Re "Governor asks: What if pot's legal and taxed?" (Page A1, May 6): I am amazed that a state that bans smoking in public places because of harmful secondhand smoke would consider legalizing marijuana. Not debating the harmful aspects of smoking dope, legalizing it for tax dollars seems to me the height of ignorance. If the state wants more money, why battle the feds to change the law?

There is a legal source of income that is always ignored because of liberal activists: Open offshore drilling for oil. It would take some time for oil to be produced, but millions would be put into state coffers immediately with the sale of leases. Then production would produce income from each barrel pumped. Also, it would reduce our need for foreign oil and reduce our gas prices, as the oil would be in our state for our use.

[continues 82 words]