SHMIV wrote:I'm more concerned with making sure that we aren't surrendered to the first invading nation, and trimming a bunch of alphabet agencies out of the government. Getting the debt under control. Re-securing the 2nd Amendment. Let's fix the big stuff. Otherwise, none of it matters.
We have the biggest military in the world. By a lot. And almost all of the next biggest militaries in the world are our allies so I think we're pretty safe against some imaginary invading army. I agree with trimming alphabet agencies and getting the debt under control but neither Republicans nor Democrats have had any interest in those objectives. The largest push to constrict the 2A didn't even get out of the Senate, and while some states added more restrictions other states loosened their laws. While the goal is to continue pushing to gain back what was lost, I'm not worried about it coming under attack with a Republican controlled Senate to join the Republican controlled House.
SHMIV wrote:I've often said that the Libertarians should just join the GOP. My only concern is that the Libertarians need to prioritize. Right now, we have far greater concerns than legalizing pot, who can marry and who can't, etc.
I think you'll have to see true conservatives take control of the Republican brand before you see Libertarians getting on board. As long as the McCains, Grahams, Romneys, and Gillespies control the Republican messaging you'll see Libertarians not want to bother siding with Democrat-lite.
Sure it's easy to dismiss legalizing pot as some low-priority task and reduce the issue to a picture of some stoners on a couch, but drug legalization is the domino that starts knocking down other dominos (some which weave in to what you consider higher priorities).
1. Drug legalization is a prime issue that outlines personal freedom, the foundation that this country was founded on. As long as I am not harming anyone else, I should be allowed to smoke a plant. A plant mind you that was legal to grow and consume up until the last 100 years. You are for continuing the founders' vision of limited government and maximum personal freedom right?
2. Drug legalization puts pressure on our criminal justice system which is responsible for us having the largest prison population in the world despite the US only making up 5% of the world's population. At least 50% of those inmates are in for drug offenses. You wanted to save money right? Let's not put so many people in cages for such petty offenses.
3. Drug legalization puts pressure on ending the war on drugs. You wanted to save money and start chipping away at those alphabet agencies right? Not only can money be saved by not funding such a failed attempt at prohibition, but countless number of police officers, citizens, and pets can be spared from maiming or death from strongarm police raids using questionable tactics.
4. Drug legalization puts pressure on an abusive practice known as civil asset forfeiture where law enforcement take large amounts of cash or property that they think is being used in commission of a crime. Driving cross country with your six-figure winnings from a poker tournament? Gone if the wrong police officer pulls you over. Your kid selling a little pot from your house without your knowledge? Your house can get forfeited. These are real cases and there are many cases like this that happen nationwide, and unlike a criminal proceeding where you are innocent until proven guilty, with civil asset forfeiture cases your property is considered guilty until you spend money proving its innocence. They don't even have to charge you with a crime to take your property. You want to reign in abusive government overreach right?
5. Drug legalization puts pressure on overpriced pharmaceuticals and allows for lower-cost, natural pain medication. You want to help fight rising healthcare costs right?
The same personal freedom case can be made for "who can marry and who can't". Since when did cases regarding personal freedom and limiting government intervention turn into the chump change of political issues?