This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.
Johnson the obvious choice
I received an email from the Drug Policy Alliance regarding the actions of the Republican Congressional leadership stripping from the final VA funding bill an amendment allowing veterans access to medical marijuana that had passed both the House and Senate. That email requested that I contact Speaker Paul Ryan, so I am sending email to request that he restore that amendment and also to explain why people like me have been driven out of the Republican Party.
My support of the Republican Party began in 1968 when I campaigned for Henry Schadeberg for Congress in Ryan’s own first district in Wisconsin. My break with conservative Republicans came in 1995 when National Review supported the anti-immigration policies of Pete Wilson over the pro-immigration views of Jack Kemp, and I canceled my subscription.
In 2008 I ran for Congress as a Libertarian against Cathy McMorris Rodgers. My primary motive for running was her opposition to medical marijuana.
Even if the Republican Party had a less repugnant nominee than Donald Trump, Republican positions on marijuana and immigration make Libertarian Gary Johnson the obvious choice for president.
John Beck
Spokane