Economy

I have some very radical ideas about the economy. After reading the Green party platform, I realized that many of my ideas are shared by the Greens. Currently, the U.S. economy is based upon market forces and the law of supply and demand. It makes more sense to me that the economy be based on effort and need. The economy should be organized through careful and frequent statistical analysis. This would require considerable resources and should be undertaken by the government because it has these resources.
I'm not an economist and have no formal educational background on economic policy beyond my own casual observations. Certain key principles appear to make sense to me. Low unemployment means more people are earning a living, which is good on its own. More people earning a living means more people capable of purchasing goods and services. More goods and services being bought and sold means there are more jobs available to decrease unemployment. Obviously, there is a cyclical and symbiotic relationship between the consumer, the worker, and the goods. It seems evident to me that a successful economy works best that encourages employers to hire as many employees as possible and workers to reinvest in the economy through consumption.
The law of supply and demand is flawed. It fails to provide the basic necessities to all citizens. By its very nature, it is vulnerable to the financial woes of depression, inflation, stagflation, and unemployment. It often exacerbates the differences between rich and poor. It encourages poverty and fosters instability. Supply and demand fails because of the lack of a tangible relationship between the actual cost of a good or service and the needs of the citizenry. The two are dependent upon each other and must be considered. Life under a capitalist system of supply and demand, whose market valuation is not always appropriate or functional, is uncertain for millions of us, where many of us are on the brink of financial ruin.
The goal of economic reform should be socialism. Unlike the bolshevik style Communists, I do not advocate immediate revolutionary implementation. Rather, I suggest gradual incremental steps toward socialism. Catastrophic upheaval to the current economic system could be destabilizing and counterproductive, regardless of its aims. After allowing these steps to take root and bear fruit, it may be realized that abolute socialism is unnecessary.
I agree wholeheartedly with the spirit, intent, and approach of the Greens. I do have a few divergent and unique ideas about the details. My plan for economic reform starts with a policy of consumer empowerment. I call for the establishment of an agency, either an extension of the government or publicly funded in the private sector, to which all employers must report vital statistics. This agency will also compile facts and statistics from other governmental bodies, such as the Dept. of Labor, OSHA, Dept. of Energy, EPA, and the Dept. of the Interior. The primary mission of this new agency is to provide tools to better inform the American consumer.
Well informed consumers will be better positioned to offer their patronage to businesses that have earned it. Corporations doing business in America which reinvest profits in their work force deserve recognition for upholding their civic responsibility. On the other hand, corporations who renege on this important obligation should be held accountable to the American consumer. Also included in the government's reporting should be reports of workers' rights violations, environmental law violations, consumer complaints, and animal rights abuses. These are issues that are important to many Americans. They should be able to decide which companies best reflect their values and deserve their patronage. Armed with this information, I feel that the American consumer can take a more active and tangible role in maintaining a sound economy.

Marijuana

I'm not a member of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), however, I am in favor of efforts to decriminalize marijuana. The impairment of one's judgement as a result of marijuana use is proven to be less than that of alcohol. While alcohol is legal and its use more widespread, there seems to be little justification for the criminalization of marijuana.
There is also evidence that suggests that marijuana has some therapeutic properties and is helpful in the treatment of glaucoma, cancer, and other maladies. Short of full legalization, marijuana should definitely be made available by prescription to help treat disease. With so few harmful, or potentially harmful, side effects when compared to other legal prescription drugs, legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes should not be controversial.
Beyond its medicinal merits, there are very practical reasons for decriminalizing marijuana. Among them is the problem of prison overcrowding. Correctional facilities are expensive to operate and maintain, and even more expensive to build. A considerable proportion of the prison population has been incarcerated for criminial offenses, directly or indirectly, related to marijauana. By making marijuana a lesser misdemeanor, punishable only by a fine, the prison population can be decreased immediately and significantly, saving taxpayers' money. Full legalization and the resulting deflation of marijuana's street value, would accomplish the further goal of reducing the number of thefts committed in order to obtain the drug.
There are also economic benefits of legalizing marijuana. The legal sale of marijuana would be subject to applicable sales taxes, providing a new source of revenue for government. Like cigarettes, special additional taxes can be imposed creating even more revenue. Since the price of marijuana would drop dramatically upon its legalization, it could be taxed at an extremely high rate without presenting a burden to its buyer.
Marijuana is not without its problems, though. While its side effects pale in comparison to other current legal drugs, it use can lead to lung cancer, emphysema, and other complications effected by smoking. Many studies also indicate that marijuana use can lead to more dangerous drugs. The same may be said of alcohol. Probably the most compelling arguement against legalization is its use with motor vehicles. Driving under the influence of any controlled substance jeopardizes the lives and well being of other motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. Again, this danger is no more prevalent with marijuana than with alcohol.
Marijuana offers many possibilities with medicne and should be decriminalized at least for that reason. Given the legality of alcohol and the many practical benefits of legalizing marijuana, full legalization appears to be justified as well. One must realize, however, that marijuana is, in fact, a hallucinogen and should be regulated as a controlled substance. Its posession, sale, and use should be legal, however, its misuse should remain illegal just as it is with alcohol.