Pubdate: Mon, 27 Aug 2012
Source: Winston-Salem Journal (NC)
Copyright: 2012 Piedmont Publishing Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.journalnow.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/504
Note: The Journal does not publish LTEs from writers outside its 
circulation area
Author: Wesley Young

LIBERTARIAN VP CANDIDATE: DRUG WAR IS A FAILURE

Libertarian vice-presidential candidate Jim Gray called the country's 
anti-drug policies a disaster on a trip to Salem College today.

Gray, a retired superior court judge from California, said the 
country's drug enforcement laws and efforts only put big profits into 
the pockets of major drug dealers without putting a real dent into 
the supply of drugs or their effects on society and the people who use them.

"We couldn't do it worse if we tried," Gray said. "Drug prohibition 
is the biggest failed policy in America."

Gray is on the Libertarian ticket with Gary Johnson, the former 
Republican governor of New Mexico, who served from 1995 to 2003 and 
vetoed legislation 750 times to earn the nickname of "Governor Veto."

Gray spoke to a small audience of about 20 at the college, and 
acknowledged before the meeting that his party faces a challenge in 
breaking through the dominance of Democrats and Republicans.

But Gray said that if he and Johnson could just get into the debates, 
they could convince voters that their party's blend of "minimum 
government, maximum freedom" would win over voters.

Meredith Barnes, one of the students listening, said she liked what 
she heard but isn't sure who she will vote for yet.

"I agree with everything he was saying," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom