Pubdate: Fri, 05 Feb 2016 Source: Times Argus (Barre, VT) Copyright: 2016 Times Argus Contact: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=OPINION03 Website: http://www.timesargus.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/893 Author: Sanford Johnson NO COMMON SENSE I understand from news sources that the Legislature is about to pass legislation to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Why? For years we have campaigned that smoking is bad for our health, now our legislators want to promote smoking, all for raising more tax revenue. They have listened to testimony from the medical community, law enforcement and others who have testified against legalization of marijuana, yet they are posed to pass it anyway. I look at our representatives and think, do they really care about the citizens of Vermont or is it all about tax revenue. They don't seem to be able to develop a budget and live within it. They're always looking to raise more revenue, many times raising our taxes rather than not passing higher and higher budgets or passing laws that require the cities and towns to increase their tax rates to pay for programs that the Legislature enacts. Is there any common sense in the State House on this issue? Sanford Johnson Orange - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom