The new States' Rights issue...

[jerseycajun.livejournal.com]

Well, not really new, so much as it is coming into its own, apparently.

Washington and Colorado both passed measures effectively legalizing recreational marijuana use.

What's most interesting, or perhaps amusing to me, someone who already thinks this should have happened and nationwide, and a long time ago, is how those who reside on the political left will couch the terms of this on the national stage.

I've experienced in the past, the phenomenon that even the mention of the phrase "States Rights" elicits cries of "you want to go back to the days of segregation?!?!?" before one can even get to the part where they describe what issue it is they're applying the term to. Kind of like a peculiar variant of Tourettes' syndrome. It's almost reflexive.

But essentially, that's the only phrase we have to describe the upcoming and all but inevitable battle between these two states and the Federal level. I want to gather thoughts on the left here how they view States Rights in this context, how it compares to when those on the right use it regarding things like social support structures. Why is it different, if it's different, in your eyes?

Comments

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

Well, if people are stupid enough to shoot at the US government and not thinking it'll shoot back, it's like walking into bear country smeared in sheep's blood. Eventually stupidity achieves its own reward.

It wouldn't matter which brand of idiocy started shooting, either. I apologize if this offends the fever dreams of whatever pseudo-rebellious Robert E. Lee wannabe hipsters make up today's Conservabertarian Right, but reality hurts. Get over it.

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

Well that is the nature of law (http://talk-politics.livejournal.com/959722.html) is it not?

What you are really saying when you say "that there ought to be a law" is "that someone should shoot you on my behalf should you behhave in a manner I find distasteful".

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

Not on *my* behalf, and far enough away from me that I'm not likely to become 'collateral damage'. Ideally nobody would be stupid enough to repeat what failed 150 years ago now, but this is far from an ideal world.