SO MUCH FOR DEMOCRACY

I would like to remind fellow Colorado voters that even though the vast
majority of us overwhelmingly approved the medical use of marijuana (in the
last election), our elected servants seem determined to deny the people
what they have so strongly and so democratically indicated they want.

Both Gov. Bill Owens and Attorney General Ken Salazar opposed the medical
marijuana initiative right from the start. That's fair enough and these
people are entitled to their private opinions. But, the initiative passed
by an extremely clear mandate and is now Colorado law. It is not the public
duty of these people to uphold and defend Colorado law as enacted by the
democratic process?

Neither Salazar or Owens seem to think so. After this law took effect,
Owens and Salazar sent a joint letter to the Colorado Medical Society
warning that any doctors who prescribe marijuana risk the loss of their
medical license. They then sent a letter to the U.S. (federal) attorney
Richard Spriggs, calling on him to "enforce federal law" and asking his
office to prosecute anyone (doctor or private citizen) that prescribes,
uses or cultivates any marijuana for medicinal use (thus effectively
bypassing Colorado law).

So much for democracy and the will of the people.

Regardless of where one stands on the issue of medical marijuana, I think
most Coloradans would agree that democracy is kind of nice.

If you support either the democratic process and/or medical marijuana,
please join me in boycotting the re-election of both Owens and Salazar.
Luckily, there are several other well-qualified and less arrogant people to
vote for. The Green Party has excellent candidates running for both
positions. Both Ron Forthofer and Sunny Maynard are quite supportive of
liberty and justice for all.

- -- Mark Dalpiaz

Salida, Colo.