Time For Change In Kentucky?

[tribesun75]

Dr. Rand Paul wins Kentucky's US Senate Race. In an article out of the LA Times it is said that he is a supporter of legalizing MM.
I would like to hear from people from Kentucky especially, but also anyone who has experience writing/emailing political figures regarding this issue. Since we do not currently have a MM law, it might be good for Dr. Paul to hear from MM Patients in states that do have laws in place already and how it has helped these individuals to cope with their ailments.

Thanks,
Tribesun75

 

[Monty Floyd]

I cannot speak for Dr. Rand Paul, but having met him and his father, Dr./Congressman Ron Paul, I am inclined to believe that his views are closely aligned to his father's. Which is to say, he (Dr. Ron Paul) believes that American citizens are guaranteed by the Constitution the right to ingest any substance they want as long as they do no harm to others and are not a drag on society.
I had the honor of living in Dr. Ron Paul's district, voting for him and contributing to his presidential campaign.
I encourage everyone to support these heroes of freedom. They go far beyond championing legalization of medical marijuana. They also want to end the strangle hold of the Federal Reserve and the I.R.S. Do be a "one issue voter".
Too many people will say they want freedom, until confronted with what someone else wants and they don't agree with it. Embracing freedom means accepting it even when you don't like it. As an example, many would support the right of a woman to have an abortion but not for anyone to smoke pot, or the right of Muslims to have a place of worship, two blocks from "Ground Zero".
As my father used to say, "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free."
Goethe

"First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out.
And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me."

Martin Niemoller

 

[hemptress9]

I am from Kentucky. I believe that it would do wonders for the state to legalize or even allow the use of medical marijuana. Kentucky is a farming and crop state, so more money. America loves money, right?

 

[emilyblunt]

Although I am not from Kentucky, I personally think that it's a great thing that states are finally getting open minded about legalizing marijuana. It's a about time!

 

[Mr Bluegrass]

Kentucky like the rest of the United States is suffering, tobacco isn't bringing in enough revenue anymore to keep up with our modern day demands. Unemployment rate has gone up, its getting harder for people to find work, kentucky needs to change. All marijuana is, is a wondrous medicinal beneficial plant, no matter how much money our crazy government spends its still going to be out there. Its never going away, its been here longer than us, humans. The only harmful aspect about marijuana is if smoked the subsense puts of carbon monoxide within the smoke theirs other alternatives of consumption though.
Why Can't Kentucky Law just realize that marijuana has multiply benefits, both for the states pocket and for those suffering from some fatal illness. Look at California, look at the revenue, and the souls they are saving. For the sake of America, congress needs to realize that the nations in deep deep debt, and marijuana could save us.

"Kentucky Basketball, the greatest tradition in College Basketball"

Much love to everyone who knows the truth about cannabis.

 

[merickson]

Do you think that a US senator will have much influence on what the state's laws are about MJ?

I think it a more useful conversation with Rand Paul would be about removing MJ's federal schedule 1 classification than trying to bring another state's laws into conflict (or at least confusion) with federal law. If we've got a supporter in the US Senate, lets use him where we've got him.

(P.S. my take (from a distance) is that Paul's libertarian views got him elected by an electorate that despises and fears marijuana. They love his states' rights position, not his support of individual freedoms. Consistency of philosophy is not to be found in politics.)

 

[Mr Bluegrass]

Everyone contact Rand Paul and tell him who you feel, about the truth,the benefits. Maybe He'll man up, to help our nation get out of debt

 

[Monty Floyd]

Do be a "one issue voter".

should say DON'T be a "one issue voter".

 

[Monty Floyd]

Consistency of philosophy is not to be found in politics.)

Ron Paul has had the same message for over 35 years, I don't know how much more consistent you can get.
And you are right about some of his followers, they support some issues but not others. What they must realize is that freedom has to be for everybody, not just those you agree with.
Government is force, if everyone lived by the Golden Rule (the "do onto others" one, not the "he who has the gold, makes the rules" one) there would be no need for government. But you have to draw the line somewhere. Is it freedom to shout "FIRE" in a crowded theater? No. You are doing harm to others. That's why we have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights. It clearly states just what the government is to be involved in and also what it is NOT to be involved in.
There was a time in this country when a 10 yr old could go into a pharmacy and buy all sorts of drugs considered illegal today.
There was a time in this country when the wages a man earns by his own effort was his to keep.
Don't focus on marijuana legalization as the mantra of the oppressed. What good would it do to legalize pot but still pay 25 to 30% of YOU'RE earnings in taxes that the Constitution clearly states are illegal. Isn't that a form of slavery? And don't forget about the Federal Reserve who robs us of our wealth through inflation. Or foreign policy. We have troops stationed in 130 countries!!!! These days it's acceptable to launch a pre-emptive attack on another country under the pretense of security.
There are many things wrong with out government, the least of which is throwing people in jail for smoking a weed. If we do not wake up soon, it may be too late.
With a national debt approaching 14 trillion dollars, how much longer can we ignore the looming economic meltdown? $14 trillion, that's a 14 with 12 0's. That's over $45,000 for every man, woman and child in the U.S.
Now that the voters have shaken up congress once again, the "old guard" is calling for budget cuts. Cuts in Social Security, Medicare, tax breaks on home ownership and others that hit the pocket of the citizen. Why do we not see cuts in foreign aid, do you know how many billions went unaccounted for in Iraq alone? No! Nobody does, but it's more than a couple. How about bringing our troops home and give up this empire building philosophy. We wouldn't like it if China or Russia or anybody said to us "we are building bases in the U.S. and we will keep our troops there indefinitely". How about policing the programs that are already known to be rife with fraud. How about congress giving back some of their pay that they are so eager to vote in for themselves. How about we let people keep their own money, use it the way they want and live their lives the way they want. It's not too late. Ron Paul was a big hit with those who feel our government is not acting responsibly. There are others in Washington that want to do the right thing but RP is at the forefront because he has been consistently preaching the same message for many years.
Educate yourselves. Make yourself aware of what is going on. In another year, the election cycle will begin, again. It may be our last chance.

... sorry for the rant, I guess I needed to vent, I'll crawl back in my little hole now.

 

[merickson]

I can't disagree with that.

But, I think its foolish to interpret Rand Paul's election as an indication that Kentucky voters embrace a libertarian position with regard to MJ.

 

[Monty Floyd]

agreed

 

[Darkriff]

I personally don't care for Kentucky one bit. I get raped on taxes every single year, the weather is absolutely terrible. I know those from Michigan are probably like "WTF is this guy talking about?! An inch or two of snow?! Seriously?!!" An inch on some of the KY backroads, which seem to be alot of major roads especially eastern KY, suck, I'd rather live in Michigan where the roads are at least scraped and salted. Legalizing MM in KY would make it so much more bareable lol. Until then tho, I'm stuck like alot of other people that don't like where they live. Hopefully this will be wrapped up within the next 5 years or so.

 

[Banshee]

@monty: Agreed. 100%. However, I think the only way we will see a change in these things is if the American Sheeple actually start paying attention and asking questions. The small number of people who DO ask questions and want change don't stand a chance against the "Information Age" and those who believe everything that the news says. Public education is the only way to get anywhere, I'm afraid.

I'm not in Kentucky either, but I figure it this way: If one more state either legalises (or decriminalises) MM, then there's one more in our corner. One more sitting in the balance, and that many more people waking up.

An article in the Cannabis Health News Magazine, starting on page 18, talks about the war on drugs. Its very informative for folks who don't already know... https://www.cannabishealthnewsmagazine.com/PDF/index.html

(I hope I did that right. If not, I'm sorry!!!!)

 

[tszasz4u]

chemical statism (drug socialism) or our right to drugs

Rand Paul is from kentucky, and a conservative. I think that Kentucky needs to take its cue, likewise, from a Constitutionally conservative starting point. I do feel that the climate would be right for this present public discourse of "authority v. autonomy", and the role of the state, in matters social, political, and economic (and moral, as that of the war on drugs qua religious crusade).
However, that said, I think that most Americans are very comfortable with the war on drugs; just as most are with most other forms of control over one's person and body! I could dilate on the latter, but suffice it to say, that Americans have given up much in the way of medical freedom in the last century-just look around with a critical eye, and you, reader, might see this manifest.
Any "legalization", specifically that of medical need, follows along the same logic now informing our nation's health commissars as guardians of the health of the body politic. Politicians from the left and the right express equal moral-legalistic hubris in profaning the Constitution's First Amendment, by the very abrogation of the right of every adult citizen to "self-medicate", as well as recreate, with drugs. It is no coincidence that the state sees fit to license the doctor, who empowered to prescribe, are, collectively speaking, advocates for prescription marijauna! But doesn't it follow, that the power to prescribe also carries with it the power (as empowered, and beholden, by way of state licensure) to deny?
The idea that a plant that grows wild on the sides of roads, is so demonized, cannot be denied by abrogating our natural right, which is anterior to any law contrariwise, to our bodies and what we may or may not ingest. Certainly if what I consume hurts no one else. I can get drunk in privacy, or at the establishment of any "appropriate licensed" purveyor of alcohol (but no smoking, by law!), however, if I grow a few plants for my own medicinal or recreational use, I am subject to some very harsh treatment. And Americans are fine with this; and this scapegoating of drugs, and its "users" and "pushers", is just business as usual (unless, of course, one is a member of a "minority"!) Some collective purification, this war on drugs!

 

[Monty Floyd]

chemical statism (drug socialism) or our right to drugs

However, that said, I think that most Americans are very comfortable with the war on drugs; just as most are with most other forms of control over one's person and body! I could dilate on the latter, but suffice it to say, that Americans have given up much in the way of medical freedom in the last century-just look around with a critical eye, and you, reader, might see this manifest.

History has shown that the average age of the great civilizations is around two hundred years. Countries like Great Britain exceed the average while other countries like the United States are just now reaching the average age.

Each of the great civilizations in the world passed through a series of stages from their birth to their decline to their death. Historians have listed these in ten stages.

The first stage moves from bondage to spiritual faith. The second from spiritual faith to great courage. The third stage moves from great courage to liberty. The fourth stage moves from liberty to abundance. The fifth stage moves from abundance to selfishness. The sixth stage moves from selfishness to complacency. The seventh stage moves from complacency to apathy. The eighth stage moves from apathy to moral decay. The ninth stage moves from moral decay to dependence. And the tenth and last stage moves from dependence to bondage.

These are the ten stages through which the great civilizations have gone. Notice the progression from bondage to liberty back to bondage. The first generation throws off the shackles of bondage only to have a later generation through apathy and indifference allow itself to once again be enslaved.
(author unknown)

 

[tszasz4u]

History has shown that the average age of the great civilizations is around two hundred years. Countries like Great Britain exceed the average while other countries like the United States are just now reaching the average age.

Each of the great civilizations in the world passed through a series of stages from their birth to their decline to their death. Historians have listed these in ten stages.

The first stage moves from bondage to spiritual faith. The second from spiritual faith to great courage. The third stage moves from great courage to liberty. The fourth stage moves from liberty to abundance. The fifth stage moves from abundance to selfishness. The sixth stage moves from selfishness to complacency. The seventh stage moves from complacency to apathy. The eighth stage moves from apathy to moral decay. The ninth stage moves from moral decay to dependence. And the tenth and last stage moves from dependence to bondage.

These are the ten stages through which the great civilizations have gone. Notice the progression from bondage to liberty back to bondage. The first generation throws off the shackles of bondage only to have a later generation through apathy and indifference allow itself to once again be enslaved.
(author unknown)

In don't subscribe to this "inexorable" course. Perhaps a more fruitful examination of the degree and scope of the state's stake in this "war of chemistries" might be had if one examines how freedom (individual self-determination) has been uncoupled from responsibility. The state has seen fit to leave many so-called freedoms and "rights" intact (like voting laws), while denying its citizens of those anterior, natural rights, as that of the right to ingest drugs.
This materialization of greater state paternalism and meddling in an intimately private affair, has been justified by a conspicuous legislative morality; and such is very much informed by the regard to a quasi-religious, collectivist take on the health of the body politic. Americans are living longer lives, thanks to such as medicine and food production and distribution. Ironically enough, we are, again collectively speaking, more fearful of the bogey man, i.e., cancer, mental illness, etc. Who, then, has engendered this fear and loathing of the drug user, as both criminal and "diseased"? Our society has no compunction to incarcerate and involuntarily "treat" this scapegoat.

 

[tszasz4u]

Ron Paul has had the same message for over 35 years, I don't know how much more consistent you can get.
And you are right about some of his followers, they support some issues but not others. What they must realize is that freedom has to be for everybody, not just those you agree with.
Government is force, if everyone lived by the Golden Rule (the "do onto others" one, not the "he who has the gold, makes the rules" one) there would be no need for government. But you have to draw the line somewhere. Is it freedom to shout "FIRE" in a crowded theater? No. You are doing harm to others. That's why we have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights. It clearly states just what the government is to be involved in and also what it is NOT to be involved in.
There was a time in this country when a 10 yr old could go into a pharmacy and buy all sorts of drugs considered illegal today.
There was a time in this country when the wages a man earns by his own effort was his to keep.
Don't focus on marijuana legalization as the mantra of the oppressed. What good would it do to legalize pot but still pay 25 to 30% of YOU'RE earnings in taxes that the Constitution clearly states are illegal. Isn't that a form of slavery? And don't forget about the Federal Reserve who robs us of our wealth through inflation. Or foreign policy. We have troops stationed in 130 countries!!!! These days it's acceptable to launch a pre-emptive attack on another country under the pretense of security.
There are many things wrong with out government, the least of which is throwing people in jail for smoking a weed. If we do not wake up soon, it may be too late.
With a national debt approaching 14 trillion dollars, how much longer can we ignore the looming economic meltdown? $14 trillion, that's a 14 with 12 0's. That's over $45,000 for every man, woman and child in the U.S.
Now that the voters have shaken up congress once again, the "old guard" is calling for budget cuts. Cuts in Social Security, Medicare, tax breaks on home ownership and others that hit the pocket of the citizen. Why do we not see cuts in foreign aid, do you know how many billions went unaccounted for in Iraq alone? No! Nobody does, but it's more than a couple. How about bringing our troops home and give up this empire building philosophy. We wouldn't like it if China or Russia or anybody said to us "we are building bases in the U.S. and we will keep our troops there indefinitely". How about policing the programs that are already known to be rife with fraud. How about congress giving back some of their pay that they are so eager to vote in for themselves. How about we let people keep their own money, use it the way they want and live their lives the way they want. It's not too late. Ron Paul was a big hit with those who feel our government is not acting responsibly. There are others in Washington that want to do the right thing but RP is at the forefront because he has been consistently preaching the same message for many years.
Educate yourselves. Make yourself aware of what is going on. In another year, the election cycle will begin, again. It may be our last chance.

... sorry for the rant, I guess I needed to vent, I'll crawl back in my little hole now.

YouTube - ‪Ron Paul Powerful Speech - A Call for Revolution?‬‏

 

[tszasz4u]

Ron Paul has had the same message for over 35 years, I don't know how much more consistent you can get.
And you are right about some of his followers, they support some issues but not others. What they must realize is that freedom has to be for everybody, not just those you agree with.
Government is force, if everyone lived by the Golden Rule (the "do onto others" one, not the "he who has the gold, makes the rules" one) there would be no need for government. But you have to draw the line somewhere. Is it freedom to shout "FIRE" in a crowded theater? No. You are doing harm to others. That's why we have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights. It clearly states just what the government is to be involved in and also what it is NOT to be involved in.
There was a time in this country when a 10 yr old could go into a pharmacy and buy all sorts of drugs considered illegal today.
There was a time in this country when the wages a man earns by his own effort was his to keep.
Don't focus on marijuana legalization as the mantra of the oppressed. What good would it do to legalize pot but still pay 25 to 30% of YOU'RE earnings in taxes that the Constitution clearly states are illegal. Isn't that a form of slavery? And don't forget about the Federal Reserve who robs us of our wealth through inflation. Or foreign policy. We have troops stationed in 130 countries!!!! These days it's acceptable to launch a pre-emptive attack on another country under the pretense of security.
There are many things wrong with out government, the least of which is throwing people in jail for smoking a weed. If we do not wake up soon, it may be too late.
With a national debt approaching 14 trillion dollars, how much longer can we ignore the looming economic meltdown? $14 trillion, that's a 14 with 12 0's. That's over $45,000 for every man, woman and child in the U.S.
Now that the voters have shaken up congress once again, the "old guard" is calling for budget cuts. Cuts in Social Security, Medicare, tax breaks on home ownership and others that hit the pocket of the citizen. Why do we not see cuts in foreign aid, do you know how many billions went unaccounted for in Iraq alone? No! Nobody does, but it's more than a couple. How about bringing our troops home and give up this empire building philosophy. We wouldn't like it if China or Russia or anybody said to us "we are building bases in the U.S. and we will keep our troops there indefinitely". How about policing the programs that are already known to be rife with fraud. How about congress giving back some of their pay that they are so eager to vote in for themselves. How about we let people keep their own money, use it the way they want and live their lives the way they want. It's not too late. Ron Paul was a big hit with those who feel our government is not acting responsibly. There are others in Washington that want to do the right thing but RP is at the forefront because he has been consistently preaching the same message for many years.
Educate yourselves. Make yourself aware of what is going on. In another year, the election cycle will begin, again. It may be our last chance.

... sorry for the rant, I guess I needed to vent, I'll crawl back in my little hole now.

"It clearly states just what the government is to be involved in and also what it is NOT to be involved in."

This generic definition is true of all Constitutions, albeit no less true. I see the U.S. Constitution articulating something, I would opine, of much more practical application: the Constitution as a compact between to sovereign entities: the state and the individual (citizen). The important operative term is "sovereign", a term worth looking up in a good dictionary.

Every modern-day sovereign nation has its constitution; and every country's respective constitution delineates those "rights" of its citizens. Many a nation-state constitution, certainly as those in much of present-day Europe, extend many rights to the individual citizen. However, many so-called rights are also subject to abridgement and may suspended. Take that of the the freedom of speech extended to Europeans by their respective govts., as a prime example. To be sure, there are limits to free speech in the American polity, however, such is not arbitrary; such limits have been set by judicial precedence.
There is something about the the U.S. Constitution that I find most elegant and evocative; that we are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights! To those whose cringe factors go up at the mere mention of the word "creator", I will say this in defense of the Enlightened framers of the Constitution: They were the truly prescient revolutionaries; and not of the ersatz variety of liberal-statists today, who seeks to suborn the Constitution and to enslave us all.

 

[Slowpuffer]

I am from Laurel County Ky.. And I have little confidence that the people of that area would legalize anything that give anyone pleasure. I left there in 1957 at the age of 14, but have returned many times, as i was a truck driver. And i've always found ky all about law & order !! Any truck driver will tell you how they always dreaded the ky scale houses and inspection stations, especially the one in London Ky. !! Anyhow, i'd be surprised if you could get mmj on the ballet in Ky., but hope you prove me wrong. Like someone else said, I think we got to shift away from states and force the federal goverment to give us back our right to be free. This is what legalization is all about, our freedom !! I want to encourage Mr. Paul to introduce legislation to give all of this great nation, our freedoms back. Especially in a place called Altamont Crossing, in Laurel County Ky !! Toke, toke and pass to all the good people of Ky !! Legalize the weed !!

 

[tszasz4u]

I am from Laurel County Ky.. And I have little confidence that the people of that area would legalize anything that give anyone pleasure. I left there in 1957 at the age of 14, but have returned many times, as i was a truck driver. And i've always found ky all about law & order !! Any truck driver will tell you how they always dreaded the ky scale houses and inspection stations, especially the one in London Ky. !! Anyhow, i'd be surprised if you could get mmj on the ballet in Ky., but hope you prove me wrong. Like someone else said, I think we got to shift away from states and force the federal goverment to give us back our right to be free. This is what legalization is all about, our freedom !! I want to encourage Mr. Paul to introduce legislation to give all of this great nation, our freedoms back. Especially in a place called Altamont Crossing, in Laurel County Ky !! Toke, toke and pass to all the good people of Ky !! Legalize the weed !!

A call to the end of the Therapeutic state and of drug socialism: our right to drugs and of one's person


This appeal to, and reference of, "law and order", is the ironic twist in this drug prohibition-witch hunt. I will maintain that it isn't the enacting of further restrictive laws that will spell true freedom to ingest on one's own terms, as I believe this push to legalize-medicalize is consistent with the state's continued course of abridging individual Constitutional rights. However, given the degree and scope to which the state (certainly at the federal level) has arrogated its powers of enforcement, befitting a paternalistic presence, I see no end in sight.

Any substantive and lasting change would indeed be revolutionary! Ron Paul, his son, and other truly enlightened, freedom-loving, citizen-politicians, will not seek to legislate the right to toke, snort, or shoot up, simply because there is no need to further legislate what the Constitution already guarantees each adult individual natural right: the right to ingest! The state cannot "give" any right(s) to the citizen that is already granted by the Constitution, as is the case with the anterior right to one's person. To think otherwise is either naive, statist, or both! The right to private property includes the fruits of my labor, and that of one's person! And the State, for reasons of expediency, feels itself justified to abridge the First Amendment, and to give the unsuspecting citizen the impression that it is fully being communicated! I say, bullshit! My body is my private property and ultimately my responsibilty! The state, in its beneficient presence, no doubt, has made it a question of the public good, in denying the individual his responsibility or irresponsibility over his person. A reliable backdrop to our present therapeutic laws might be had if one looks at the Nazi or Soviet hygiene laws!