I’ve been a registered Republican for less than 10% of my life. For 35 years I was a registered Libertarian and active in the party. While my views never changed, in 2011 I decided to join the GOP as a more effective way to advance fiscal conservatism (not social) – the key issue that will decide the future of the Golden State.
One 2014 candidacy I’ve been watching with particular interest has been Republican Ron Nehring’s bid for Lt. Governor. While there is little chance of him winning in this solidly blue state, he has been doing an excellent job of hammering ruling Democrats on the failed fiscal policies that they have full responsibility for.
Expensive yet ineffective education, excessive taxation and lingering high unemployment are universally bad policies for most citizens — policies that the Democrats and their union campaign contributors deserve full blame for. Nehring has been correctly highlighting these failed policies as the cause for California’s ever declining economy. It was inspiring to see this message being pushed by the former GOP chair, and it was inclusive particularly to minorities and independents.
Then two weeks ago, I was reminded why I was a Libertarian for so many years. Nehring has since released THREE press releases calling for a continuation of the failed war on marijuana. This is an unwelcomed change in tone to his campaign. While smoking stinky marijuana is not the most glamorous or dignified image of freedom, it is the right of free people to engage in such vices so long as they do not harm others.
Oddly enough, Nerhing seemed to understand this when on March 12, 2014 he posted the following on Facebook:
“Liberty is an inalienable human right. Meaning no one — no individual, nor any group — can take away from each of us this fundamental right to choose our own destiny; to choose for ourselves with whom we will associate, and the causes we will support and oppose. Liberty is a right given to each of us by God, not by others, nor by government.”
Yet now he wants to take away the right of people to conduct a peaceful activity that harms no one besides themselves? Nehring justifies his position in that it sometimes leads to harming others and legalization would generate a massive increase in usage. But Colorado has proven this not to be the case, with fatal driving accidents not spiking at all while usage has actually declined among teenagers.
Ignoring that particular debate, should peaceful people be thrown in jail for doing something that occasionally may harm others? And if so, at what point do we draw the line on government incarcerating people for behavior that might harm another? Owning a gun likely is at the top of most liberals’ prohibition list, and I have no doubt that Nehring advocates defending the liberties of gun owners (as he should).
But his marijuana beliefs create an inconsistent position of wanting to rule people’s lives on some issues – demanding freedom only when it aligns with his personal views. It’s easy to advocate freedom for behavior and rights you condone – but a true advocate for liberty should support freedom of personal behavior even if one is repulsed by such behavior (as long as others are not directly harmed by such behavior, of course).
Following this reasoning, Nehring might well support the nanny state control of what we eat, drink, or recreational activities we engage in. Certainly the rationale is the same.
As a parent of a son who used marijuana while he fought life-threatening cancer – as well as someone who believes in personal liberties – this issue is particularly upsetting to me. I encourage Ron to rethink his obsessive support of marijuana prohibition.
Two groups doubtless are thrilled with Ron’s new campaign strategy. One would be Democrats.
They must love that Ron is painting himself as the freedom oppressing candidate who wants to throw peaceful people in jail for “their own benefit.” Such oppressive policies require thousands of VERY well paid government employees – more police, courts, attorneys and jailors. For Democrats, the increase in government employees and union dues is the best form of fundraising.
Additionally, it’s taking the focus off of the dreadful Democrat fiscal policies Nehring was correctly exposing. Strictly from a political perspective, advocating throwing pot smokers in jail is a terrible move for Ron and the Republican Party, as polls show that California has 65% enthusiasm for legalizing recreational marijuana – a figure that is doubtless even higher among the independents that the GOP needs to woo for votes. Most liberty-minded independents and people who smoke weed will read Nehing’s releases and be disenchanted with his campaign and the GOP.
Unless one is a complete hermit, we all know someone who probably smokes pot. Pushing a policy that throws such people in jail illustrates a disconnected perspective from reality that will alienate many key voters.
The second group that will be thrilled with Nehring’s shift in tactics is the drug cartels in Mexico. Nothing helps maintain these dangerous organizations’ business model like the war on marijuana. They’ll be pleased to know there’s still a foolish faction that will tirelessly work to maintain the cartel’s market by banning legitimate competition.
I’m a team player, so in spite of my profound misgivings about Nehring’s ill-advised position – I’m officially ENDORSING Ron Nehring. I do want him to win, as I do think he’d be a much better Lt. Governor than the current incumbent, dealing primarily with the fiscal problems of our state. Frankly his opposition to legalizing marijuana is irrelevant.
I hope Nehring reconsiders his position on marijuana – returning to denouncing the obviously harmful fiscal Democrat policies that have been hobbling California. These issues are the ones that the Republican Party stands united against — issues that likely will also resonate well with much of the electorate.
Comments 12
Richard:
“Oddly enough, Nehring seemed to understand this when on March 12, 2014 he posted the following on Facebook”
There is no link or anything showing what is posted.
Author
Sorry, I tried to correct it, but YOU were writing at the time! No problem though, I’ll correct it in a few moments.
I saw Nehrings FB post on March 12th as well. He had the rhetoric down pat but seems to be lacking in follow through category.
Politics is a lot like golf – our follow through matters.
I want to note that I am also against Marxism and Keynesian economics both have harmed and killed and more people than all illegal drugs combined, but I would not want Nehring censoring my reading of Marx’s Communist Manifesto or Keynes General Theory of Employment.
I love the “dignified image of freedom.” Worth clicking on the link if you need a little laugh.
Ron does a great job of bashing bad Democratic economic policies. Certainly there isn’t a shortage of them. Hopefully he returns to that tried and true strategy.
I don’t understand why Ron Nehring is highlighting this in his campaign?
There are so many other issues…jobs, the budget, jobs, taxes, jobs, water…
You know the moment when somebody at the table says something so obviously calling for a “that’s what she said” response that everyone at the table just looks at each other and starts laughing at the joke unsaid. That is what “Ron Nehring for Lt. Governor” has become.
Author
In deference to Ron Nehring’s major complaint about my piece, I have changed the word “Jihad” in the title to “Dogmatic War.” A reasonable accommodation, I would think.
Interesting. I think Ron seems to forget that when you defend freedom, you defend freedom of choice and you can’t be picking and choosing how people use those freedoms.
I am originally from Mexico and have had a warehouse at the Otay border for 5 years when I had my Import/Export business. I have seen the harm this “war on drugs” has done to citizens of both countries, and have seen how it has given the drug cartels both power and a ton of money. If we are worried about the harm drugs are going to do to our community, the war on drugs needs to be stopped.
As usual, Richard Rider gets it right again. Either the Republican Party is for Small Government and Free Markets, or it isn’t. You can not talk out of both sides of your mouth when it comes to Liberty. It is property rights that have built up the United States of America to what it is. Property Rights are your right to your Life, Liberty and Estate. Liberty being the Freedom to do what you want with what is yours. We do not transfer our Property Rights to some Elected Official on Election Day and perhaps if Mr. Nehring does a little more research on exactly what Property Rights are, he will reconsider his position.
This is obviously more of a libertarian than republican blog and I appreciate that. Nehring is doing this because Republicans have a habit of using fear to maintain bases of voters (like parents and religious people). I’m still waiting for the first “death panel” death, the collapse of our economy due to Obama care, the stock market crash that was supposed to happen 6 years ago, the emergence of the Obama Anti-Christ, the skyrocketing crime rates do to legalization, the indoctrination camps ect ect ect ad ubsurdum.
“more of a libertarian than republican blog”
Actually, it’s more of whatever the bloggers make it. We’ve asked just as many “trads” and social conservatives to write as we have “neos” and Libertarians. The offer remains open, but the “litmus test” in this case is quality writing.
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Each blog posting is the opinion of the individual author, not necessarily shared by the other site authors or administrators. There is typically no predetermined or decided “SD Rostra Opinion” on any one subject. However, SD Rostra authors are largely from the “center-right,” generally meaning moderate Republican to conservative to Libertarian.
Commenters of all political persuasions are invited to comment and debate on the blog.
Ron Nehring is a highly intelligent, well-educated and professional individual who is very clearly far too good for the broken disaster that is California, a state in the US that each day more closely mirrors corrupt Mexican politics and policies. Its a disaster! Hence successful businesses and quality families are flocking to other states. There is very little hope for the sinking ship that is now California. Nehring if elected would be a true breath of fresh air to a choking man so to speak. Though, tragically, it is not likely that Californians in toto will have enough foresight to recognize what is good for them and what will improve their current “state of devastation”. Californians like no others in the union are ignorant voters who major on the minors while becoming progressively (pardon the punn) poorer and more destitute. So, Nehring is like a diamond at a garage sale. In the wrong place at the wrong time to reach his full potential. Very sad but unfortunately true.