LEAP on the Hill: Stories from the Week of July 4, 2008

Too hot to handle: Every first Wednesday of the month I have breakfast at the Leadership Institute which features prominent conservative speakers. Mass transit failed me & I arrived late to a packed room of 100. Nonetheless, the speaker, Grover Nordquist (author of Leave Us Alone) noted conservative thinker called on the ‘guy with the good looking hat.’ ‘Reference leave us alone, some 30 million people would like the government to leave them alone, the most famous of whom is Mr. Willie Nelson who smokes marijuana on his back porch. I am referring of course to people who use drugs other than alcohol, tobacco, Prozac and valium. Why do so many conservatives support the War on Drugs/Modern Prohibition which is a liberal policy? When will conservatives wake up and reject this nanny-state liberal policy of sending police into private homes to arrest otherwise law-abiding citizens?’ I asked. The speaker paused and replied something like, ‘That is a good question and reminds of the Gordian knot. Can we talk after the program?’ Me thinks the lad did not want to reduce his book sales by answering the question. We DID chat afterwards for 15 minutes. He has invited me to speak to his weekly, conservative round-table group. This guy has influence. This is a medium step on the road to ending modern prohibition. I am thrilled. PS: Two days later Karen & I attended the group’s 4th of July barbecue & picnic. We spent all afternoon answering the question, “Why do moms and cops want to legalize drugs?” Besides being my better half and wife, Karen has become an articulate member of the anti-prohibition movement. We need more Members of Congress (MOC) like this one: I was on the Hill every working day this week, taking advantage of the recess to pack in 25 visits & drop off current materials to 50 offices I had recently been to. One office was especially refreshing in the unique slogan that guides the office’s decisions. Congressman and Doctor Paul Broun uses these criteria to make decisions: Is it Moral/Right? Is it Constitutional? Is it necessary? Is it affordable? What a breath of fresh air! What a philosophy!