Group discussion... Legal Marijuana

Ryder Spearmann

From the meeting today...

The issue over hosting a debate on leagalizing MJ came up, and there was much (unresolved) discussion about hosting such a debate.

Lets continue that discussion here....

Backing off the issue for a second, let's first consider what might constitute a good topic for SL republicans. We would agree that a debate on on Playstation vs XBOX would NOT be a good debate for our group, even though that happens to be a very big topic!!! It's just not a match for the idea of a Republican or conservative perspective.

So on that basis... even though the MJ debate might be large and important, we have to decide in the light of our identity as a group.

Topics that define us as a party are clearly best, but we might also consider hosting debates on the basis of trying to get to a better understanding of an issue... and we could host the event... providing a forum, but not taking a side in it.

Regardless... let the discussion begin Smile

-Ryder-

marcburmeister Bury · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Iowa

How about illegal immigration and the specific topic of amnesty?

Floyd Merit · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 30

illegal immigration would be an ideal subject. i wouldn't be very useful to the pro-enforcement side of that debate, but as far as big open topics which can be debated, immigration is one. school choice is another.

something i wanted to remark on. if we are to have debates as a regular thing, i think it would be interesting if some of those debates were between disgreeing factions within the right. narcotics legalization would be a good example of this. the immigration issue would be another, and so on. in fact, i think some of those debates would be easier to handle and more interesting to spectate vis a vis the general community than typiccal left-right bickering.

Robbrail · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 18 Location: Northern California

I like the idea of debating broad issues. Other interesting topics off the top of my head:

Universal Health Care - cost vs benifit

Taxes - Fair, Flat, Progressive, or no changes needed

Freedom of Speech Vs Political correctness - does freedom to speak equate to license to say anything without repercussions

Social Securtiy - Overhaul or Abandon

Pork Spending - Is it a necessary political tool or just waste?

As for the MJ debate, on second thought it might not be the best debate for us to host, most republicans have a libertarian streak in them, and it would shock the libs too much if many of us agreed with them. (though the reasons some agree are probably much different than most libs)

-Robb Rail
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ReenaZenovka · Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

The immigration issue is an excellent to debate. Something has to be done about the lack of security on our southern (and yes northern) borders. Someday soon it will not only be Mexicans crossing over, but possibly Iranian or Venezualen terrorists intent on hurting us.

I am thinking in the terms of "You can't worry about the water in the boat until you fix the leak." Yes, amnesty sucks, but it's the reality of the situation. If the folks are not criminals, are working, and generally contributing to society in a productive way, well they should be allowed to stay. Possibly a fine should be paid, but come on, we need good people in this country. We need to secure the border before the decisions can be made about those here already.

It's a slippery sloap.

I think the MJ debate is an important one. For both parties. We could fund the Iraq war for another 20 years if pot was legalized. Not that we want to be at war for another 20 years.

Times are changing and America has bills to pay.

Legalizing MJ will not rip a hole in the moral fiber of America, or create armies of cheesy poof munching stoners. We live in a world where I can look at as much porn as I want anytime of the day, I can go out and buy a gallon of vodka if I like, I can buy a carton of cigarettes and give myself lung caner if I want. MJ is really not "worse" than any of these things anyway.

I realize that medicinal legalization & general legalization are two different things, and folks have two different sets of opinions on it.

But, if you ask me the only reason both are still illigal are because it is still "socially unacceptable". Think back to the reasons why and when it was outlawed in the first place. Prohibition people. We all need to move on.

Just my humble opinion, and my first post!