Pubdate: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 Source: Standard-Times (New Bedford, MA) Copyright: 2011 South Coast Media Group Contact: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/422 Author: Judith B. Sasmore JUST SAY NO TO BARNEY FRANK Maryland and Massachusetts, two states. What do they have in common? An issue that I am addressing is that a representative from each state is pushing to make two current illegal actions legal: Gov. O'Malley of Maryland wants to allow illegals to go to college in this state on in-state tuition at taxpayers' expense; Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts wants to legalize marijuana. What do both of these actions have in common? Garnering votes for these two incumbents. Responding to O'Malley, if illegal people want to pay in-state tuition, then the reasonable next step is to become a legal citizen in this country and live in the state. Immigrants have successfully done that for years and years. Why do we as legal voting and tax paying citizens have to give in to illegals because the sheer numbers of them make it easier to cave in to their demands? What does that say to the parents who are citizens who are working two jobs, and their kids who have part time jobs just to pay for in-state tuition to get in to our colleges and universities? Responding to Frank, because something is costly or difficult to enforce doesn't mean that we cave in to that either. How would you like to be a teacher (which I was for 34 years) and have kids in your classroom on marijuana? This usage would filter down to middle and elementary schools for sure in any number of scenarios. Kids high, sick, or in a daze would not benefit from the best teacher presenting the best curriculum, let alone one who's also on marijuana. Nor do we need more drivers on the road who aren't sharp or totally focused, or marijuana smokers in any number of professions or vocations. Who would this benefit? Only the politicians who push it through as law. Again, legal, taxpaying society would again pay in many ways for the repercussions. Maryland and Massachusetts voters, it's up to you. Judith B. Sasmore Keedysville, Md. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.