Pubdate: Thu, 24 May 2007
Source: Pique Newsmagazine (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Pique Publishing Inc.
Contact:  http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2356
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n623/a02.html
Author: Keith Fagin

GIVE ME A CANDIDATE LIKE LARSEN

Re: Pot activist wins NDP nomination (Pique May 17)

Although I have never met Dana Larsen in person I do know about his
work on social issues over the years.

If Dana was running in my riding in Calgary, Alberta I would vote for
him. That would be the first time I would have voted for a NDP
candidate in my 48 years of life and almost 30 years of my being an
active voter.

Why? Let me tell you why.

I have seen the harms caused by prohibition of cannabis. I have read
the government commissioned credible scientific drug study data
calling for legalization of cannabis that still continues to be
ignored by our governments to this very day, sadly. I know why too.
Votes! Fear mongering will get more votes. Lying will get more votes.
Sadly many people seem to believe if they see it in the media it must
be true.

Additionally, with Mr. Larsen's other priorities I would vote for him
without concern he would walk away from his commitments.

"His priorities will be fighting for tough action on climate change,
fairness for families struggling with the high cost of long-term care
and tuition fees and implementation of the civil rights policies,
which parliamentary committees have advocated."

In my mind Mr. Larsen is not the typical politician we Canadians seem
to be stuck with for all these decades. He is up front and truthful,
even with issues that are not the most popular vote getting issues.

Give my riding a candidate like Mr. Larsen; not afraid to step up and
tell the real truths about Canada's (not so popular for vote getting)
social ills and publicly say they will actually do something to
improve our society and remove the harms caused by prohibition and
implement the policies set forth by parliamentary committees. I will
do my part and vote for said candidate in the next election.

Keith Fagin

Calgary