From: maxwell@fnalc.fnal.gov
Subject: Legalization Candidate for Illinois State Senate
Organization: What does *this* button do!?
Followup-To: talk.politics.drugs
Summary: Illinois Marijuana Initiative leader on the ballot for State Senate!
Reply-To: mrosing@igc.org
Keywords: Mike Rosing pro-Legalization pro-Choice anti-prohibition VOTE
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 23:24:57 GMT
X-Posted-From: fnalc.fnal.gov
X-Posted-Through: sol.ctr.columbia.edu

      [The press release below was written by Mike Rosing,  the  current 
       head of the IMI (Illinois Marijuana Initiative).  Mike is running 
       for a seat in the Illinois State Senate.
       Forwarded to the net with permission from the candidate.]
              >followup set to talk.politics.drugs<

		 Mike Rosing for State Senate

Why run for office?

	There are several issues which I feel are very important to
the future of freedom and democracy.  The present "War on Drugs" has
created an unstable situation of over crowded prisons, increasing
crime and more powerful drugs.  There are many who think that
eliminating the Bill of Rights would cure this problem.  I strongly
disagree.  In order to voice rational solutions in this era of sound
bites requires political advertising which in turn requires being a
candidate for office.

Why run on the Libertarian Party ticket?

	The Libertarians believe that the government which governs
least governs best.  I used to be a Republican because they espoused
this philosophy, but during the past few years they have abandoned it.
Reducing taxes means reducing spending and that only happens by
reducing government.  

What is your background?

	I have a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, spent 4 years working
for my father's long distance phone business and the last 6 years
working at Argonne National Laboratory.  For three of those years I
worked on "Star Wars".  More recently I work on basic research in
particle accelerators.

What has that got to do with politics?

	On the surface, not much.  However, the nuclear industry,
the telephone industry and the military industry are controlled by
politicians, more so than most other industries.  Too many politicians
are lawyers or "political science majors" who simply do not understand
technology.  Many laws today stifle competition and reduce economic
viability because today's legislature does not comprehend how fast
technology changes.

So you think technology is the solution to all problems?

	No.  Technology is a tool which needs to be applied
sparingly.  The issue of garbage disposal is partly technological but
mostly political.  The issues of polution, hazardous waste and
radioactive waste all have technological solutions.  Picking an
acceptable one is a political problem.  Having a technological
background will help me explain to the rest of the legislature what
the real tradeoffs are.

Where do you stand on the abortion issue?

	Pro-choice.  The Libertarian party position is a little
confusing because some members are definitely on the opposite side.
The basic assumption is the same: the government has no business
telling you what you can do with your own body.  The major crux is
public funding of abortions for the poor who can't afford it.  I
believe that any public funding for medicine should not be restricted,
but I'm willing to debate the need for public funding of medicine.

Who do you expect to vote for you?

	Everyone who has consumed cannabis sometime in the past
year.  As one of the founders of the Illinois Marijuana Initiative I
have publicly testified for legalization of cannabis.  There are an
amazing number of people who consume cannabis but are afraid to speak
out.  Thru the power of the private ballot I hope to get a measure of
how many people there actually are without endangering anyone's
livelihood.

Where can I get more information?

	Libertarian Party of Illinois
	P.O. Box 313
	Chicago IL 60690
	312-465-6288

	IMI
	P.O. Box 2242
	Darien IL 60559

		         Libertarian
			    
			    
		 Democrats <-----> Republicans

    Neither left nor right, go UP for a new direction in politics:
		       Vote Libertarian

*****************************************************************************

Patience, persistence, truth,       
Dr. mike                                 UUCP:    uunet!pyramid!cdp!mrosing
IMI, P.O. BOX 2242, Darien IL 60559    bitnet:              mrosing@igc.org


[Disclamer: Mike Rosing is my friend. I'm a member of the IMI. regards.max]