Since last month, political analysts have wondered what the Republican Party could do to make itself less a source of amusement for younger voters. The problem is that for these people as well as single women, Hispanics, and African-Americans, when they vote in elections, invariably they choose the Democratic candidate. Too often, the Republican candidate takes on issue positions more relevant to the geriatrics that are their most likely vote sources.
from Rolling Stone
Well, Republicans have noticed this as well. It’s sort of obvious to them that they are unlikely to win elections in the West Coast, New England, or in the Middle Atlantic States. If the current trends continue, states like Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona will soon turn purple. The party has signaled that it wants to change its policy on illegal immigration since self-deportation was not regarded as positively by Hispanics as the GOP hoped. As far as gay marriage, any opposition voiced will be regional, and is likely to be disregarded by the rest of the party.
Much as attitudes have rapidly changed about gay marriage, they have also changed about marijuana. Like gay marriage, younger voters are more likely to be positively affected by this change. We see the regions that are first to take on social change already moving to legalize weed. In the West, Colorado and Washington have legalized recreational use. Medical marijuana is legal already in all of the western states, all of New England (with the obvious exception of New Hampshire), and even in Michigan. A number of other states are scheduled to vote on either recreational or medical use in the next few months.
Like gay marriage, legalization of pot easily fits into the GOP agenda since it is merely an extension of the party’s long-held libertarian values. The only parts of the party that would likely oppose the move would be the alcohol lobby and the social conservatives. The latter group has shown itself to be fully contained within the party, so little notice of them need be taken. The liquor lobby can be appeased with the GOP’s tax/subsidy policies.
Unlike gay marriage, I’d guess that virtually every voter under 60 has either smoked grass themselves or knows someone who does, with no ill effects. The pretension that it is a gateway drug is one of the sillier aspects of the current federal policy. The benefit to the Republicans changing their stance on marijuana is that for some reason, Obama continues to be completely antagonistic to this move. Therefore, they will show themselves more amenable to this than the Democrats. For once, they will be ahead of the learning curve.
Hat tip to micky for this thread idea.
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:18 am
“Hat tip to micky for this thread idea.”
You said it much better and with emphasis on a few reasons and components I completely forgot about.
My post on the idea was a bit of a tantrum in response to hearing O’Reilly and Jeanine Pirro talk out their butts about pot, again and again.
Being in the recovery business I get really tired of hearing these ridiculous characterizations of users and fairy tale consequences.
If the right could lay out a vision for legalization that included regulation and laws that put controls on it much like we do liquor I see no reason how it could hurt the brand
I myself would want to form laws that see to it that no developing mind be exposed to its effects and those involved in selling or giving pot to kids and young adults under 21 have their asses locked up.
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:27 am
If the GOP does swing towards legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana, we can thank the Ron Paul/Libertarian wing. I agree with Micky that the Leprechaun, Bill O’Reilly, is all wet on this subject. Maybe Greg Gutfeld will set him straight?
December 22nd, 2012 at 7:42 am
The biggest problem I have with Libertarians is their national security position and favoring legalization of “all” drugs.
Thats just stupid.
I, and I’m sure many others, wouldnt want to trade off our countrys security for legal pot.
December 22nd, 2012 at 8:22 am
I agree, Micky, that in our age of ICBMs and home-brew bio/chemical weaponry, isolationism is no longer an option. As for legalizing all drugs, I really do not have a problem with that provided there are sufficient legal safe guards to protect the public from dummies and corrupt companies. Why should I have to pay a doctor just to get a script for antibiotics? We should be able to work something out.
December 22nd, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Andy, China has done pretty well building a superpower with the same isolationist approach that the US proudly promoted until WWII. We worried about our our own neighbors only and shunned involvement far away. That’s what China is doing now quite smartly.
On pot, hell ya. Let’s do it. The Chinese doped their soldiers up in Vietnam, so let’s collect the taxes from our doped up liberals and teenagers.
December 23rd, 2012 at 6:44 pm
“Like gay marriage, legalization of pot easily fits into the GOP agenda since it is merely an extension of the party’s long-held libertarian values.
LMAO. Gay marriage and GOP libertarian values? Pure Libertarians represent like what? 10% of the GOP if that? People saw just how the GOP treated Ron Paul and his contingent in Florida. Wouldn’t even let him speak his “libertarian” values for a few minutes.
The GOP (in reality) on social matters is far more aligned with the likes of Huckabee, Palin, Santorum, and Bachmann. And you know it.
But I will give you credit for your attempt at “spinning” in the right direction.
December 23rd, 2012 at 7:54 pm
“The GOP (in reality) on social matters is far more aligned with the likes of Huckabee, Palin, Santorum, and Bachmann. And you know it.”
I love it.
Only a liberal would go so far as to tell someone what they “know” is part of the liberals “reality”.
December 23rd, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Well, ronm, when you’re wrong, you’re wrong.
Since 1928, the basic premise that has divided the 2 parties is redistribution. We can easily see this, since it is virtually impossible to find an election where the GOP candidate favors more redistribution than does the Dem they oppose.
Other issues are ancillary to the above by both parties, and usually are wedge issues. The basic philosophy in opposition to redistribution is libertarianism. So, yeah, libertarianism is a value of the GOP.