“REPUBLICANS” USE BUDGET DEAL TO OVERTURN D.C. MARIJUANA REFERENDUM
By FITSNEWS || Voters in Washington, D.C. have spoken: They want to see marijuana legalized. Overwhelmingly so, in fact.
Under a referendum that passed by a 70-30 percent margin on November 4, Washington, D.C. residents and visitors would have been permitted to legally possess up to two ounces of marijuana be allowed to grow up to three pot plants.
Now? Not so much …
As part of the recent federal budget compromise – which represented a wholesale GOP surrender to the administration of Barack Obama on spending issues – “Republican” legislators led by U.S. Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland struck down the D.C. marijuana legalization.
Just like that … the will of the people was undone by a backdoor budget amendment.
Limited government supporters were (rightfully) aghast …
“As a constitutional matter, the Congress can set policies for the District of Columbia, but this is an awful move,” wrote Tim Lynch of the Cato Institute. ” No vote on marijuana reform, just override the voter-approved measure by inserting language into a gigantic spending bill.”
Lynch also pointed out how the GOP never seems to use such procedural moves when it matters …
“Isn’t it interesting that such tactics never seem to be used to downsize the federal government and reduce its powers?” he noted. ” Why not zero out the budget for the DEA or the Export-Import Bank?”
Meanwhile D.C.’s elected leaders were (rightfully) livid …
“It is disheartening and frustrating to learn that once again the District of Columbia is being used as a political pawn by the Congress,” city councilman David Grosso told The Washington Post. “To undermine the vote of the people — taxpayers — does not foster or promote the ‘limited government’ stance House Republicans claim they stand for; it’s uninformed paternalistic meddling.”
Exactly …
“Republicans” clearly have no intention of “limiting” government … in any form or fashion. In fact it is now abundantly clear that if voters democratically affirm their intention to cast off indefensible paternalistic prohibitions (like the criminalization of pot), “Republicans” will step in to reimpose Nanny State order.
Unbelievable …
America gets this … why doesn’t the GOP?
UPDATE: Maybe we’ll ask Marco Rubio …
***
75 comments
Why do you think the DC License tags carry the motto “Taxation Without Representation”?
Republicans suck.
Their motto should be “Republicans are scum” – truth in advertising. The elephant taking a shit over the motto.. then there’d be no reason for philosophical debate.
It shows how much the will of the electorate means to Republicans. What does Harris say? Why bother doing something there against the expressed wishes of the people. Begs the question: What’s the upside for Harris?
Maybe a good friend owns a distillery.
70% of Americans don’t favor gun control. Yet Dims are always trying to make it look like it is the greatest thing ever. Whatever the particular political party happens to want is the best thing ever and vice-versa. Both are wrong.
But I haven’t seen that backdoored into any of their many spending bills. I’m no dem, but your statement honestly seems like another scare tactic.
Care to offer a link to verify that 70% claim?
He’s talking about his friends.
The public opinion on such matters ebbs and flows with current events. This has a fairly drastic swing, as well. Claims in favor of gun control significantly spike after events like New Town, Columbine, Va Tech, etc.
“Gun control” is also an extremely broad term. SCOTUS has clearly ruled that 2A does not mean there are no limits to firearm dealings, etc.
That’s hardly debatable.
You would think not. But people continue to debate it, incessantly.
I been smokin’ dope every day for 30 years, and I ain’t hooked.
LMAO…Liberal-Tarians and Liberals share a selfishness and greed. And wanting to get F*#ked up all the time, is nothing but selfishness…. The people who build this country cannot afford that..and we cannot afford the deficiency those of you who are F*#ked up all the time cause…
I’m stoned as hell right this very moment and can write a comment that’s actually grammatically correct and sensible. What’s your excuse?
Someone from Colorado here…we have abundant, very potent, cheap and completely legal cannabis here. Would you like to compare SC to CO? Colorado, Near the top in education, job creation, healthcare, income, well being, happiness, tourism etc. Where does SC rank in positive indicators? Please, tell us, oh righteous one. Also, which party has (and retained) the majority in Colorado’s state government? Now, care to re-comment?
Sakerlinians don’t care too much for actual data, facts or like for like comparisons. We know our state is shit…and that’s how we like it.
I wouldn’t call it shit, but it could use some improvement. Got tried of watching the state regress over the last 15 years, so I split. best decision I ever made.
Don’t take my word for it, look at the data. S.C. consistently ranks among the worst of the 50 states across a number of categories…yet R’s keep getting elected like clock work.
Exactly why I moved. After having my personal information hacked from the state’s computers, I was like “Where the fuck am I living? These people will re-elect Haley too. Time to bail.” And what happened?
So the fact that someone got a hold of your personal information was the tipping point? Cute.
I’ll expect you to go ahead and buy a U-Haul now. You’ll never find a place on this planet where your sensitive data is safe. Absolutely impossible. They always talk about fear-mongering on this website. One of the largest fear-mongering campaigns happens everyday from all the marketing for “LifeLock” and “DataSecure,” etc.
You clearly have no idea how many gov’t buildings have spreadsheets and files laid everywhere with all of your information contained within. And the best part is there are plenty of high-school educated (maybe) employees making less than $30k/year that have access to said data.
Diligence in checking your statements/accounts is the answer. That, as well as keeping your assets with an institution that will insure your losses if/when theft occurs.
Slow your roll, bitch. The way it was handled was the last straw from an incompetent government for me. There are many reasons why I decided to move. The permanent safety of my personal info wasn’t one of then. Being around proudly dumb people was, however.
You’ll never find a place on this planet where your sensitive data is safe.
Fully safe? Of course not, but I’m willing to bet other states have better security policies than DoR, and when those policies do fail, I’m sure their response is far better than Haley’s was.
I completely agree. I certainly did not defend SCDOR. Maybe I misunderstood “Try me’s” angst.
But it sure sounded like packing up and moving to Colorado was the “cure-all” to identity theft. That is clearly not the case. Furthermore, getting “assed-off” about South Carolina–especially whilst continuing to hang out on a SC-based message board seemed a little disingenuous.
Reading comprehension, not your strong suit. I read sites from everywhere I’ve lived. I like to stay informed about the world. I was more assed off about ignorant views of cannabis. Pointing out the facts about SC was simply that. Sorry it made your vagina all sandy.
I see recognizing hyperbole is not your strong suit.
Lets recap your points: (1) partisan points about which party controls Colorado [of note, they all suck]; (2) the state has regressed over 15 years and so you’ve decided to leave; (3) the SCDOR hack was the final straw; (4) yet, you knew SC was “dumb enough” to re-elect Haley; (5) you seemed to give yourself a little bit of a fist bump when prophetically calling out that–wait for it–South Carolina would re-elect a Republican [shocker, I know].
Surely I wouldn’t condense all of this into my “throw-away” line about identity theft. That was merely conjecture–or satire–based on your earlier delivery.
But that’s OK. You should continue to impress all of us with your vast knowledge of female anatomy. I’ve seen the several references so far.
Stay classy! Enjoy Colorado. It is a gorgeous state. I enjoy my time when I travel to Colorado.
Look. You made a irrelevant comment to my response to another comment. I responded and you made another dumb comment. Now you’ve embarrassed yourself. Next time, read the start of a conversation before you decide to jump in with a condescending tone, especially when you have no idea what’s being discussed.
At least Colorado is a swing state. The machines in SC may as well feed our ballots directly to the shredder, because we’ll be damned if we ever throw the bums out.
It nice being in a place that isn’t completely controlled by either party, where you get to vote by mail.
You need to take into account the “genetic make-up” of SC v. CO. Just sayin’
Yeah, a deeper gene pool does make for a smarter populace. Good point.
The gene pool here is very deep. It just isn’t very wide.
To each his own. I’m glad that was the best decision you ever made.
By the way, your argument of comparison stands on the premise that all of these wonderful distinguishing characteristics were recently altered by the fledgling marijuana statutes.
As such, should we assume that before passing said laws, Colorado was analogous to South Carolina in each of these categories?
Good lord, you’re a thick cunt. Actually, I was giving more credit to the Democrats. I was responding to GrandTango’s comments about marijuana ruining society. It doesn’t and won’t. Thanks for confirming the great decision I made.
There is absolutely no comparison between South Carolina and Colorado
Colorado wins on every level hands down.
Here’s your winner for dumbest comment of the day.
You are stating that one cannot compare these two states? What does that even mean? Is one of these two states a fictitious being?
Seriously, if–in your opinion–Colorado is a better state than South Carolina, you are more than welcome to take hold of your opinion. Ergo, “to each his own.”
I, for one, loathe cold weather. Therefore–in my opinion–I might prefer to live in a warmer state.
To simply say that “there is absolutely no comparison” is really one of the sadder comments of the day.
If someone is of the right mind set, you can find ways to enjoy every state you live in.
Some people are just content to be miserable.
I’ve lived in SoCal, Cleveland, Akron, Detroit, spent a month in C. & S. America, traveled extensively(and spent time in) through N.E. and the upper Northwest.
I can truly say that there is something to do everywhere, and that includes SC. I’ve lived here for 12 years now and all my kids were born here. I like it here, and take yearly trips to the beach, the mountains, take my wife to downtown Columbia to eat and enjoy the arts, etc.
Sure, I could like at the beach as the “redneck riviera”, or bitch about the crime in downtown Columbia(and that’s in almost every sizable urban city in the US) or their stupid gov’t, or SC’s stupid gov’t….but at the end of the day my happiness and outlook is under my control…and though my vote doesn’t mean shit nor will those in power change(or the nature of gov’t for that matter), they still don’t have enough control yet to make me miserable.
I focus on those things in SC that can make life fun/interesting, not the pols or their gov’t one iota in terms of where I put most of my energy and focus on “having fun” in life. In fact, SC’s “issues”, which are all gov’t created, are simply a non factor for me because I spend my time avoiding gov’t as much as possible and living a good life instead.
Thats one thing I’ve noticed about a lot of people who live in Columbia: “Its good enough”.
I find that just sad for y’all. Columbia is horrible, and you’ve grown so accustomed to it that you don’t even know any better.
“Thats one thing I’ve noticed about a lot of people who live in Columbia: “Its good enough”.”
Well, first-I don’t live in Columbia-but that not withstanding I’m glad that you’re happy with where you are living and my point is simply that if someone is happy with where they live it doesn’t matter what other people think, like you for example.
If though, someone bitches about the area they live in and does nothing to change it, they are simply exhibiting the “victim” mentality, which makes them miserable people.
At any time they like they can get up and move. No one is responsible for their happiness or lack thereof.
My nephews in Colorado have all quit the weed. Too strong, they say.
It’s not about how strong it is – it’s about how much you smoke.
Yeah.If two hits do it,that’s some good shit.All things in moderation.
smoking dope when you’re high is a waste of dope.
If you’re so stoned that your joint goes out. You’re high enough.
Like “Freewheeling Frank” (of The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comix) said:
“Dope will get you times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope”
“A day without sunshine is like night.”
“When you’re swimming in the creek
And an eel bites your cheek,
That’s a moray!”
“NASA should not be allowed to operate in a vacuum”.
“I can explain it for you, but I can’t understand it for you.”
“Hypocrisy is the Vaseline of social intercourse.”
“In theory, theory and practice are the same thing, but in practice they’re not.”
“The difference between theory and practice is always greater in practice than in theory.”
“Definition of a hermaphrodite: a bisexual built for two.”
“I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous.”
“Anarchy may not be the best form of government but it’s better than no government at all.”
“If your parents never had children, chances are you won’t either.”
“If we don’t change where we’re headed, we’ll eventually wind up where we’re going…”
“Adventure is a sign of incompetence.”
“Life is a disease, sexually transmitted and fatal.”
“A witty saying proves nothing.”
So many rules, so little time.
Ditto.. Took a job offer in Colorado to begin in 2015. Looking forward to it.
You’re gonna love it!
Some one from Aiken “By God” South Carolina here…. and how about the hell you take your hippy ass back to Boulder and spoon Ralphie?
You write “LMAO” in almost very post, but you seem very miserable. I don;t think you are literally LMAO.
Love My Assistance Obviously
+10
Well done!
Maybe he thnks LMAO stands for Loud Mouth Always Open?
Large Mouthed Anal Orifice
I think you’re high on embalming fluid.
If you have to get high on embalming fluid, you shouldn’t.
I been smokin’ dope every day for 30 years
Sorry, even 30 years of hardcore drugs couldn’t explain your issues.
I’ve been smoking cigars everyday for 20 years and I ain’t hooked either.
Hey, I know plenty of people who have been drinking every day for 30 years that swear they ain’t hooked, either. Maybe not. New studies show that the majority of heavy drinkers, even binge drinkers, are not true alcoholics.
One difference between those who have imbibed every day for 30 years and those who have smoked weed for thirty years is that the latter are generally in better health — IF they don’t also drink and smoke cigarettes.
Hard to understand why the party that crows so much about freedom and liberty is so damned dead set on taking choice away from people in regard to the use of a natural product.
The rational thought of the average pot head id, well, better than anything you ever display here.
The prison industrial complex has more power through corrupt law enforcement at every level than the voters. Those who whine about the military industrial complex but yet don’t recognize this fact are blinded either willingly or unwillingly. While I don’t support legalization I do support decriminalization. After the newness wore of the money savings would make a big difference. Less money for prisons equals more money for roads and other things. Maybe even a tax break—- naw, ain’t gonna happen.
I’m getting a sale tax refund next year thanks to recreational marijuana. It’s so bizarre now to think of weed as being illegal. I never see nor hear about any negatives caused by legal pot. There are nearly a dozen dispensaries in my neighborhood and it’s less crime ridden than where I used to live in Forest Acres, SC.
dont worry your boy Sen.elect Hutto will fix all this once he gets to DC in 2345!!!
2345—-WOW that is about far enough out to suit me.LOL
That’ a shame.Before I quit everything,I grew some excellent sensimilla in a greenhouse, along with legal plants.It’s pretty easy to ‘grow your own’,but it’s better to do it with hydroponics and lights,if you don’t have a greenhouse,and easier to separate the males from the female plants,when growing outside.
Get LEDs and auto feminized seeds. You can order all your gear (except seeds) including nutrients from Amazon now. It’s even easier than ever!
Rockwool rules!
Bat guano is what Rules
This just in, Republicans being Republicans, straight-ticket Republican voters baffled.
We could have had Ron Paul.
I’ve got no problem with legalizing weed in a free country. But pot does make you lazy and stupid, and that doesn’t mix well with our welfare state.
pot does make you lazy and stupid
——
You’ve got cause and effect backwards.
Same goes for alcohol, & it’s legal.
Generating extra revenue doesn’t mix well with this state either. Because it will just go into the lawmakers pockets, instead of benefiting the residents
nothing Republicans hate more then marijuana, gays and women’s rights…except immigrants and freedom
Hey the best thing about the budget “deal” is that the Republicans made sure that big Banks can use their customers money to get back in the derivatives gamE.
..and their constituents are too fucking stupid to realize it.