Proposition 19

For several reasons, I supported Proposition 19, California's proposed law to decriminalize marijuana. Proposition 19 ultimately lost; however, it received approximately 45% yes votes. Oddly, 45% of California voters favor the decriminalization of marijuana, but as far as I know, no major politician in a position to effect any change, or either the right or the left, has publically supported the decriminalization of marijuana.

This is remarkable, as it shows a huge disconnect between the beliefs held by California's (and to a lesser extent America's) voters and the policies of the political elite. Generally, the left and right disagree on virtually every major issue, mirroring their supporters' beliefs. However, with respect to the Drug War, the left and right seem to be in total agreement, the only controversial issue that I can think of for which that is the case. The unanimity with which the right and left support policies that are expensive, engender violent crime, are destructive to families, and trample individual liberty is truly distressing.