cannabisnews.com: Debate's Lighter Moments Debate's Lighter Moments Posted by CN Staff on October 13, 2002 at 16:47:26 PT By The Associated Press Source: Associated Press New York -- Seven candidates, each with a minute to respond to each question, no rebuttals allowed. Not exactly riveting television fare.But Sunday's debate among the men who would be governor had some lighter moments, thanks largely to the minor-party candidates, some of whom readily admitted they had no chance to win the office and were merely trying to garner enough votes - 50,000 - on Election Day to keep their parties alive. The first came during a question gauging how the candidates felt about raising taxes. Thomas Leighton, of the Marijuana Reform Party, offered a new revenue source."I represent close to 1 million New Yorkers who are probably standing in line, ready, willing to pay taxes," he said. "New Yorkers who smoke marijuana would much rather pay taxes to the state ... and not have to risk getting arrested or buying their marijuana from black-market dealers. I am probably the only candidate on this stage who has a constituency that wants to pay more in taxes."But that claim was denied quickly by Scott Jeffrey, of the Libertarian Party, sitting next to Leighton."I am a pot smoker who does not want to pay more in taxes," he said.Jeffrey later added another, er, highlight when the candidates were asked what they would do with the World Trade Center site. He attempted to use the question as a springboard to talk about domestic peace issues but was prodded to remain on the topic of the site itself.He said, "Well, you know, what would I know about that, so ... ," and he trailed off. Source: Associated Press Published: Sunday, October 13, 2002Copyright: 2002 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Sites:Vote Jeffreyhttp://www.votejeffrey.com/Marijuana Reform Party of N.Y.http://www.marijuanareform.org/Pataki Agrees to Debate, but on a Crowded Stagehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14438.shtmlCandidate Fires Up Campaign for Pot Use http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14243.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by canaman on October 13, 2002 at 21:03:22 PT Must be a first for TV though..... Two candidates looking at cannabis realistically for a change.When the people lead the leaders follow. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Nasarius on October 13, 2002 at 20:18:16 PT Taxes? IMNSHO, the Libertarians are often quite unrealistic when it comes to cutting government programs (and therefore taxes). It's a little ridiculous to not expect to pay at least sales tax on cannabis if it were legal. Also, Mr. Jeffrey says he is a pot smoker. Then he's already paying an enormous black market tax of several hundred percent. It's very doubtful that any government tax would be nearly as high. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by canaman on October 13, 2002 at 19:33:44 PT To pay taxes or not to pay taxes... that is the question. Whether it is nobeler....but I digress....Really wish I'd been able to see these issues brought up during this 'debate'(?). I mean to say, you have Thomas Leighton, of the Marijuana Reform Party saying, "I represent close to 1 million New Yorkers who are probably standing in line, ready, willing to pay taxes" then you have Scott Jeffrey, of the Libertarian Party(true to his party) saying,"I am a pot smoker who does not want to pay more in taxes" ....I'm glad I don't live in NY I just wouldn't know who to pick!I hope the other cowardly canidates felt more than a little uncomfortable. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment