#Politicians, #Hypocrisy & the #War on #Drugs

Politicians & Prohibitionists On Drugs

Mike Crapo, Idaho Senator
An advocate for the War on Drugs, specifically advocating against the use and distribution of meth in his home state of Idaho, Crapo is a self-proclaimed teetotal, which is confusing since he was arrested and pled guilty to DUI charges in Arlington, Virginia in December 2012. Crapo was sentenced to 180 days in jail, all of which were suspended, although his driver’s license was suspended for a year.
Willie Gandara Jr., Texas County Commissioner
Texas County Commissioner Willie Gandara took a strong stance against drugs, declaring them as bad for America, which makes his February 2012 arrest for federal drug trafficking particularly awkward. Gandara spoke publicly against El Paso Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s congressional bid due to O’Rourke’s advocating for legalizing marijuana. In November 2012, Gandara was sentenced to six and a half years in prison — a light charge considering many people go away for life on much lesser charges.

Dustin Grubbs, Mayor of Poulan Georgia
Poulan was arrested for possessing a bag filled with 57 pills (a variety of Vicodin and Ocycontin). He also was in possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime (intent to sell drugs). Released on $25,000 bond in January for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, Grubbs is still the Mayor of Poulan.

Steve Katz, New York Assemblyman
Although voting against the legalization of marijuana in 2012, Steve Katz was nonetheless caught smoking marijuana. Calling the arrest an “unfortunate incident,” Katz vowed to not let the arrest interfere with his commitment to serve his constituents. Ditto to that 2000 DUI arrest. Too bad the millions of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals whose voting rights have been stripped for life for similar offenses will never have the opportunity to vote this man out of office.
Mel LeBlanc, Councilman for Arlington, Texas
A February 2012 police report shows the results of an investigation on Mel LeBlanc, Arlington Texas’ interim deputy mayor. The charges? Meth, marijuana and prostitutes. The investigation was the result of his wife calling 911 seeking help from authorities. LeBlanc had been released from rehab just two weeks prior, and yet his wife was able to turn over to the police a bag of crystal meth she found in her husband’s possession. She also claimed he was on K2 the day she called for help.
Danny Sparks, Mayor of Olive HIll, Kentucky
Mayor Sparks was arrested in November 2012 for selling pot to a police informant in the parking lot of an elementary school. Sparks was charged with felony trafficking in marijuana within 1000 feet of a school. He asked for the public’s understanding that he had made a mistake — a mistake millions others have also made but that’s consequences resulted in felony charges and serious time in prison.

Ted Vick, South Carolina State Representative
Arrested in May 2013 outside of the of House of Representative’s parking garage, Ted Vick was seen struggling to maintain his balance while walking and trying to drive while clearly under the influence of something. Although he refused a breathalyzer, the officer who noticed Vick’s inability to drive in a straight  line smelled alcohol strongly on the representative’s breath. No stranger to being on the wrong side of the law,  Vick has a 2012 arrest for DUI and unlawful possession of gun from May 2012. Alex Stroman, directer of the South Carolina GOP claims that Vick should, “resign his seat so that he can finally get the help that he so clearly needs.” Too bad the millions of people incarcerated in prisons across the US did not have someone advocating for treatment in the same manner Stroman is for Vick. No, they are just locked up instead.
(source: The Fix)

The bottom line?

Politicians should hold themselves to the same standards of the law as they expect every other American to. And, if they think the consequences of their actions are too severe, perhaps the consequences are also too severe for every other American as well.