Support Selthofner, Marijuana reform
As printed in the Wednesday October 20th Edition of the Ripon Commonwealth Press. The newspaper can be found on-line at www.RiponPress.com
Some people say part of the problem with politics is the acceptance of main stream media outlets that showcase a two party system. People perhaps feel the system is broken from the start and are disengaged from the beginning. Putting people back into politics should first start by people on the ballot and then voting based on the name of the candidate on the ballot, not the party that paid for them.
Traditional politicians seem to dance around every issue rather than keep in constant communication so they may vote based on the will of the people. Instead the votes come and go without the people knowing what is being voted on. The marijuana issue is a perfect example, once thought “dangerous to address marijuana reform as a candidate”, the marijuana issue was once as taboo as smoking pot itself. Some would even say “political suicide to support pot”. Now, some say talking about hemp and cannabis (marijuana) with truth, honesty and compassion is a threat to the two party system itself and perhaps is the “real political danger” at hand.
Perception sometimes leads people to believe the only people supporting marijuana reform are third party candidates. Perhaps we should look at the traditional candidates who support reform of marijuana, but yet do not talk about hemp and cannabis with the truth, honesty and compassion of the third parties. Perhaps ‘they’ do not want attention drawn to “the” issue that could take some of their power away and give it back to the people. I personally think that this is no more evident than right here in the race I am in; all candidates support reform and believe it to be part of the solutions to the problems we face. The ‘marijuana issue’ is not my issue, it is our issue.
The facts are clear and the smoke about marijuana is starting to clear quickly. Industrial Hemp, Medical Marijuana and Recreational Cannabis are ingredients needed for comprehensive legislation on the issue. Wisconsin is ready to lead and move FORWARD on the issues as our motto suggests. We cannot keep standing idle as the rest of the world, country and states around us move forward. We need jobs, we need lower taxes, we need better healthcare, we need more efficient government, we need alternative fuels and energy, we need healthier foods, we need to move toward sustainability, we need alternatives not excuses.
I have been called “a man of the people in the greatest sense” and told that I “do not parade false patriotism, but address the most important issues of our time in the context of hemp, a wrongly forbidden alternative to petroleum, pharmaceuticals and alcohol.”
I appreciate these words and realize the magnitude of which I ask, for you the voters of State Assembly District 41 to take the first step to heal our hurting economy, citizens and state budget by casting your vote for me on November 2nd. With the confidence you place in me, I will represent the district with the passion it deserves.
Thank you.
Independent Candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly
Jay Selthofner
