Pubdate: Thu, 25 Oct 2012
Source: Kitsap Sun (WA)
Copyright: 2012 Kitsap Sun
Contact: http://web.kitsapsun.com/scripts/letters.html
Website: http://www.kitsapsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4404
Author: Pam Dzama

POT USE ISN'T IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AND OTHER BALLOT PICKS

The ballots arrived last week and in addition to electing those who
will represent us there are a number of ballot measures which must be
decided. The following are my recommendations on those measures.

Is it in the public's best interest to increase marijuana usage?
That's the question I asked myself when deciding how to vote on
Initiative 502, which would decriminalize limited use of the drug.
Would there be support for making cigarette smoking legal if
possession of cigarettes were illegal today? Knowing what we know
about the health hazards related to smoking, I doubt it. Yet the most
common way marijuana is used, like cigarettes, is through smoking and
inhaling the substance.

Why is I-502 being proposed today? According to supporters it's to
"free law enforcement resources to focus on violent crime, provide
billions in new revenues for Washington State, take away profits from
organized crime and protect our youth."

Medical marijuana possession and use is already legal in Washington
State, although the federal government doesn't support that position.
Expanding the availability of the drug for recreational use would
still be in conflict with federal laws.

How are the proceeds from this drug-tax to be used? In addition to
administering the program, information in the Voters' Pamphlet says
the state is to spend the money on " ... a survey of youth regarding
substance use ... web-based public education materials about health
and safety risks posed by marijuana use." The rest of the money would
be "distributed as follows: 50 percent for the state basic health
plan; 15 percent for programs and practices aimed at prevention or
reduction of substance abuse; 10 percent for marijuana education ...
and one percent for research on short-term and long-term effects of
marijuana use ..."

So Washington voters are being asked to legalize marijuana so that,
among other things, the state can spend money surveying kids about
drug use, creating educational materials about the "safety risks"
associated with the use of the drug we're being asked to legalize and
researching the long and short-term effects of this drug's usage.

This is crazy and leads me back to my original question. Is it in the
public's interest to legalize and thereby increase the use of
marijuana? Considering recreational use of this drug is still in
conflict with existing federal laws there's no need to expand the
availability of mind-altering drugs. I urge a No vote on I-520.

Initiative 1185 requires that any tax or fee increase must be passed
by at least two-thirds of the legislators. This law was adopted in
2010 by 65 percent of Kitsap County voters. Unfortunately the
Legislature can suspend initiatives with a simple majority vote two
years after they're passed. Legislators need to be reminded the voters
were serious when they imposed the two-thirds vote necessary to raise
taxes. Please vote Yes on I-1185.

Initiative 1240 allows a limited number of public charter schools to
be created. According to the state constitution educating children is
the premier responsibility of the state. To fulfill that mandate it's
imperative every option is available, including the flexibility
provided by a limited number of charter schools. Educating children is
the focus, not the current school bureaucracy. Please vote Yes on I-1240.

Referendum 74 seeks to affirm the vote of the Legislature in
redefining marriage. Supporters of the referendum define the central
issue as one of "fairness." It's only "fair," they say, that we treat
all relationships as "equal." The fallacy in this argument is that all
relationships are not equal. While men and women are of "equal" value
to society, they're not the same. This referendum seeks to make them
identical.

Whether you believe in Darwinian evolution or Divine creation, there's
a reason men and women are biologically different. A "marriage"
between Mary and Jane or Steve and Sam will not be able to create
children. They may love and care for each other but the state should
formally recognize relationships which have the ability to produce the
next generation. Marriage is about more than the bond between two
loving people. Please support the traditional institution of marriage
as a union between a man and a woman. Reject R-74.

I urge a Yes vote on both state constitutional amendments, Engrossed
Senate Joint Resolution 8221 and Senate Resolution 8223. ESJR 8221
would gradually reduce the state's debt limit from nine to eight
percent and SR 8223 would allow certain specified funds of the
University of Washington and Washington State University to be
invested in private stocks and bonds.

Watch out for the goblins wandering around the county next Wednesday.
And, no matter where you fall along the political spectrum please make
sure to cast your vote on or before November 6.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt