Say "No" to Marijuana
In Ms. Tran's article "Say 'No' to Marijuana", she argues that legalizing marijuana would be detrimental for Texas, especially its children. She argues that marijuana is harmful and that it is the responsibility of the state to protect its citizens from harm. She goes on to say that the legalization of marijuana will in fact increase crime, increase addiction rates, and be more costly for the state.
Starting with the last point, legalizing marijuana will in fact be a cost saver for the state of Texas. Between the tax revenue from the sale of marijuana and the savings in incarcerations for minor marijuana offenses, the state and tax payers would make a profit from the drug. According to the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, Texas spends almost $4 million per day on inmates jailed for simple possession. Everyone in Texas can speak green, and a savings of $4 million per days is not a small amount of money.
Her claim that it will increase crime rates also falls short of reality. In June of this year, Colorado released its six-month report on the effect marijuana legalization has had on its crime. According to the report, crime in the state is down over 10% from last year, with violent crimes down 5.2%. A lot of the crime associated with marijuana, especially in Texas, is from cartels and gang rivalries over territory. If we can eliminate the gangs purpose of dispensing marijuana, the crime associated with that can be eliminated as well. Having a responsible, government regulated dispensary sell the drugs is a much better option than an unregulated black market.
Last, she points out that marijuana is not safe for consumption. While it is not a good argument to point out that something else is worse, it is worth noting that annually 88,000 people die from alcohol related causes, 300,000 from obesity related causes, and 480,000 people died from tobacco related causes. All of these causes are clearly preventable, as is marijuana related deaths. However, marijuana related deaths are in the double digits, significantly less than the other top preventable death causes. To point out two deaths that have happened as a result of marijuana is sensationalizing the negatives of the drug.
The drug is not perfect - it does have a 9% addiction rate, it does impair motor functions and cognitive abilities, and it does just make you lazy. We absolutely should teach children about the dangers of not just marijuana, but also alcohol, fast food, and other preventable causes of death. But when the time comes and they are of age, be that 18 or 21, they should be able to make their own decision on how they want to relax over the weekend. To keep it illegal means to keep the gangs and cartels involved in our neighborhoods and it means spending millions of dollars each day to lock up nonviolent, simple possession prisoners.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Monday, November 3, 2014
How To Get Your "Get Out Of Jail (Not) Free" Card
How To Get Your "Get Out Of Jail (Not) Free" Card
There are many aspects of Texas government that can use some improvements. The legislature only meets once every two years for 140 days. This is barely enough time to get anything done, and the only reason we have seen so many bills passed in recent years is the overwhelming Republican dominance of the legislature. When nobody is around to say no, it's pretty easy to vote yes. But one neglected area that is perhaps in the most dire need of reform is the judicial system.
Texas is one of eight states that have a partisan election process for judges. Other methods states employ are legislative elections, Governor appointments, and probably the best option, a nonpartisan commission. Texas' partisan election process means most judges have large campaign funds filled by interest groups and PACs. Even more horrifying, most of these donations do not have to be disclosed upon election and the contribution limit is completely voluntary. The judiciary is supposed to be a fair, nonpartisan entity equal all across the state. This process of running expensive campaigns means most owe large contributors undisclosed favors. This entirely defeats the purpose of a fair and equal judicial system. You should not be able to buy your way out of a sticky situation.
In 1995, Texas passed the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act, which limited the amount PACs and law firms could contribute to a judge's campaign. This was a good first step, but more is needed to get money out of our judicial system. One way to help eliminate most of the bias out a judicial system is to form a nonpartisan commission. There are 20 states that employ some form of a commission to select judges already, and many consider this process to be the most fair and unbiased. This commission would, in theory use a merit based system to create a pool of judges for the Governor or legislature to pull from. The committee would select these judges based on their accolades, fairness, and commitment to be honest and equal across all party, gender, race, religious and class lines.
While this process will take time, and heaps and heaps of money will be spent in opposition to it, I believe it is possible in the long run. Eventually, people will realize that wealthier individuals and corporations are getting preferential treatment in the courts system and rise to the occasion. There will be challenges to creating this system, namely who is on the committee and how they are selected. But these small obstacles are nothing compared to finally reclaiming our fair, honest and nonpartisan judicial system.
There are many aspects of Texas government that can use some improvements. The legislature only meets once every two years for 140 days. This is barely enough time to get anything done, and the only reason we have seen so many bills passed in recent years is the overwhelming Republican dominance of the legislature. When nobody is around to say no, it's pretty easy to vote yes. But one neglected area that is perhaps in the most dire need of reform is the judicial system.
Texas is one of eight states that have a partisan election process for judges. Other methods states employ are legislative elections, Governor appointments, and probably the best option, a nonpartisan commission. Texas' partisan election process means most judges have large campaign funds filled by interest groups and PACs. Even more horrifying, most of these donations do not have to be disclosed upon election and the contribution limit is completely voluntary. The judiciary is supposed to be a fair, nonpartisan entity equal all across the state. This process of running expensive campaigns means most owe large contributors undisclosed favors. This entirely defeats the purpose of a fair and equal judicial system. You should not be able to buy your way out of a sticky situation.
In 1995, Texas passed the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act, which limited the amount PACs and law firms could contribute to a judge's campaign. This was a good first step, but more is needed to get money out of our judicial system. One way to help eliminate most of the bias out a judicial system is to form a nonpartisan commission. There are 20 states that employ some form of a commission to select judges already, and many consider this process to be the most fair and unbiased. This commission would, in theory use a merit based system to create a pool of judges for the Governor or legislature to pull from. The committee would select these judges based on their accolades, fairness, and commitment to be honest and equal across all party, gender, race, religious and class lines.
While this process will take time, and heaps and heaps of money will be spent in opposition to it, I believe it is possible in the long run. Eventually, people will realize that wealthier individuals and corporations are getting preferential treatment in the courts system and rise to the occasion. There will be challenges to creating this system, namely who is on the committee and how they are selected. But these small obstacles are nothing compared to finally reclaiming our fair, honest and nonpartisan judicial system.
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