Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jun 2005
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2005 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Anthony Lorenzo
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n994.a03.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

PROPOSAL A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY

I am appalled at County Commissioner Tony Masilotti's attempt to
impose restrictions on the county commissioners and their private lives.

First of all, alcohol is legal, and what a commissioner does in his or
her free time, provided it doesn't harm others or risk the health of
others, is that commisioner's business.

Second, as a taxpayer, I don't want my money being used to invade
anyone's privacy, let alone the county commissioners'.

Third, I don't agree with the drug war. The only drug that will stay
in one's system long enough to be detected more than a few days is
marijuana, better known as Cannabis sativa. I am not interested in
catching cannabis consumers. In fact, I would prefer more cannabis
consumers elected to government, so we can end the insanity of the war
on drugs.

Second point of law, the charter would have to be amended to require
testing of commissioners as this is a change to the structure of
government. We the people decide who should serve in elections, and it
is not up to the commissioners themselves to determine criteria
without our consent about who can and cannot serve.

I applaud each commissioner who has personally asserted their rights
to privacy by refusing to acquiesce to this idea. Commissioners Mary
McCarty, Karen Marcus, Masilotti and Burt Aaronson should all be
replaced as supporters of this policy who are willing to sacrifice
their own rights. If they are willing to sacrifice their own rights,
what are they willing to do with citizens' rights?

It is politicians like this who have forced me to register with the
Green and Libertarian parties, which have a more sensible platform on
drug policy and personal freedoms.

Anthony Lorenzo

Sarasota
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin