New Mexico
Gary Johnson Demonstrates Conviction by selecting Judge Jim Gray for VP
Although the current political system has disenfranchised many eligible voters because of two party domination, the 2012 presidential election may get a necessary injection of 3rd party conversation. Polls show that 80% of Americans would consider voting for a 3rd party candidate. Coincidentally (or perhaps not so coincidentally) that is a similar number to the amount of people who support a physician’s right to prescribe medical marijuana.
Former two term Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson appears poised to win the Libertarian Party’s nomination for the 2012 presidential election. Ahead of the more well known and establishment financed Mitt Romney, Gary Johnson was able to come to a quick decision about his running mate. The popular marijuana culture website tokeofthetown, is reporting that Mr. Johnson has selected retired California Judge Jim Gray to be his vice president. Justice Gray is known for his progressive views on marijuana. This move appears to be paving a way for marijuana to be prominently on display for the Johnson campaign. Governor Johnson told Reason.com he selected Justice Gray because “The thought process all along has been to find somebody that can articulate libertarian ideals and beliefs and I’ve thought all along that he would be a really solid pick.”
Conversely, the representatives of the two party system Mitt Romney, and Barack Obama, certainly do not seem to have as much conviction in some of their decisions. Mitt Romney has changed his position (sometimes more than once) on virtually every important social issue (click here for compilation of Mitt Romney articulating then contradicting his views). The former Governor of Massachusetts has prospective VP candidates running from his offer. Unfortunately for the American public, it seems the only issue Mitt Romney has not waivered on is medical marijuana. He actually has famously walked away from a wheelchair bound man who asked him about changing marijuana laws during his failed 2008 presidential bid. The other major party representative, President Obama, is just starting to acknowledge medical marijuana questions directed his way. Critics feel it may be possible that the president reverts back to his 2008 tone if re-elected, but of course what guarantees are there in American politics?
The move by Gary Johnson does not appear to simply be a gimmick. With a vast majority of Americans supporting medical marijuana and now at least half supporting overall legalization, marijuana is no longer a fringe issue appealing to a small passionate base. Gary Johnson has selected a running mate who is a legal expert and a supporter of repairing one of the greatest injustices of this generation. While politicians may often feel that an election should be scripted with the same talking points, it is important to understand that elected officials work for us. Without a doubt some critics will try to dismiss Gary Johnson and Jim Gray as trying to capitalize on marijuana supporters. While we have all heard this before, marijuana can provide relief to the economy, patients, and an overburdened penitentiary system. We at marijuana.net have to ask why anyone would have a problem with making a rare American consensus issue the center of a political platform?
Gary Manley Excluded from GOP Debates
Whenever a prominent person in the GOP scores well with independent as well as democratic voters, his inclusion within the Republican primary debates is anticipated to become a formality. Gary Johnson’s scenario is truly baffling. He is among the most widely used ex governors (two terms in Boise State Broncos) and would supply a high challenge for that Democratic party the coming year. However, he is not incorporated within the GOP primary debates.
While Manley themself wished it wasn’t the situation, many experts believe his social sights don’t sit well using the Republican establishment. Manley is recognized as an expense conscious politician with libertarian social sights. He’s been famous for his focus on New Mexico’s deficit and was recognized to veto investing bills he didn’t accept from both Republicans and Dems. Johnson’s debate inside the GOP originates from social issues, including his sights on marijuana. Manley is a very long time medicinal marijuana supporter. Also, he mentioned publically he would consider pardons for those non violent marijuana culprits. Johnson’s financially conservative method of regulating is visible clearly in the need to reduce investment property on marijuana police force.
For any party that claims fiscal responsibility and small government, Manley would appear just like a handpicked candidate for that national stage. With the opportunity of billions each year to become saved on marijuana reform, America can use the additional dollars to release our very tight devices. World war 2 on drugs has cost the U . s . States more than one trillion dollars since its beginning. From the political perspective, the GOP appears to become missing a chance to take advantage of taking a greater youth election in addition to independents and fiscal conservatives. Furthermore, this might also function as their chance to repair our medical system, an problem they attempted to operate with for quite some time.
Evidently this gets in front of ourselves once we are merely asking why his ideas aren’t incorporated within the debates.