Ryan's post

Ryan's Slice of American Pie wrote a post about the state of cannabis sales and legality in America, particularly California. Although a very well written post, I have couple of bones to pick. The first being the consistent use of the term "marijuana", which was the language used to aid in perpetuating a negative connotation with the plant during the time when it was first prohibited. Ryan concludes by stating that the solution is decriminalization. Well decriminalization does not get rid of the black market, it merely creates glorified drug dealers posing in the name of "compassionate care".
Cannabis legalization is a necessary issue to think about in the future. The drug war is obviously not working, but neither are the state solutions that I have seen so far. But before it can be legal there needs to be great education about the subject. Ryan lists a lot of good reasons to make it legal, but neglects the fact that it is a drug with the potential for abuse, and the potential for hurting peoples' lives if they cannot control themselves. When we can openly discuss the issue and present fair minded education for the masses then we can begin thinking about federal legalization.

Professional Politicians

The elected individuals who govern our country are supposed to uphold the constitution, our individual liberties, and act on behalf of the people. However, because of the retirement perks, the advantage of incumbency, and the way campaigns are ran, US representatives are really more professionals at getting elected than lawmakers. Most of the work a politician will do in their political career will not be done making laws, changing lives, or protecting personal freedom. Most of the work a politician will put in will be during an election. It is very expensive to run for a seat in the government, and because most politicians do not run with their own money the money they use to run for office comes at a price. So even after a politician manages to get elected and most of their work is finished, what little effort they put in to actually governing will already be bought by money coming from somewhere dictating what a politician will do with their power. There should be maximum terms one can run for every office, maximum amounts of money one can receive from people with political agendas. There should be no retirement perks for a lifetime of government servitude. Public leaders should be business owners or otherwise gainfully employed. They should have to look after their business whilst in office, grounding them to the pains of the civilian and not allowing their elevated government position to change how they perceive the real world. There should be advisors in place to help the newly elected members of the public create laws, and any and every law should have an expiration date so that it must be debated upon again so laws will stay valid and relevant. Once politicians are more concerned with making the will of the people into law than getting elected and re-elected America will be a better place.