Pubdate: Sun, 08 Jun 2003 Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY) Copyright: 2003 St. Lawrence County Newspapers Corp Contact: P.O. Box 409, Ogdensburg, New York 13669 Website: http://www.ogd.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/689 Note: Accepts LTEs by mail only! Must be signed w/phone# Author: Larry Seguin NOTE: Accepts LTEs by mail only! Must be signed w/phone# To The Editor: Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/campaign.htm (ONDCP Media Campaign) DRUG LAWS If Republicans in the House get their way, the nation's drug czar may soon have the power to spend millions of tax dollars to defeat pro-medical marijuana ballot initiatives and candidates. The idea is an unprecedented assault on our democratic system. The Bush administration wants to be able to put its finger on the scale of future elections. Once we allow the executive branch to use tax money to influence voters, we will have opened a dangerous door. Did you get that? The proposal would open the federal treasury to a federal official for the purchase of TV ads opposing local candidates deemed too soft on drugs (or what ever else they may not like-abortion-gun rights etc.). The prohibitionists are now damaging more than just the lives of recreational drug users, they are interfering in state sovereignty. A provision quietly slipped into this year's Office of National Drug Control Policy's authorization bill would give the White House office the ability to use its annual $195-million anti-drug advertising budget to oppose any initiative or candidate supporting the legalization of an illegal drug. The measure would turn the public treasury into a campaign chest for the president's party, allowing the White House to purchase radio, television and print ads in furtherance of its own political goals. The tactic of using the people's money to influence their views and election results has a familiar ring. Irag! Iran! North Korea! This should be disturbing to anyone interested in a limited federal government and comity, but House Republicans have a different view. They want to codify the drug czar's politicking and turn the ONDCP's annual $195-million advertising budget into a campaign war chest. A provision slipped into the bill to reauthorize the ONDCP would give the drug czar express authority to spend money to oppose any state ballot initiative to legalize drugs or any candidate favoring legalization. Stop Sec.707 of bill HR 2086. Contact John McHugh Phone: 202.225.4611 Fax: 202-226-0621 Address: 2441 Rayburn House Office Building Washington D C 20515-3224 E-mail: Larry Seguin Lisbon - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom