The New Republic: Eli Sanders: 'Washington State Voters Legalize Gay Marriage & Marijuana, Cementing State's Liberal Preeminence'

Source:Eli Sanders- writes for The New Republic Magazine.

"Seattle, WA—Some 6.8 million Americans awoke today confident that their state is not only the most progressive in the nation, but even more so than Canada and Amsterdam. That’s because, while Colorado voters legalized pot and Maine and Maryland voters approved gay marriage yesterday, Washingtonians accomplished both feats with two historic ballot measures that cemented the liberal-utopian reputation of this upper-left corner of the continental United States.

The laws won’t take effect until early December, at which point same-sex couples can marry and people may possess up to an ounce of usable marijuana buds (or 16 ounces of marijuana-infused “edibles,” or 72 ounces of marijuana-infused sodas, teas, or juices). The difference between this law and marijuana-decriminalization laws already on the books in 14 other states? A person can still suffer civil penalties for possession in certain circumstances in those states, but in Washington “there will be no penalty whatsoever,” says Alison Holcomb, the author and campaign director for Initiative 502. “It will no longer be a crime to possess marijuana on Washington soil as long as you’re 21 years old.” 

Read the rest of Eli Sanders article at The New Republic

First Eli Sanders is saying Washington is the most liberal state in the union. And then in the same article, Washington is the most progressive state in the union. According to modern leftists (closeted Socialists, in actuality) liberal and progressive means the same thing to them. If that's the case, (which it's not) then why do they need two political labels to talk about one political faction? 

When I think of Washington State and Oregon as well, and even California, I think of The Left Coast. If those three states were on country separate from the rest of America, it would probably be called the People's Republic of Hippieland. Only in those states is it considered cool to be a Socialist and Communist. No need to live in a left-wing political closet over there. Similar to how you can be open about being a Christian-Theocrat in the Bible Belt, thinking that fundamentalism Evangelicalism should be the law of the land and the official religion of the United States. 

As far as Washington State legalizing both marijuana and same-sex marriage: I'm in favor of both of those things being legal, for the simple reason that I'm a Liberal. And real Liberals believe in freedom of choice, not just on abortion and sexuality, but in general. Just as long as we aren't hurting innocent people with our personal choices. Besides, gay marriage bans are unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment and Equal Protection Clause. And the so-called War On Drugs is a colossal waste of tax dollars. It makes you average DMV look like a poster for government efficiency.