Alternative
Published on January 9, 2004 By jaberwocky In Politics
Schemes to improve soceity, not the economy (but they do as a sideline except 3)

1. Nice and Easy, Legalize and Strictly Regulate Cannabis.

Cannabis is worth at present £23 billion. Nice little sum there. Well given taxation and investment I'm sure we can hit £30 billlion. With all this cash I'd invest some in expanding the space program. Beagle 3,4,5,6 might as well. But most would go to the Education system. University grants are gonna come back with a vengance, backed up by a graduate Tax. A bunch of students stoned of their tits is healthy for a country - creativitiy, peace and love.

But thats not all. Coffee Shops - provide employment and recreational diversity. No alcohol is to be served in these places (THC and Alcohol do not mix). Similarly it would reduce the status of cannabis as a gateway drug becasue who's gonna go to a dealer when a coffee shop has cheaper shit, better shit, and safer shit. With the non-criminal status of the sputnik the strain on prison system will be less. With less dealers the streets will be safer for everyone.

But people die from alcohol consumption, people die from smoking related diseases too - soo the income from coffee shops(eg munch tax) is gonna have to buy us some nice respiratory wards accross the grey and urban land. Long live the NHS!

Similarly there'll be investment in the technological side of this - bongs that reduce the intake of carciogens, safe filters that reduce carciogen intake while allow the thc goodness to filtrate the system. Hydroponics labs everywhere to grow the shit as well as food stuffs to reduce the strain on the rural landscape. These places are gonna need graduates but thats okay because the education system is spaanked!

2. destigmatization and regulation of prostitution
because its not technically illegal this won't really be a problem. regulated and taxed brothels would provide a safer environment for sex workers and their 'clients'. It would also make the streets a safer and cleaner place. It just makes sense. The revenue would invested in urban regeneration schemes to improve living conditions in the worst off areas. Moreover pimps wouldn't have leg to stand on.

3. leaving nato
whats the point? the USSR is gone. there won't be a big war with a country. we're not gonna suddenly invade or be invaded. the real threat is from fuckfaces like al-queada and madheads in our own lands. The oklohoma bombing was by americans in america. arndale was by the ira. it happens. terrorism is a reality of life. libya and iran are on the road to reintegration. pakistan and india are patching up. whats the point?

4.green power
the uk is windiest country in europe. FACT. wind power is the way forward. we need it: oil, coal, and gas are running out. if we start to do so now we'll be world leaders in an vital emerging sector of industry. we should do so now while there are fossil fuels to do so. the world bank gives 25 times as much to fossil fuel energy schemes than sustainable/renewable energy projects. we need to start now.
It would create hi-tech jobs and encourage other schemes. All new houses built should meet strict energy saving regualtions and standards to help the economy. rush jobs for cheap aren't a good idea when creating people homes. spend money now and save it later.

thats just afew of the top of me head...

how about making all buisness co-operatives? how about national service to instill so backbone and protect socialism (lol)? what about congestion charges in all areas and free public transport? think of how many less cases of stress and pollution and disease there'd be?
Comments
on Jan 18, 2004
Jab-you been smammed...lol.
I like the ideas, especially to get rid of nato, what a joke_the usa's own finger on the euro pulse? Bye-bye-nato..
I wonder how much longer coffeeshops will survive here. We got a ten year stay of execution from...banning smoking in restaurants/ bars and coffeeshops, but NL's 'Friend of Bush government' hates the" immoral" haha. soft drug policy, lots of pressure from...I wonder who...to close them entirely. it won't happen for awhile_too many livlihoods depend on it 25 years later.