Posted on 29th Nov 2011 @ 8:37 AM

“Places like Singapore have been the most successful at doing that. They've been very draconian. And they have communicated with great intention that they intend to stop drugs from coming into their country.”

The above quote from GOP frontrunner Newt Gingrich demonstrates the full extent of his tremendous ignorance on U.S. drug policy.  In fact, it looks as though this may be the one area where his policy hasn't changed much.

In the 1990's, Gingrich introduced a bill into the U.S. House of Representatives that would have made death the punishment for convicted drug smugglers. The bill went nowehere, but according to a recent Yahoo News interview, Speaker Gingrich still insists on execution as the only effective way to stop Mexican Cartel drug smugglers. (What about legalization??)

His recent praising of Singapore's drug laws should absolutely appall anyone who cherishes freedom and civil liberties.

Singapore currently mandates death by hanging for MERE POSESSION of over 500 grams of marijuana, and much less for other drugs.

Gingrich also forgot to mention that according to the recent Kennedy vs. Louisiana (2008) case, the death penalty can no longer serve as a punishment to a crime where the victim's life was not taken.

But there you have it. If Gingrich continues to soar in the polls you may not know his true positions on his numerous flip-flops, but you can definitely count on  this latest Flavor of The Month to leaving a sour taste in your mouth in regards to drug policy reform.