Change We Can Believe In?
Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:19:44 By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
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Change.gov, the official website of President-Elect Obama, has reopened its online polling page, “Open for Questions.” Of course we all know what happened the last time the incoming administration asked the public to decide what issue should be America’s top priority. And we’re all well aware of Obama’s less than favorable reply.
That said, the fact that the legalization of marijuana finished first out of over 7,000 questions polled generated significant media coverage, including features by Fox News (watch the video here), Esquire, and The Hill. So let’s keep the media and the soon-to-be President’s feet to the fire and continue to push the debate.
Currently, over 25,000 public policy questions have been submitted to Obama’s website. Dozens of these questions pertain to cannabis law reform. Right now, the leading vote-getter among these (with 2,000 votes) is:
“Why do you believe that marijuana should not be legalized? How is the prohibition of marijuana any different than the prohibition of alcohol? 100,000 Americans die every year due to alcohol but none to marijuana.”
Please take a moment and log onto the Change.gov site to voice your support for this question, and others pertaining to the need to end America’s antiquated and punitive prohibition of marijuana. (To vote for this and other popular marijuana law reform questions, click on the “additional issues” link or perform a word search using the term “marijuana.”) The people spoke once before; it’s time we make our voices heard again!
“Change we can believe in?” We shall see.

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Get on it people !!!!

I shared my thoughts and here they are ---->

Why is the Obama adminstration already dodging the issue of medical / recreational marijuana? Why do people who wear suits have brains that shut down when they hear the word marijuana? marijuana laws criminalize law abiding citizens. When will we have an administration that is willing to delve into the lies that were perpetrated to make marijuana illegal? Why will the people who run this website not even take the issue to Obama, we voted for change, but got the same old government with their ears shut that we've always had. Listen to the people, or lose the re-election before you've even been sworn in. The money that could be saved by getting the DEA off marijuana users, by not criminalizing marijuana users would be overwhelming. How about the tax dollars and jobs this plant would create? marijuana is able to replace petrochemicals and get us off foreign oil.
Deeming the marijuana question as inappropriate during the first round of questions is something Bush or McCain would do, thanks for the let down. I guess you effectively lied to the people to get elected, you promised change and so far the only change I've seen is what's left of my paycheck. Luckily those CEO's are getting my tax dollar while I hide in my home in fear of prosecution.
It seems to me that Obama believes the lies, such as "marijuana makes darky think he's as good as a white man" or how about "marijuana makes black men want to rape white women". Here's another oldie but goodie, "marijuana makes white women seek sexual relations with black men" Thanks for not only buying into the propaganda, but standing firmly behind it.

I've been going through the questions reading them and voting. So far in 8 pages I've found about 6 marijuana questions.

It is the responsibility of all of us here at RIU to get busy and vote for these questions. We can't expect others to do it for us. Everyone, go to the site and vote, otherwise we'll never be heard.

I just found a good one on there, it's not about pot though. Some woman wrote in that her credit card company sent her a letter stating that they will no longer accept any payments that are above the monthly minimum. Wow, isn't she screwed? She can no longer pay down her debt at her speed. Damn I'm glad I don't have credit cards.

right on !

all the jobs created by full legalization could pull the economy back up. Not to mention if they were to tax like they do alcohol and tobacco.
That could really do some good. Cash crop.


There is much more than just that too.

And it will clean out air!

Lets fill the landscapes with our sacred plant!!!!!

AND

help the energy crisis, as hemp oil makes fuel. That way, we dont have to keep giving our hard earned dollars to the middle east. You know, that place we are destroying?

I'm sorry, I just can't stay away from this thread. I've read almost 700 pages of questions and the tone of the American public is very apparent. People are fucking pissed off and it shows in their questions. I think 1 more bailout and an angry mob will descend upon Washington DC.

holy shit. Thats impressive. All it took was the internet, and people speak up. It used to be done in the streets until they started shooting bean bags at us,, they make a decent hackey sack,, if your poor that is.

I'm voting for the health care one. Everyone deserves to be healthy

The curt arrogant answer to the marijuana question during the first round of questions sure pried open the flood gates. They have been bombarded with marijuana questions.


Check the section that is "additional issues" feel free to chime it. They can't ignore us forever.

Ok, sorry for not giving something indepth here but I can't figure out how to subscribe to the thread with this new format but I want to be able to come back to it so I'm posting something. Sorry I don't have time to go through the whole thing right now. Kudos to misshestermoffitt for getting it going though!