Reader comments
Chaffetz joins GOP's fight against drugs

Real Change | 5:13 p.m. July 9, 2009

The war on drugs was lost a long time ago. What we need are new ideas to solve the drug problem, not stricter adherence to outdated political dogma.

MaryJane | 1:22 a.m. July 10, 2009

The War on Drugs is a War on People, the laws are racist, greedy and corporate backed. Regarding Cannabis - do you know how draconian it is to stop people from using a plant that humans have utilized for thousands of years? Cannabis is a plant that has killed no one ever and is less harmful than alcohol, nicotine and a safe alternative to many addictive synthetic drugs. Hemp was praised by Washington and Franklin, and Lincoln was opposed to prohibition. If the Republicans were smart they would return freedom & individual autonomy to the American People.

The Government has been fighting this losing battle for more than 70 years, Prohibition is the worst policy ever in the history of the country (remember when it didn't work the first time?) and Americans are fed up. Time to educate, regulate, and legalize drugs. Cartels will be out of business and kids won't get them as easy because ID to prove their age would be required, just like alcohol.

Everyone should visit LEAP, www.leap.cc & www.jackherer.com

uncannygunman | 7:51 a.m. July 10, 2009

I've never thought of the war on drugs as something that individuals could "join." But if you do look at it that way, then you could characterize drug users as resistance fighters.

Comments continue below

Time to change | 9:13 a.m. July 10, 2009

The war on drugs has not brought any improvements in drug abuse. Time to change the game plan or continue losing.

Jason | 10:38 a.m. July 10, 2009

Is a stooge. I'm going to cut and paste that in every story about him from now on. Jason, can you hear me? Get over yourself, and DO something. Making bonehead public pronouncements and joyriding with the cops is not the same as doing WORK my silly leetul frend!!!

RE: Jason | 3:10 p.m. July 10, 2009

Being able write comment posts to a newspaper story,

does NOT make you an intelligent critic or right.

@ Jason | 12:04 a.m. July 12, 2009

Let's see. Rep. Chaffetz passed an amendment to draw the line for TSA re: The 4th amendment and whole body screening. That passed with 300 votes.

I am showing 9 Bills Rep. Chaffetz has submitted as a sponsor. If you count others he is co-sponsor of there are a lot more.

Initially whole-body imaging restrictions was a bill.

Chaffetz sponsored bills (not including co-sponsored): H.R.2027, H.R.2193, H.R.2265, H.R.2353, H.R.2914, H.R.2915, H.R.2916, H.AMDT.172 to H.R.2200.

That doesn't include converting H.R.2353 to a proposed amendment to require utilities to show what the cap/trade costs are.

john | 11:08 a.m. July 12, 2009

Does outspoken support for the stupid pointless war on drugs still garner support from the ignorant masses??? Aren't most of us smart enough to realize that the war on drugs is a waste of resources that only makes a bad situation worse. Wake up politicans you may think your leading, but it dosen't look like many people are following. Drugs are bad, prohibition is a complete disaster.

RE: john | 3:25 p.m. July 12, 2009

Perhaps those "ignorant masses" know something you don't.

JMT | 5:44 p.m. July 12, 2009

Let me see, someone posts an intelligent response to Chaffetz and the soviet style screeners at the Deseret News - ever the supporter of the First Amendment - sensor it.

I don't what is worse. The absolute con-man Jason Chaffetz or the mindless soup nazis at the Deseret News. It is very frustrating trying to figure out your flavor of the day. It's like dealing with the US Army public affairs officer all over again.

Go figure! But keep up the good work.

Lou Jellyfinger | 6:53 p.m. July 12, 2009

The group pushes four core initiatives: stopping drug use before it starts through education and community action; healing drug users; disrupting the narcotics market; and stringent narcotics enforcement.

I think their first two are spot on. However they really need to concentrate on the last two. If they were really serious and not slaves to special interests we could solve the other two. The best way to disrupt the narcotics market is to have control of it like we do with all other products. Tax it and legalize it. The other special interest controlled Prison Industrial Complex is the real tough one to get rid of. As is evident in all of the news we get from these public servants defending us and imprisoning us if we get out of line. We trust your forsight and integrity to do the right things for your real bosses.

Mark Godfrey | 8:02 a.m. July 19, 2009

What does the GOP hate and fear most: privacy or freedom?

Anonymous | 9:16 a.m. July 19, 2009

Read the Doctrine and Covenant, drugs are evil. Keep up the good fight Rep. Chaffetz.

Chase E. | 10:57 a.m. July 19, 2009

Of course the republican representative from Utah would be a part of this. People in our lovely state need to realize that the "War on Drugs" doesn't work. To this day Billions of dollars have been spent on this war and recent studies have shown that it is easier for high school students to obtain illegal substances (marijuana specifically) than legal substances like alcohol. Obviously They are doing something wrong, and this caucus is just continuing to do the same things. I for one find this ludicrous. As a recent high school graduate I can tell you this, the anti drug campaigns that are shown in schools do nothing more than spark interests in youth. Here's to hoping that this caucus doesn't last very long!

Glen | 11:14 a.m. July 19, 2009

Hey republicans, make up your mind. You cannot decide if you want to pry into people lives, or have smaller government..

Oh, it is whichever is more convenient at the time. This hypocrisy speaks volumes to the utter lack of intelligence these people have to offer.

They don't hate drugs, they hate education.

To Mark Godfrey- | 11:16 a.m. July 19, 2009

My answer to your question;

What does the GOP hate and fear most: privacy or freedom?

I fear insane liberals. Who are a direct threat to both my privacy and freedom.

Common Sense | 11:58 a.m. July 19, 2009

It's good to see the Republicans want to join the race against the Democrats as to who can waste the greatest amount of tax payer money the fastest...
STOP THE WAR ON DRUGS

Hippy | 1:09 p.m. July 19, 2009

Hey Mr. Chaffetz. If you don't like drugs, Don't use them. If you don't want your kids to use drugs, Tech them the dangers yourself.

You're out parading this fantacy that you can rid the world of a weed. Meenwhile your dandylyons are taking over your lawn and your medicine cabnate is being raided by your kids.

mick | 12:51 p.m. July 20, 2009

Consumers should not be criminals for the act of consuming. Even if they're consuming things that I don't like. I used to be a republican.

Drug testing | 1:03 p.m. July 20, 2009

Can we test DC liberal/marxist's for what they've been smoking?

Their screwing up this country so bad they gotta' be high on something.

so long, Mick- happy bonging trails! We won't miss you!

mntnman444 | 5:04 p.m. July 20, 2009

Another phony republican who claims to believe in small govt,states rights and opposes wasteful spending.What a hipocrite!

brewyourown | 7:02 p.m. July 22, 2009

I used to work for a company that provided payphone access to prisoners of jails. I did this work for over 4 years and visited over 70 facilities nationwide.
I have a question for Mr.Chaffetz:
If in an environment completely controlled, observed and regulated by force if necessary drugs were readily and I assume still are available for a price.
How in the world in a free nation do you plan on LEGISLATING control of a weed?
How many more citizens will be classified as 'Felons' stripped of citizens rights before you consider the war won?

Our company made obscene profits with no worry about economic pressure, all at the expense of the "families" with loved ones incarcerated?
All I want is the right to be left alone if I am not harming anyone... I guess that is not considered American anymore.
I also see facts mean nothing in this argument, it is just too profitable to keep locking up/ collecting the proceeds from the jail machine.
We build more jails than schools... is that a good plan Mr.Chaffetz? You must believe so. Your actions declare it.

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