What's so bad about cannabis?

Submitted by Anne Julienne (Australia), Jul 23, 2016 at 22:29

To Peter: You seem to imply that pushing for the legalising of cannabis is a major offence, a "mortal sin" as they say in some Christian circles. There are sound moral, medical, and economic arguments for legalising cannabis. There are no good grounds for closing off the debate altogether.

To Daniel: I think it's time for the 70% (according to some polls) of #NeverTrumpNorHillary Americans to simply say "NO" to the binary political system and vote for Johnson. Not as a mere protest vote but seriously. Could you not seriously countenance Johnson/Weld in the Oval Office? I find it scary myself because they are still unknowns or outsiders but the prospect is nevertheless much less scary than either Trump or Hillary. *Someone* has to become POTUS and it's time to back someone rather than no one.

Johnson himself has said of Cruz's RNC speech: "He did say to vote for Gary Johnson, didn't he? And that was 'vote your conscience.'" It's as close as Cruz could come to endorsing Johnson. He did pledge to endorse the eventual nominee and he has asserted that the pledge was abrogated when his family was attacked by Trump. But it's clear that he's not prepared to go further than that, that is, to criticise Trump or to openly endorse a different candidate. He's done the closest next best thing: he's asked people to "vote your conscience" and that *has* to mean avoid voting Trump *or* Hillary.

It *has* to mean choosing among 1) writing in, 2) voting Johnson, or 3) abstaining from voting for the president. Clearly option 2) is the only option that could conceivably deliver a different president from Trump or Hillary. Some analysts can even see Johnson being *literally* propelled into the presidency, not merely as a vehicle for a protest vote. He is running neck and neck with Trump and Hillary in Utah and he is way ahead of either among active service people. In the three months between now and November, he actually *might* gain enough support to win.

If people like Beck and Bush and your own good self would openly and enthusiastically endorse him, then I don't see why Johnson couldn't even win. In these internet days things happen fast and in this election cycle .. well .. anything, just *anything* can happen!

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