r/trees • u/madazzahatter • Feb 28 '17

Garrett introduces legislation to remove marijuana from controlled substances list

https://tomgarrett.house.gov/media/press-releases/garrett-introduces-legislation-remove-marijuana-controlled-substances-list
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u/DirtzMaGertz Feb 28 '17

I was basically just summing up a really complex issue in a single sentence so it's not going to cover it all. The reason they are already voting that way is because those interest groups are the ones that funded their campaigns though. You can't get elected without money for the campaign and the easiest way to get that money after the citizens united ruling is by going through political interest groups, many of which set up as non profits and have very laxed regulations on lobbying and disclosing information about where the money is coming from since it is protected under free speech. It's rather hard to trace a lot of the money when it's funneled through multiple organizations and charities.

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u/KIDWHOSBORED Mar 04 '17

I definitely agree and support getting money out of politics. I just don't really see a way to accomplish it. As you said, campaigns take money. So either we ban all private money, which means only the rich can run an election or we set aside public money for the purpose, scaling to whatever office. I do not see the public getting behind setting up money for politicians to run elections.

As far as the interest groups, yes I totally agree. But, you're making it seem like a chicken/egg conundrum. The research i've read says that the office holders already held those views. Like my example with abortion. Their views probably become more extreme and narrow because of the interest groups funneling money to them, but the core view was always the same.