Current Events – Page 54

Lack of Signatures Shows a Lack of Public Support for Marijuana

Jul 7, 2014JerryCurrent Events, MarijuanaMarijuana

The following press release was received from Family Council Action Committee.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 7, 2014

On Monday, proponents of an effort to legalize marijuana announced they did not have enough signatures to place their measure on the ballot for the upcoming November General Election.

Family Council Action Committee President Jerry Cox released a statement, saying, “We are pleased to learn Arkansans have rejected the legalization of marijuana once again. Voters made a decision on that issue two years ago. The fact that the measure failed to get enough signatures to make it to the ballot tells me Arkansans are standing by that decision.”

Cox said placing a measure on the ballot by way of a petition drive is a very difficult process that requires a lot of support from across the state. “Since 1984 I have conducted five successful volunteer-based petition drives to place measures on the ballot. The key is public support. If you don’t have public support, you’re going to have a hard time getting your measure on the ballot and approved by the voters. The fact they were not able to get the signatures they needed shows Arkansans do not think marijuana ought to be legalized.”

Cox said his group will continue to monitor any future efforts to legalize marijuana in Arkansas.

Family Council Action Committee is a conservative 501(c)(4) organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

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Good News: Arkansas Fails to Make List of Most Corrupt States

Jul 7, 2014JerryCurrent EventsCurrent Events

Finally, a bad list that Arkansas isn’t on.

The list of most corrupt states just came out, and we’re not even in the top 10!

A study by researchers Cheol Liu from the City University of Hong Kong and Indiana University’s John L. Mikesell found corruption in Mississippi was tops among the states from 1976 through 2008. Louisiana, Tennessee, Illinois, and Pennsylvania round out the top 5 most corrupt states.

According to the study, the 10 most-corrupt states could have reduced per capita spending by an average of $1,308 if they had average corruption levels. In more corrupt states, large corporations enhance their bottom by lobbying lawmakers for tax breaks and other government assistance rather than focusing on better business practices.

In 2013 the Arkansas Legislature appropriated several million tax dollars to help build a steel mill in Northeast Arkansas.

You can read the study here.

What are the Priorities of the U.S. Ambassador to Israel?

Jun 23, 2014JerryCurrent EventsCurrent Events, Homosexuality

10275416_684279058276165_7270504065498211710_o Israel is one of America’s most significant allies in the world. Although the country itself is small, its presence and importance are immeasurable.

The United States has enjoyed a unique relationship with Israel since the country formed in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust. And while Israel is by no means perfect, there’s no question with all the “wars and rumors of war” throughout the Middle East at the moment, now is the time to shore up our relationship with friends in the region and focus on protecting our interests and the interests of our allies.

Surely that would be the focus of the U.S. Ambassador to State of Israel, right? But you might not know it looking at the ambassador’s official Facebook page.

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