Will wonders never cease? Good bipartisanship!
Posted by Richard on November 16, 2012
Unlike the media talking heads and beltway pundits, I’m not a fan of bipartisanship. Usually, when members of the Stupid Party and the Evil Party join forces, the result is something that’s both stupid and evil. But in Colorado today, we have an example of bipartisanship worth cheering:
DENVER — Congresswoman Diana DeGette Friday formally introduced legislation in Congress aimed at resolving the uncertainty around states legalizing marijuana, which remains illegal at the federal level.
DeGette, a Denver Democrat, joined with Aurora Congressman Mike Coffman and other Republicans to introduce the “Respect States’ and Citizens’ Rights Act”, which would exempt states where lawmakers or voters have legalized marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act, which classifies the drug as a controlled substance.
Three cheers for DeGette, Coffman, and the colleagues who are joining them.
The passage of Amendment 64 is bringing the unlikeliest people together in support of the Tenth Amendment and is adding a whole new aspect to the concept of nullification.
BTW, I’m pretty certain that this is the first time I’ve ever said anything nice about DeGette, who’s my representative. I once observed that “she’s accomplished the difficult task of making me look back fondly at Pat Schroeder’s time in office.”
Babci said
Do you see what is happening here (aside from your point about strange bedfellows)? States are using their constitutional authority to “nullify” federal law.
Then, federal politicians are jumping out in front of it saying “yeah, we’re backing you and will make a law saying what you’re doing is okay? They are saying it is still their decision about whether or not you can do this…it is still the feds trying to stay in control. You applaud them for bipartisanship…I laugh at their arrogance.
Richard said
Sorry to be so slow responding, Babci. Due to craziness at work and a lack of focus/interest, I took a hiatus from blogging — somewhat longer than intended, but so it goes …
You make a good point. But I tend to see the glass as half full. Yes, what DeGette, Coffman, and the others are doing can be interpreted as arrogant. But I prefer to see their bill as an attempt to defend the rights of the citizens of Colorado in the best way they know how, and I praise them for that.
I doubt it’s true in the case of DeGette, but in Coffman’s case (and others) I think it’s a genuine desire to protect the right of a state’s citizens to decide such matters without federal interference. The bill, as I understand it, requires the federal government to defer to the states in this matter. I agree that it shouldn’t be necessary (the Constitution alone should be enough), but a Congressional act that reaffirms that right isn’t a bad thing, is it?
In any case, you remember the old adage about flies, vinegar, and honey, don’t you? 🙂