Pubdate: Fri, 05 Dec 2008 Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB) Copyright: 2008 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.medicinehatnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833 Author: Bonnie Walton DRUG USERS, NOT NECESSARILY DEALERS, COULD BE GOOD SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR FEDS I know many people feel the proposed coalition is un-Democratic, and that they are the problem but these three political parties are acting as a result of Conservative actions that started the whole thing. Harper and his Conservatives are also thwarting the Democratic process. If they left the per-vote political party funding alone, I would then be fine with them. As it stands, I am more inclined to approach GG Jean with a request to leave the government in under certain conditions. One of the problems of limiting our government to one political party is that good ideas can come from many sources; we need a variety of people, skills and beliefs in parliament simply for a variety of perspectives and solutions. I don't care where a good idea comes from, as long as it is a good idea. On a personal level, we are not doing anything different financially as we know this too shall pass. The government needs to address the fact that there are a great number of people who do not have that luxury. As jobs disappear, and mortgages foreclose, retirement funds shrink and strain is placed on charitable organizations for food and shelter, the government will need to intervene in some way to weather this storm. Where it is okay for us to wait, it is not okay for the government to do the same. If the government wants to make some big bucks, here is a good idea. There is money to be made elsewhere by ticketing drug users who possess just enough drugs to avoid being called dealers. Personal use it is called. Right now they are ignored because the courts would be packed with a lineup down the street and around the corner, and around the next corner as well. It is also too expensive to prosecute so the users are left to continue. Law enforcement wants bigger fish. Here's my plan: $135 first offence, $265 second offence, $500 third offence and court-ordered rehab. There would be a good number of people quitting, a great number of young people who would feel this just isn't worth it. Parents are more likely to find out what the kids are up to when mail from the police department is in the mailbox requesting payment, and a good number of people in trouble would be dealt with properly. And the dealers would move on. In the meantime this is a major cash flow to cover needs for those who are less fortunate. Problem solved. BONNIE WALTON Medicine Hat - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath