Think globally, govern locally

STEVE SMITH

One of the common themes in this space over the years has been the

notion that local politics is far more important to our daily lives

than anything going on in Washington.

With the exception of the occasional change in a tax law, up or

down, the federal government’s impact on our daily lives has been

reduced to putting out brush fires; to reacting to crises and to

special interest demands instead of making proactive decisions that

would have prevented the crises in the first place.

In Washington these days, there is too much at stake for anyone to

take a stand on anything but the top four or five issues we hear

about all the time. You’ll hear positions on abortion, crime and all

the other headline stories, but it is not very often that you hear of

a politician trying to stop a crisis before it begins. Usually, that

is a kiss of death.

Recent examples are the Clinton Administration’s attempts to

reform healthcare. Forget for the moment whether you like or dislike

Hilary or Bill Clinton or whether you agreed or disagreed with their

ideas. The point is that they took an early position and tried to

make some changes that they believed were in the best interests of

the nation. What they got instead was stonewalled.

The same is true for President Bush’s current attempt at the

mini-privatization of Social Security.

Again, agree or disagree with him, at least he’s offering a

solution to what he believes is a pending crisis. He’s out front on

the issue and getting slammed. In short, Washington politicians play

it safe. The result is inaction.

In either case, it was or is more important to preserve the status

quo than to effect change.

That’s why we should appreciate local government. This is where it

all happens, where it matters most to us and where we have the power

to influence without always having to pay to play.

Whether it’s a new City Hall in Newport Beach, a Job Center in

Costa Mesa or soccer fields for both, local government is not afraid

to take a stand. The buck stops here.

One of my new “local” heroes is California Attorney General Bill

Lockyer, who responded to the fresh U.S. Supreme Court ruling in

Gonzales v. Raich, which holds that federal laws prohibiting the use

of medical marijuana remain in effect regardless of state laws that

permit its use.

In response, Lockyer took a strong, bold position and did so

without wasting a moment of time. In his statement, he said, “Today’s

ruling does not overturn California law permitting the use of medical

marijuana, but it does uphold a federal regulatory scheme that

contradicts the will of California voters and limits the right of

states to provide appropriate medical care for its citizens.

“Although I am disappointed in the outcome of today’s decision,

legitimate medical marijuana patients in California must know that

state and federal laws are no different today than they were

yesterday. Californians spoke overwhelmingly in favor of medical

marijuana by passing Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use

Initiative, and that law still stands in our state.”

Understand that taking a stand on this issue is not one that is at

the top of any politician’s list of things to do. Courting the

medical marijuana vote has never been seen as the road to higher

office, unfortunately because of the stigma of the drug that has

persisted since the 1960s.

But courting the state’s rights vote, courting the tough-guy vote

and courting the “do the right thing” vote has always resonated with

voters.

The local issue here is a medical marijuana dispensary that has

been proposed for Newport Beach. The dispensary is currently under

review.

It is hoped that the recent ruling will not be a crutch on which

the Newport Beach City Council will rest in order to vote down the

dispensary. As long as there is a need for medical marijuana and as

long as 80% of Americans believe that its use should be allowed --

and controlled -- there should be a resource for sick people to get

the medication they need.

The power of local government to change our lives has never been

more apparent than in a ruling such as this.

Before leaving this subject to tackle other issues, there is a

suggestion for the advocates of medical marijuana. I don’t mind

having these medical marijuana columns being listed on

cannabisnews.com or other pro-pot websites, but this is not about

legalizing pot.

This is about providing proven relief for people suffering from a

variety of serious illnesses, including chemotherapy patients. If

asked, most Americans would approve of medical marijuana but not the

legalization of marijuana for all adults, sick or not.

My suggestion to the medical marijuana proponents: If this is what

your cause is truly about, run from the pro-pot people as they are

confusing your message and hurting your ability to advance your

position.

In the meantime, we’ll see what one local government is made of.

* STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and a freelance writer.

Readers may leave a message for him on the Daily Pilot hotline at

(714) 966-4664 or send story ideas to [email protected].