong it is.

This could be tied to the backlash against several Republican legislators in California I noted in another previous article. They decided, on their own, to act in a way they thought was best. Yet, because of their party, and a few vocal constituents, they could face political retribution.

This is politics. Speaking with vagueness; acting with polling support; rarely saying and doing the right thing before everyone else believes it to be the right thing as well.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

jim h.

2:36PM PDT on Apr 4, 2009

Gee Pete N. Is that supposed to be a Faux Jamaican accent or are you partially illiterate? It sounds like maybe smoking a little weed would clean some of the accumulated s**t out of your brain.

send a green star

Brian E.

3:43PM PDT on Apr 3, 2009

Write to the White House. your Senators, and your Representatives to decriminalize marijuana. NORML.org has excellent tools including the ability for people to be notified of ongoing activities and important votes in Congress. If marijuana is not decriminalized during President Obama's administration, it's only a matter of time before some smart politician realizes that open support for decriminalization is an election-winning strategy.

Pete N.

4:23AM PDT on Apr 3, 2009

Wow... the impact of da smoke is obvious in the number of delusional comments about the great economics of FDR and the greater efforts of the new der Schleekmeister... its no wonder Bill was ticked at the media... he huffed and puffed, and Obama did too... Obama gets away with ten times what du Bubba el Clintonesta EVER thought of... Yeah..

Yeah, keep on tolken folks... inhaaaaale deeply... hold it, hold it... aaaahhhhh... yeah...

War M.

9:51PM PDT on Apr 1, 2009

I am a conservative on most issues but when it comes to this I agree with the libs. Legalize it, tax it, decriminalize it and get over it. Personally, I think spending your days getting drunk or high is a tremendous waste of time, but I respect your right to do whatever detrimental thing you want to do to your own body. I have seen equally the negative effects of marijuana and alcohol abuse. I have also seen many people enjoy both recreationally without adverse effect on their lives.

"For instance, it is definitively Unconstitutional to prohibit same-sex marriages"...maybe in your opinion it is. Definitively unconstitutional? No. If that were the case it would already be legal.

Vivianne M.

11:40AM PDT on Apr 1, 2009

I have a problem, it is the attitude Of people like Paul N. who make general statements with any information.
This plant was made illegal by the oik companies that were making drugs out of the oil they were getting. They spent million of dollars to figure out how they could make drugs out of it. They made a bill to stop the use if marijuana plant so they could sell their products for the oil. They used yellow journalism to help make laws to stop all uses of this plant.
This is why the plant is illegal. and for no other reason. There was never a problem with this plant before . The pharmacy's used it in over 60% of their prescriptions. There are over 200 different items that come from this plant.
During the civil war,this plant provided sails for the war ships,and the government wanted the people to grow it for that reason. That is why Washington grew it. Not much different then the president growing vegie's on the white house lawn.
The law was made for the oil companies to make more money,just like they are trying to do now to our forests and coast lands.
I have smoked marijuana for the majority of my life. I have helped people where ever I could, passed petitions to help people have a better life,to stop the destruction of our planet,have helped children have better lives,grown food to feed people,and have worked for the legalization of this herb. It has been used to tear a part ou constitution and the bill of rights.
I am not a couch potato, and nether wer

Gerardo B.

9:27AM PDT on Apr 1, 2009

I forgot to make another comment. A person I have known for many yrs. Said, 'If America made pot legal, Mexico would in financial trouble and other problems,etc. What do youall think??

8:54AM PDT on Apr 1, 2009

Pam Miller... yes, 29 years of law enforcement and federal service i have seen the destructive nature of alcohol...

I have also observed the destructive nature of MANY other addictions/behaviors which destroy individual lives, friends, coworkers and families.

God Bless you and your recovery...

I have also observed the care, love and courage of the addicted and folks with other habitual behaviors... that courage to take responsibility for their actions along with friends, family, medical, social workers, couselors and loving volunteers in various organizations who play a part in that ongoing recovery...

There is an unfortunate class of people in the media and social sciences who've become a society of blamers and excuse makers instead of taking action meant to heal all involved...

So, yes, I say if a person wants to live a life revolving around their habitual behaviors that are NOT productive in this society, then move on to where those activities are accepted!

7:51AM PDT on Apr 1, 2009

I had a talk with my dad,age 87 about pot,he has been around pot, mostly the use for curing illnesses. On the cure part, it interested me alot, I'm into natural cures with the use plants(herbs). The herb,Catnip, used to calm can also give the same affect as pot,this herb id legal. San Pedro,used for nervous conditions,cardiac desease and high blood presure, for those that want a spiritual entheogen, this plant will do it. It is illlegal, so cultivate it for gardening/ornamental purposes(get it?). Back to the talk I had w/dad. My question to him was, What the heck is goin on with the legal/illlegal discussions about pot, his remark: 'If American kids did't use it, we would not have a problem'. In my oppionnion: FREEDOM to choose for yourselve. Note: We should bitch about the horrible stuff big pharma and fda is doin in regards to harmful drugs--they made them legal???? Damm!!

Pamela M.

4:28AM PDT on Apr 1, 2009

I could not read past Pete N., I am a gratefully recovering alcoholic and I see that Pete has no understanding of the addiction problems that face our Country. People don't become addicts or alcoholics because they are lazy, some may be but it has nothing to do with their illness. As I have stated before most addicts in this Country today are addicted to prescribed medications which were pushed by lobbyists and now find themselves in just about every home in America.
In my opinion making a case for or against marijuana does not really have a point now, I saw yesterday that the Government stopped the distribution of certain painkillers that have been being used but were not yet approved by the FDA. These are the things we need to stop my friend, these drug pushing Doctors; just a couple of years ago the main drug problem here was Methamphetamine, now it is any kind of pain killer they can get a hold of.
I stand by what I said before as well, don't bother legalizing it; just leave it alone. There are too many real problems out there including the use of alcohol and prescribed drugs. There are too many jails and not enough treatment centers, and no matter what your opinion in America; you are allowed to have it, so go ahead Pete and tell us to all move to another Country; but majority rules in America (or it is supposed to). So maybe you will be the one moving, because most of the people I know from my generation have no problem whatsoever with marijuana.

Cherie C.

5:28PM PDT on Mar 31, 2009

prohibition law.... sorry