Pubdate: Wed, 10 Mar 2004
Source: Daily Herald (IL)
Copyright: 2004 The Daily Herald Company
Contact:  http://www.dailyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107
Author: Jason Turuc, http://www.mapinc.org/writers/Jason+Turuc

WHAT DOES EDUCATION FOR ALL REALLY MEAN?

I hear the candidates talking about college for all; I was wondering
if this means they don't support the current laws that refuse
financial aid to students caught smoking marijuana.

I don't think that should stop anyone from getting an education.
Millions of people smoke marijuana, more than anyone thinks - parents,
grandparents, bosses, co-workers and anyone in between. I can safely
say that for every profession, every race, every group of people, and
even someone you know has smoked or still does smoke marijuana. Our
government should not punish people who are trying to make better
lives for themselves by not giving them the chance to go to school
because they have in the past smoked or currently smoke marijuana.

What will happen in the long run is we will end up with poorer and
less-educated people. Sending them into a downward spiral. Once again,
these drug-war tactics result in causing more harm than good. This is
working backward and will always have a negative effect on this
nation. Life is full of crossroads, and sometimes people take the
wrong path. With this law in effect, many Americans are forced to take
the wrong path, leading them away from education. Forcing them toward
the path of the unknown, which leads nowhere. Is this fair? This is
not what this country was built upon! I would like to know what each
of the candidates plans to do about this, and if they are including
theses people in their plan for education for all?

Jason Turuc

Schaumburg
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake