her state are all clamoring for decriminalization of marijuana and legalized amphetamines under FDA control—kind like Pseudoephedrine.”
He smiled. “She’s kind of old to be pushing a drug agenda.”
“That’s the whole point. She’s a child of the sixties, a flower child, a hippy. At least that’s something that would sell to her younger constituents. Her team’s running scarred right now, and I think she’d support your message if you sell it to her. Tell you what, I’ll set you up with her, and you see if she bites.”
“Alright, I’m game. When?”
“I’ll call you back.”
A few minutes later, Leigh called him about an appointment later that day.
She asked, “Can you make a two o’clock?”
“Sure. What do I need to prep?”
“Just bring the current language in the Senate bill. Ask for Ben Willis. He’s her current Homeland Security Legislative Assistant. He’s a military intern, probably a Light Colonel or Navy Commander. They serve in a Pentagon exchange capacity for one year to learn how to work with Congress -- usually headed for L&L (Legislative Liaison) in the Pentagon. Congress gets them for free, so you find a lot of them on the Hill. They’re not supposed to work on Defense bills or anything involving their branch of service. You treat him like any other staffer.
“Go to Russell, Room 201. Seniority has its privileges.”
The Russell building was the oldest of the three Senate Office Buildings with huge hardwood-paneled offices, far more ornate than Dirksen or Hart.
“Hey, Leigh. This is good stuff. I’ll get over there and let you know how it goes.”
“Yeah, do that, and then we’ll strategize on the next one.”
For the rest of the morning, Hunter felt a renewed sense of mission. He printed a summary report with statistics and the outline of a proposed new drug program.
He quickly showered and ate a late lunch before walking to the Metro. Events of the past week were still fresh in his mind so he looked more closely at people nearby and the cars on the street. Nothing seemed out of sync with the normal activities as he walked up hill to the station. The train cars were no more than ten percent full, and he was the only person waiting on the platform at King Street. He timed it perfectly, and the yellow train arrived within two minutes.
Half an hour later, on Capitol Hill, Hunter was continually impressed by the massive buildings that were designed to intimidate anyone coming there. He’d been on “The Hill” almost daily since coming east, but still found it to be a grand spectacle, overshadowing the dysfunctional relationship between the present administration and the legislature.
The Russell Senate Office Building is one do the most imposing sights besides the Capitol itself. It was the first congressional office building, opened in 1909, meant to relieve overcrowding in the Capitol building. Except for the modern-era metal detectors and extraordinary security measures needed in the twenty first century, the building would dazzle anyone visiting it. Inside the rotunda, there were eighteen marble columns supporting its coffered dome, flooding the inside with sunlight. Twin marble staircases led to the elegant Kennedy Caucus Room, featuring more pilasters and richly detailed marbled walls and gilded ceiling. It still retained the original 1910 benches with carved eagles. It has hosted some of the most important legislative events in history.
The building is faced outside with marble and limestone on a foundation made of gray granite. It is connected to the Capitol by an underground passage with golf carts for the private use of Senators and their guests.
He bypassed the information desk and walked to the second floor. At room 201, he was impressed that Senator Blithe’s waiting room was as large as the entire office complex occupied by Congressman Stubbs, complete with three receptionists, which seemed excessive for a Senator with no significant committee assignments. Seniority had its perks in Washington. Willis came out to greet Hunter immediately after signing in.
“Mr. Kohl, welcome to the Senator’s office. I’m Ben Willis, please come with me.”
After shaking hands, Hunter was impressed by Willis’s demeanor. He was tall, over six-three, with an obvious military haircut and a suit that was probably too expensive. He was a few years older and looked to be in excellent physical condition, not like most of the over-worked bureaucrats he normally met.
Willis took him to a private office which had numerous pictures of the Senator standing by airplanes and bridges, and shaking lots of hands. She had aged in the office over thirty years. Willis said, “Can I get you something to drink?”
Hunter smiled, “No, I’m fine, but help yourself.”
“How about some bottled water if I have one?”
“Sure.”
Willis opened a door on the credenza behind him to find a concealed refrigerator. Hunter noticed beer in addition to soft drinks.
They talked a little about themselves, and Willis eased up when he learned about Hunter’s background. He’d been in the trenches of the drug war.
“So, Hunter, I understand from Ms. Bryant that you want to talk about our support for changing the way we treat illicit drugs?”
“That’s right, Ben. I represent the California Office of Drug Enforcement. As you know, there have been many attempts to change the way we treat the drug problem in the past.”
“Yeah. We deal with it in the military and I did some on-line work before you came over.”
Hunter liked his directness. “Then you know we spend billions each year and haven’t solved illicit use in America.”
“Okay. So, what do you want from the Senator?”
“I’d like to ask the Senator on behalf of California to support changes to our policies on regulated substances. We’d like to have certain currently illicit drugs under sanctioned for controlled distribution, sort of like tobacco and alcohol.”
“What about the kids in our schools?”
Hunter shook his head in affirmation. “We would do more to curb illicit use if we started a program to control the distribution openly, kind of like the way booze and cigarettes are controlled, than trying to catch illegal dealers in back alleys.”
“What about the DEA and ATF? What would they do under a new policy?”
“The DEA could be downsized or eliminated if we had regulated production in The States. Enforcement duties could move into FDA and ATF.”
“What about more users having access to mind-altering drugs.”
“More than what? Right now, no one checks IDs when the stuff is bought. We’re not making them more available. We’d finally have some control over distribution. All distribution today is illegal and uncontrolled. Statistically, the “war” approach hasn’t been effective.”
“Yeah. But if it was legal and cheap, and you could buy it at Safeway, a lot more would use the stuff.”
“Who said it would be cheaper? The Government could impose taxes and tariffs, just like on cigarettes and booze. The prices would depend on how much goes back to the Government. But the biggest difference is that the drug gangs all over our cities would disappear and border violence would stop. We spend enormous money and lives to stop illegal drug trafficking, and Americans pay huge money, which goes to murderers for distributing it. Take away that expenditure and put taxes in place of drug dealer profit, and we’ve got a program that pays for itself, including more publicity campaigns against drugs. Another side benefit is that drug crimes wouldn’t be filling our prisons to overcrowding anymore.
“If we had legitimate farmers harvesting in the US, like tobacco farmers today and FDA approved labs making energy-drugs, like Red Bull, we could pay less in farm subsidies instead of Americans giving hundreds of billions in drug money to farmers in South America and Mexico.
“But, the big benefit is FDA controls of dosages and purity. Take amphetamines, for example. You can buy Sudafed over the counter and get high if it’s abused, so there’s not a big difference.”
Willis took exception. “Sudafed has a legitimate medical purpose.”
Hunter agreed. “Yeah. If that’s why it’s purchased. But also look at so-called energy drinks. Look at Caffeine. All can be abused.”
“I don’t know, Hunter. This could backfire.”
“Sure it could, but our surveys show that most Americans are fed up with the violence and the subcultural aspects today. If they only knew how much was being spent on a failed policy, most would support change from being illegal to a regulated policy.”
“It’s not politically popular.”
Hunter looked at him. “Hum, how would anyone know unless they tried? Everyone thinks the old kick-ass way is the right way. If they knew the expense and the failure truths, it would change minds. What about the hundreds of thousands that have died in the violence because of American policy?”
Willis heard all he wanted. “Look, Hunter, I’ll talk to the Senator and get back to you.”
Sensing a brushoff, Hunter added. “Ben, also think about this. Senator Blithe could lead one of the most important shifts in policy in fifty years. This could re-launch her career.”
“Well, we don’t think she’s seriously threatened.”
Hunter had only slightly more political experience than Willis. “I wouldn’t be so sure, Ben. Even the party is looking for new blood. The Senator has a lot of influence that could make this gain traction. I think a lot of her younger voters would like this initiative.”
“I’ll