I don’t use marijuana. I support legalizing marijuana. Not because I believe it’s a wonder drug or because it’s harmless. Because we’ve done such a poor job of outlawing its use, same as for alcohol, tobacco and firearms. More people may use it. More people will use it legally. Dry up the black market. Dry up the associated crime rate.

I favor gay marriage. It’s a no-brainer for me. Some form of gay marriage has been legalized in several states now. Gays can serve openly in the military now. The sky hasn’t fallen. The world hasn’t come to an end. Despite all predictions to the contrary. People of legal age should be able to love people of legal age. They should be able to marry and be entitled to the rights thereunto pertaining – regardless of gender.

Don’t like gay marriage? Don’t have one.

Immigration and health care reform will be with us as long as the associated costs are. Other countries provide better coverage for less money. We’re number one (or so we’d like to think). The numbers say otherwise.

Health care reform is an economic and health care outcome necessity. As long as there is a South America there will be a need for sensible immigration reform. As long as there are immigrants there will be a need for sensible immigration reform. There is no way to close all borders and engage with the world.

There’s no way. We will either figure out how to get to sensible immigration reform or it will be forced upon those who resist it with every bone in their bodies because it’s long overdue and equally necessary.

That’s what I support. That’s what I’ll vote for.

Last, I don’t think government is the cure. See: http://www.seattleweekly.com/2012-10-10/news/the-10-most-corrupt-tax-loopholes/

I don’t expect Republicans to fix them. I don’t expect Democrats to fix them. I expect people fed up with such loopholes who elect Democrats or Republicans to fix them.

I don’t expect big business to fix the problem. I don’t expect “free markets” to fix them. It hasn’t happened yet and it won’t as long as they benefit from a system the way it is to the extent they do.

I don’t expect the next election to change that. Not at all.

I vote to have a voice. I express my opinion in the hope of making a difference. I’m not holding my breath.

We will figure it out. Hopefully before we exhaust all other alternatives. I’d still like to think we’re smarter than that. Despite evidence to the contrary.

Mike Moore

Covington