direct democracy

Britain should stay in European Union, says Obama administration

"The Obama administration issued a direct challenge to David Cameron over Europe, on Wednesday when it warned of the dangers of holding a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU. A senior US official questioned the merits of holding a referendum as the prime minister's campaign to reset the terms of Britain's EU membership also came under assault from Brussels and Dublin. With just weeks to go until Cameron delivers a landmark speech in which he is expected to promise to hold a referendum on a 'new settlement' for Britain in the EU, the US assistant secretary for European affairs warned that 'referendums have often turned countries inwards'." Continue reading →

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The Next Seven States To Legalize Pot

"The Berlin Wall of pot prohibition seems to be crumbling before our eyes. By fully legalizing marijuana through direct democracy, Colorado and Washington have fundamentally changed the national conversation about cannabis. As many as 58 percent of Americans now believe marijuana should be legal. And our political establishment is catching on. Encouraged by the example of Colorado and Oregon, states across the country are debating the merits of treating marijuana less like crystal meth and more like Jim Beam. Here are the next seven states most likely to legalize it." Continue reading →

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A Swiss-Style Spending Cap Would Have Prevented the Current Fiscal Mess in America

"I greatly admire Switzerland’s 'debt brake' because it’s really a spending cap. Theoretically, taxes could be hiked to allow more spending, but that hasn’t happened. The Swiss are very good about voting against tax increases, so the politicians don’t have much ability to boost the revenue trendline. Since the debt brake first took effect in 2003, the burden of government spending has dropped from 36 percent of GDP to 34 percent of economic output – a rather remarkable achievement since most other European nations have moved in the wrong direction." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Swiss-Style Spending Cap Would Have Prevented the Current Fiscal Mess in America

Poll: Feds should back off when states legalize pot

"Americans are divided over whether marijuana should be decriminalized — 50% say no, 48% say yes — but they overwhelmingly agree on this: When states vote to legalize pot, the feds should look the other way. In a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, those surveyed say by almost 2-1, 63%-34%, that the federal government shouldn't take steps to enforce federal marijuana laws in states that legalize pot." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPoll: Feds should back off when states legalize pot

California’s Humboldt State University launches marijuana institute

"California’s Humboldt State University announced recently it would form a new institute that combines experts from the fields of economics, psychology, sociology, politics, geography, social work and public policy to help better inform the nation’s ongoing debate on marijuana reform. The school, which is accredited and funded by taxpayer dollars, said it would begin offering lectures on marijuana policies as soon as Tuesday evening. At least 11 faculty members are also onboard, according to the institute’s website." Continue reading →

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As Europe Plots Closer Ties, Britain Mulls Split

"German Chancellor Angela Merkel called last week for turning the European Commission, which currently drafts legislation and regulates competition, into 'something like a European government.' The phrase alone rattles the teeth of many British politicians, who have warned for decades of the specter of a European superstate. Last month, Cameron faced a huge rebellion within his own party as 81 of the 303 Conservative lawmakers defied his orders and voted to hold an urgent referendum on EU membership in 2015." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAs Europe Plots Closer Ties, Britain Mulls Split

Global terrorist organizations begin to respond to last week’s marijuana votes

"The President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Raymond Yans, has voiced grave concern about the outcome of recent referenda in the United States of America that would allow the non-medical use of cannabis by adults in the states of Colorado and Washington, and in some cities in the states of Michigan and Vermont. Mr. Yans stated that 'these developments are in violation of the international drug control treaties, and pose a great threat to public health and the well-being of society far beyond those states'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlobal terrorist organizations begin to respond to last week’s marijuana votes

Seattle Police Department publishes how-to guide for smoking pot legally

"The Seattle Police Department on Friday published a how-to guide that explains the do’s and don’ts of marijuana legalization in the state. Written by a former writer for The Stranger, an alternative weekly newspaper in Seattle, readers might never guess it’s an official publication of the police department were it not for the .gov web domain. Despite the unprecedented nature of a major city’s police department releasing such a thing, it went completely under the radar until Thursday, when The Associated Press picked it up first." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSeattle Police Department publishes how-to guide for smoking pot legally

Puerto Rico Statehood Experts Challenge Results

"The territory question had two parts. The first part asked voters if they favored their current status as a U.S. territory. About 54 percent of voters said no. From there, everyone could answer a second question that gave three options: statehood, sovereign free association or independence. Sovereign free association is not the same as the current status. Only about 1.3 million voters answered the second question. Of those, 61 percent chose statehood, 33 percent chose the semi-autonomous choice and 6 percent chose independence. Nearly 500,000 people left the question blank. The population of Puerto Rico is nearly 4 million people." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPuerto Rico Statehood Experts Challenge Results