DRUG LEGALIZATION WAS CANDIDATE'S UNDOING, WITH JUST
CAUSE

I believe the marijuana legalization question took a predictable turn
when 3rd District Democratic candidate Wendy Wilde took a thumping at
the polls Nov. 7, 2006, from incumbent Rep. James Ramstad.

Watching their TV debate on "At Issue," it was clear that her
pro-legalization position would either elect her or sink her
congressional campaign. To his credit, Rep. Ramstad made the
connection between marijuana being a gateway drug and the Minnesota
meth epidemic. The Wilde campaign was finished as a result.

South Dakota, Colorado and Nevada all rejected legalization Nov. 7.
If our representatives still believe there's a national trend to
legalize any drugs, they need to realize details of the meth problem
take up space in most regional newspapers -- almost weekly.

Will our state legislature bypass the voters on this issue? We hope not.

John Holley - Ironton