Mea Culpa [Updated]

As you know studying for the California bar exam has taken up much of my mental energy. Trust me when I say I’d rather be working on making Gary Johnson the next president of the United States. For the uninitiated, here’s some background about Gov. Johnson:

Gary Johnson is a father, entrepreneur, and former two-term governor of New Mexico.  As governor his common-sense business approach reduced taxes, cut spending, and consistently delivered the best government product at the lowest price to taxpayers.  He vetoed over 1000 new spending items, slashed government waste, enacted major welfare reform, and left office with a balanced budget and treasury surplus.  A staunch believer in individual liberty and limited government Gov. Johnson championed free choice initiatives such as school vouchers to foster entrepreneurship in education and provide parents of all income levels with options for their children.  Now the chairman of the OUR America Initiative Gov. Johnson travels the country advocating for a common sense business approach to federal governance premised upon significant spending cuts, a return to limited government, and loosening the bounds that restrain free enterprise.  This is necessary to preserve OUR America, and increase liberty and prosperity for every American.

Gov. Johnson also favors legalizing marijuana. Why? Because the war on drugs is stupid legalization of marijuana will eliminate a substantial portion of the criminal element of drug distribution, conserve human and law enforcement resources, and permit society to deal with drug abuse as a medical, not criminal, issue. More importantly, legalization of marijuana – unlike outright prohibition – is consistent with traditional American notions of liberty, the idea that we are born free to pursue happiness in the manner we see fit but may not infringe on the freedom of others. The principle that we should be free to choose – savor that phrase, Free to Choose – extends to choices that may be harmful, wasteful, or unnecessary. Motorcycles, for instance.

Legalization and common sense regulation of marijuana (e.g. no impairment and driving) is a better public policy than prohibition, and it is consistent with liberty.  Insofar as we disagree with our fellow citizens’ choices we may advocate against them. But we should not resort to government prohibition to prevent others from choosing, while establishing our choice as law. That is not limited government, and it is not freedom. Good government preserves our freedom to choose and holds us liable when the consequences of our choices adversely impact others.

For more information on Gov. Gary Johnson I heartily recommend his official facebook page, unofficial facebook page, official twitter feed, the OUR America Initiative homepage, and assorted grassroots organizations championing Gov. Gary Johnson for president.

Last but not least, here’s a gem from RodRadley Balko to brighten your day:

In a display of unified, bipartisan dimwittery, Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) are joining together to ban prepaid cell phones. Because an inept terrorist once used one in a failed plot.

If only we could get a terrorist to use a reactionary, grandstanding politician in some future plot. Maybe the government would finally ban those, too. [Ed. note: +1, ftw] Or at least no longer allow them on airplanes.

Agreed.

Socio-Political