As in most cases in this world, "it's ALL about the money".

Research, if you have time, how this evolved after the failure of "Prohibition"......the best example ever(before criminalization of drugs) of how to make a lot of money.....fast.

But, in the case of drugs, the illegal traffic makes billions....and the private prisons/jails do, too....it pays on ALL fronts.

The whole thing comes down to what we have now....the highest prison rate in the world..........and billions of dollars go to pay for the private prisons and jails.

About 30 years ago, private prisons became the vogue. However, there was a problem. They were going broke. So.......as with all such situations, money flowed......and the laws were changed to the extent that what would have been a $30 fine for a bar fight became 20 years in prison.
And.....the prisons filled.....and fortunes were made....and still are being made.........as most PP contracts require 100 PER CENT occupation. Now, how does that sound to you?
Perhaps, it smacks of being more than just a little bit r****d....at least it does to me....as I watch the "justice" system in Waco.

My experience in Social Work, AA, NA, etc. showed me that you can send anyone....a kid, a man, girl, or woman.....to prison to absolutely NO avail.....except to keep them off the streets. And......the overwhelming result is a really well taught criminal.....IF the individual hasn't the backbone, support, etc. to "walk the line"....which, sadly, a great percentage do not. There must be a better alternative.

I, after watching this since the middle of the last century, find that legalization of drugs (except those like meth, LSD, etc.) with stringent monitoring with supplies given would be a far preferable alternative....and FAR less expensive on all fronts, considering prison easily costs close to $40,000. a year. Also, there are many that, if the supply for their addiction was legally provided, they would, in spite of that addiction, live productive lives.

As for pot, there was a long....about 15 minutes.....commentary on legalization last night on one of the evening news programs.....and, as I have predicted for years, it IS going to happen.

The downside? ROFL!!!! ALL of the "greenhouses" now producing flowering plants, houseplants, etc. will probably convert to pot. Years ago, in the 80's, I had a flower franchise in the new mall in Waco. The young man who supplied my potted plants and his family had about 30 acres of greenhouses. He told me, when we discussed it, that every plant would be gone immediately when Pot became legal..........

I really don't care how this evolves. I do know, and have cared, that SO man have lost everything over a tiny bit of pot in an ashtray.....for no reason other than greed, basically.

There has to be a better way!

Here are some other reasonably good opinions differing with you on the number of v**es possibly gained by letting felons v**e, and the percentage of them likely to v**e democratic. I do understand the below info concerns another law, but the 1.2 million v**e potential and the 61.5% Democratic vs 9% Republican divide is probably about correct.

The Washington Times wrote in a Mar. 8, 2005 editorial titled "Felons and Democratic Politicking":

"The bill ... would mandate felon v****g across the country, regardless of state law.

The bill shows that Democrats are more interested in the potential v****g bloc than what the Constitution allows or what Americans actually want. ...

If Congress passes the bill, The Count Every V**e Act of 2005, which failed to pass, Democratic e*******l gains would be an estimated 1.2 million new v**ers."

and

Marc Meredith, PhD, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Business Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, and Michael Morse, Research Fellow at Stanford Law School, stated the following in their Nov. 18, 2013 article "Do V****g Rights Notification Laws Increase Ex-Felon Turnout?," published in the Annals of the American Academy of Political Science:

"In New York, ex-felons who are registered overwhelmingly register as Democrats. Of those discharge records that match to at least one v**er file record, 61.5 percent match only to Democratic v**er records. In contrast, 25.5 percent match only to v**er records with no affiliation or an affiliation with a minor party, while 9 percent match only to Republican v**er records...

...Registered ex-felons in New Mexico tend to be overwhelmingly Democrat: 51.9 percent match to only registered Democrats, 18.9 percent match to only registered Republicans, 21.7 percent match to only individuals registered neither as Democrats nor Republicans, and 7.5 percent match to multiple individuals who affiliate with different parties..."

There needs to be a great deal more research done on the effects of pot before it can be legalized. For example how impaired are you when driving while stoned or how do you test for DWS.

Prohibition isn't the answer but maybe we need to take a long hard look at what the real question is. Why do drugs have such a strong presence in American society.

But I would like to know what Holders true objective or motivation is for this proposed new policy. Considering this is the man who said it's not the DOJ's job to protect the rights of white citizens.

Ya know, some don't cut ANYBODY ANY slack.......and you appear to be one of those.

***** Thanks a lot. I'm starting to think the same thing about you, since you spoke without reading what I had to say.

Of course, it's alright for a Wall Street mogul to walk for his "blow", but the black whose conviction was ten times worse for "crack" (the same thing as "blow", but a solid form) needs to stay in prison?

***** I never said they should. In fact I started this post off saying that I agree with letting them out. Don't you read the starting post or do you just pick favorite buzzwords out of the comments?

It's not a perfect world.........and those few v**es from those few....and it WILL be few.....won't matter in the scheme of things.....because it doesn't matter WHO you v**e for.........the direction of this country is controlled by European bankers who own the Fed.......and our country....and us.......

***** Right! It will be FEW. I said so. Not enough to matter. I said so.

If you want to find true "evil", turn your sights and concentration on THEM.....and find out what they actually do........like engineering 2008........just like they engineered 1929.....after shoving the Federal Reserve Act through in 1913. And, if you really want to get upset about another race...........these bankers are ALL Jews.....so that ought to set your judgmental juices flowing like cooked roast. Go to it, Boy!

***** Sounds like YOUR judgmental juices are doing just fine. I never made a r****t issue of this. Looks like I didn't need to considering the fine job you're doing of it.

I'm pretty good at predicting the future.....and the public of the world is finding who really rules this planet. And.....my great fear is that the 14 million Jews on earth will again suffer for the actions of a literal handful who have profited for thousands of years from the wars and misfortunes of the world for their own great financial remuneration. No on will ever think about the drug dealers then, will they?

Agreed! More research is needed, and laws governing use will be required, especially regarding driving while impaired.

As to usage, people don't drink and drug for fun, though it may appear to be the case. They drink and drug to alter how they feel.....to end the pain.........and most true addicts have endured physical, emotional, sexual, and/or religious abuse. Some can be casual users. Others are addicts before they ever begin. I think you'll find that usage increases with poverty and the lowering of the standard of living in times like these (recession), but I haven't checked the figures on that yet.

As far as Holder's motivation, I would LIKE to say it's from the "milk of human kindness"....but LOL, I'm sure there's an ulterior motive of which we are not aware at present...that may even eclipse the few numbers of v**es garnered by this gesture. Let's face it. He's a bleeping politician, and none of them do ANYTHING without a reason and a payoff. But.....it's the right thing to do, regardless of reasons assigned by opponents. It's sort of like the accusations of the new grandbaby being planned just for the e******n. I am SO tired of this chit......why don't people grow up and get real.......and start another party that represents the people...instead of the greedy, the banks, Wall Street, etc? BUT, it does pay to sit back, watch, and be cognizant of the unfolding as it progresses.

Yes that is my point we are all in such a hurry to put bandaids over our problems rather than addressing the true underlying reason for what is happening.

So many of those reasons for drug use are a direct result of our society disintegrating, the traditional family is being replaced with single mothers, which in turn elevates poverty, which then leads to drug use. It's all one big equation and until we stop turning our backs in some miss guilded attempt at political correctness we will never overcome our current problems.

Attack mode? You haven't seen "attack". Perhaps you might re-read your own comments and see how they look and sound. And, when you call another "r****t"....perhaps you might look in the mirror......as your post seems evidence of your own bias in racial terms.

I cut everyone slack.......we are all, each one of us, a work in progress.....be it Holder, Obama, Romney....or you......but the pot, with bias, calling the kettle black......?

Someday, humanity will do one of two things. It will either learn to use its mental faculties and THINK. Then, perhaps it will rise above the knuckle-d**gging beasts that we are.....and not destroy ourselves with the technologies we've created........and learn to GET ALONG with one another.

But, of course, mankind would prefer to destroy itself.....particularly this country, since war and conflict, seems to be our everyday affair....along with good helpings of h**e to fuel the fires.

And you think you're going to get an apology from ME?

ROFL.........a "pretender"......rips his mask of seeming humanity off and throws it to the wolves........as he shows himself for what he TRULY is........I pity anyone who has to be around you.....a truly miserable being. Again, go look in the mirror.......and see yourself for what you are. And....LOL....keep working on it, Boy......if you have an iota of honesty, you MIGHT just d**g yourself off all fours and assume a semblance of "upright".....the knuckles will still d**g.....but you'll have a clue.....if you can get that done. Have a wonderful evening.....and think about yourself..........and, probably being a "good Christian".....wonder if you REALLY represent Him whom you claim.

You're awful quick to call us fools or worse (L*****ts). At least when you use the word "thousands" in regard to the prisoners, you're close. There will probably be a couple thousand that get early release.

Maybe half will v**e Democrat and the other half won't bother to v**e for anyone. What's that add up to, one-ten thousandth of one percent of all v**ers? Less? Trooper, I think your heart is in the right place but you need to put your brain in gear before letting your fingers do the typing. Your insults aren't appreciated. Don't be so excitable, please.

And.... many states restore v****g rights to felons now, once they've completed their sentence, and why not? For that matter, just as many ex-felons will v**e Republican or Independent as Democrat. Not all law-breakers are Democrats, for Petes's sakes.