DRUG LAWS

If Republicans in the House get their way, the nation's drug czar may soon
have the power to spend millions of tax dollars to defeat pro-medical
marijuana ballot initiatives and candidates. The idea is an unprecedented
assault on our democratic system. The Bush administration wants to be able
to put its finger on the scale of future elections. Once we allow the
executive branch to use tax money to influence voters, we will have opened
a dangerous door.

Did you get that? The proposal would open the federal treasury to a federal
official for the purchase of TV ads opposing local candidates deemed too
soft on drugs (or what ever else they may not like-abortion-gun rights
etc.). The prohibitionists are now damaging more than just the lives of
recreational drug users, they are interfering in state sovereignty.

A provision quietly slipped into this year's Office of National Drug
Control Policy's authorization bill would give the White House office the
ability to use its annual $195-million anti-drug advertising budget to
oppose any initiative or candidate supporting the legalization of an
illegal drug. The measure would turn the public treasury into a campaign
chest for the president's party, allowing the White House to purchase
radio, television and print ads in furtherance of its own political goals.
The tactic of using the people's money to influence their views and
election results has a familiar ring. Irag! Iran! North Korea!

This should be disturbing to anyone interested in a limited federal
government and comity, but House Republicans have a different view. They
want to codify the drug czar's politicking and turn the ONDCP's annual
$195-million advertising budget into a campaign war chest. A provision
slipped into the bill to reauthorize the ONDCP would give the drug czar
express authority to spend money to oppose any state ballot initiative to
legalize drugs or any candidate favoring legalization.

Stop Sec.707 of bill HR 2086. Contact John McHugh Phone: 202.225.4611 Fax:
202-226-0621 Address: 2441 Rayburn House Office Building Washington D C
20515-3224 E-mail: Congressman.McHugh@mail.house.gov

Larry Seguin Lisbon