Mike Smith calls himself “The rational representation for the 99%,” and he’s running for District 69 of the Georgia House of Representatives. Smith is quite unique in American politics in that he openly occupies two verboten cultural stances: he is openly atheist and he is in favor of marijuana legalization. (See: Andy Caffrey for another pro-marijuana candidate for political office.)
“The failed war on drugs is the lynchpin of the Republican party’s Southern strategy, which was designed to trick white Southerners into voting against their own interests,” says Smith. “With the legalization of marijuana, we can increase tax revenue, close expensive for-profit prisons, and use the savings to improve the education of our children.” A common sense approach—astonishing in American politics.
As to Smith’s atheist stance, when asked, “Why should the people of Georgia vote for an open atheist?” Mike Smith said, “I am interested in real freedom for the people of Georgia.”
Smith has characterized his opponent, incumbent Randy Nix, as representing “the three most dangerous and politically corrupt American institutions of this century: banks, the religious right, and the Republican party.” This probably won’t endear him to Georgia voters, who are historically quite conservative, but one must applaud the man for freely speaking his mind.
According to Smiths’ website, he is a father of three and has worked as a disability attorney in LaGrange, GA for the last 30 years. Smith earned a BA in History from LaGrange College, JD and LLM degrees from Atlanta Law School, and an MA in Psychology from the University of West Georgia. He also happens to be a Vietnam War veteran and former paratrooper, which means he’s likely one tough guy. Now, however, Smith opposes all wars. Indeed, Smith’s definition of war extends beyond military battlefields to encompass “the Republican wars against women, immigrants, gays, blacks, unions, and free speech.”
Touche.
Check out ElectMikeSmith.com for more information on the candidate.
May 25, 2012 at 10:39 pm, D'kotah Green said:
Wish I lived in Georgia so I could for him. Sounds like a straight-shooter with upper management potential.
May 25, 2012 at 11:23 pm, Dan Richeson said:
I am also against war but, when long held views which were conceived on the wings of lies wages war on the liberties and rights of our fellow man, finding a peaceful outcome will be a challenge. We should not expect any elected official to do all the heavy lifting. Are YOU the reader up to the challenge of making a change? Here's how: http://www.change.org/petitions/all-elected-represenitives-and-the-united-nations-recognize-the-rights-of-cannabis-users.
June 06, 2012 at 1:08 pm, Wyatt Reed said:
Can you explain how clicking a button to sign another Change.org petition about marijuana is "heavy lifting?"
June 06, 2012 at 1:39 pm, Dan Richeson said:
I agree with your sentiment 100%! I too find it easy to become cynical, but, I'm doing what I am able to do and I believe that I am on the right tack with my own effort. Although still young, there have been signatures and kind, supportive remarks coming in from all over the world. We aren't petitioning anybody, we are declaring our rights and we are going to actively back them up. As far as heavy lifting, if this isn't heavy lifting then explain to me why it is I need to take a few days off because of the long hours I've been putting in. I realize that the effort of one person, no matter how much, how hard and how efficiently they work does not constitute "heavy lifting" but, seems I recall a song about a rubber tree and some ants…
Wyatt, there is a lot of cynicism out there and I have fallen victim to it too at times but, ask yourself this question: Does giving voice to cynicism help in motivating people to make change? Have you made any contributions of your time, effort, money to affect changes that you feel are important? If so, then wonderful. Just keep in mind though that giving voice to cynicism, despair and hopelessness only serves to mute the spirit of activism and further entrenches the status quo.
I do appreciate your comment, it does raise an important question, one that I've asked myself. I hope you will carefully read the following, click the link and at least read what is there and, of course your support would be appreciated. Oh, warning! If you do join up, I will put you to work, I will "crack the whip" and you will become intimate with the term; "heavy lifting"
Sincerely, Dan Richeson
Mission Statement: To bring an end to cannabis prohibition in 2013 by gathering signatory members through promotion and declaring our rights through the document, "Declaration of Rights of Cannabis Users". Giving prohibitionists reasonable opportunity to affect appropriate, timely and agreed upon change and, if necessary enforcing our rights in a peaceful way. After April 20 2013 adopting a zero tolerance for acts of brutality and injustice by prohibitionists.
The laws regarding cannabis were born on the wings of lies and pampered by propaganda such that now the tightly held belief systems are going to have to reckon with the desire of all humanity to live with dignity, free from the oppressive tyranny that ignorance and bigotry have spawned.
http://www.change.org/petitions/all-elected-represenitives-and-the-united-nations-recognize-the-rights-of-cannabis-users
June 06, 2012 at 1:45 pm, Wyatt Reed said:
Dan Richeson
Dear Dan,
Feel free to get high as much as often as you want. After all the "heavy lifting" you do, I'm sure you need it! But please, spare me the self-righteous bullshit about how you're making the world a better place by signing internet petitions to legalize weed. You're not, and your so-called "activism" is just about as self-serving as I can possibly imagine. Real activists stood in front of firetrucks getting sprayed with thousands of gallons of highly-pressurized water and getting bitten by Rottweilers outside Selma. I know because I've met several! You are the definition of a self-satisfied slacktivist and you are not like those people.
Yours,
Wyatt Reed
June 06, 2012 at 1:48 pm, Dan Richeson said:
You're a very fast reader!
June 06, 2012 at 1:52 pm, Wyatt Reed said:
Didn't read it, not going to. I've already read enough of them and I know what to expect.
June 06, 2012 at 1:53 pm, Dan Richeson said:
Wyatt Reed BTW I dont "get high" very often at all. AND did you see the little —see all— tab? perhaps you missed it. Further, your remark is not based on empirical evidance (eg "you dont know me") therefore I assume your remarks are "faith based"?
June 06, 2012 at 2:18 pm, Dan Richeson said:
"Real activists stood in front of firetrucks getting sprayed with thousands of gallons of highly-pressurized water and getting bitten by Rottweilers outside Selma. I know because I've met several! You are the definition of a self-satisfied slacktivist and you are not like those people." You MET several! Then I guess your statement describes YOU! And again Your comments seem a little "faith based", wouldn't you say?
May 26, 2012 at 6:16 am, Kai Stopwaronwoman Schwandes said:
Hope this is the beginning of a trend. Good lick!!
May 26, 2012 at 10:34 pm, Alison Gootee said:
Such a badass!
May 26, 2012 at 11:58 pm, Jessica Notaro-Poling said:
Gangster!
May 27, 2012 at 4:02 pm, Ray Fiddlestix Ritenour said:
Good Luck!
May 28, 2012 at 6:01 am, Mike Smith, an Atheist, is Running for a Seat in the Georgia House of Representatives said:
[...] a Democratic candidate for the District 69 seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. He’s running on a campaign of marijuana legalization, campaign finance reform, and opposition to war (including the war on [...]
May 29, 2012 at 11:50 pm, Openly atheist Georgia house candidate calls for marijuana legalization : 66184 said:
[...] source: http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/183687/openly-atheist-georgia-house-candidate-calls-for-marijuana-le… [...]