| Interview with Al Krulick |
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Candidate for the United States Congress
For the State of Florida, 8th District
 By Tom Murlowski, Associate Director,
the November Coalition
Ardent Drug Warrior (and member of the powerful House Judiciary
Committee) Rep. Bill McCollum (R-Orlando, FL) is being opposed
by a candidate who is making his contempt for the War on Drugs
a central issue in the campaign. Democrat Al Krulick will be
opposing McCollum for a second time, and is calling for an end
to the War on Drugs. Krulick has attacked McCollum for sponsoring
HRes 372, (A House resolution demonizing any marijauna use be
it, medicinal, industrial, or otherwise), and for being an "arm-chair
drug warrior, who promises a new and frightening chapter in America's
long and disastrous war on drugs."
Tom Murlowski: Could you tell us a little bit about
your background? Where did you grow up? What brought you into
politics?
Al Krulick: I grew up in Queens, N.Y. in the 50's and lived
with my parents, an older brother and younger sister, in a working
class community made up mostly of Jewish WW II veterans. I went
to public schools, graduated High School in 1968, and eventually
got my BA from the State University of New York at Binghamton,
in 1973. I worked summers, and often during the academic year
itself. I began my professional career in the theatre, while
still in my teens, and am completing my 30th year as an actor,
writer, director and producer. I currently work for Walt Disney
World here in Orlando.
In terms of my political background, I am neither a lawyer
nor a professional politician. I did work for several Democratic
candidates when I lived in Massachusetts and was involved in
the Party organization as a Delegate to State Party conventions.
My interest in politics has been lifelong, and I vividly remember
the Vietnam era protests. I believe both in direct political
action, and in trying to influence change within the system.
TM: There seems to be a general feeling in government
that speaking out against current drug policies is tantamount
to political suicide. What convinced you otherwise?
AK: It is generally accepted that the issue of drug reform
is the "third rail" of American politics. My local
Party leader advised me that I'd either be "electrocuted"
or "electrified." I told him I'd settle for just being
elected! But campaigns need to be about important issues. The
"Drug War" is one of the most dangerous public policy
failures in our national life. Not speaking out about it, while
billions of dollars are being wasted on interdiction and enforcement
efforts; tens of thousands of nonviolent offenders are being
jailed yearly; and our Constitutional freedoms are being undermined
seems tantamount to cowardice and, if I might be so bold, treason.
I just felt it was necessary to bring the issue to the attention
of the voting public. Our policies cannot continue to be based
on fear, prejudice and ignorance, but rather on common sense,
science, public health concerns and respect for human rights.
TM: What kind of public response have you been seeing
to your 'Stop the War on Drugs' platform?
AK: There is no doubt that the whole issue of drug policy
reform is an emotional minefield. The American public has been
told so many lies for so long, that it is understandable when
they have irrational responses, even to reasonable and calm argument.
It is surprising, therefore, that the vast majority of people
I talk to are very receptive to my stance on drug policy reform.
It seems that the public is, indeed ready for a national debate
on this issue. Once they see that thoughtful, major party candidates
can offer alternatives to the current madness, they will also
see this debate as one between dernagoguery versus fact, political
posturing versus reason. The fact that the mainstream media has
begun to question our laws arid policies is certainly helpful,
as well. Once again it is the politicians who are way behind
the population.
TM: The American people have been bombarded with Drug
War propaganda for years and years. How would you convince them
that the War on Drugs is more dangerous to them and their loved
ones than drugs themselves.
AK: Interestingly enough, many people already know that the
"War on Drugs" is more dangerous to society than the
drugs themselves, but not enough to force a major change at the
political level. This will take time, persistence and courage.
We need to fight the lies at every level, teach tolerance and
compassion to our children, and demand it from our leaders. But
we have truth on our side, and I am convinced that the tide is
beginning to turn.
If I can help push the debate, as a Congressional candidate
from a major party, I will have done something my kids will be
proud of. At a recent "Marijuana Education Summit",
here in Orlando, sponsored by various Drug Warrior Groups, I
challenged ex-Drug Czar Bill Bennett on his stance against medical
marijuana. The exchange was reported in our local newspaper the
next day, and it certainly made Bennett look like the empty-headed
ideologue he is. It was a small victory for truth but it was
a victory nonetheless.
TM: What would be your suggestions as an alternative
to the criminal justice and incarceration model of drug control.
AK: I don't claim to have all the answers to this complex
issue. I know I am against prohibition because it is morally
wrong and in the end it doesn't work. I am against punishment,
against the erosion of individual freedoms, and against the waste
of my tax dollars on failed policies based on ignorance and hysteria.
I am against the demonization of drug users and against the propaganda
campaign foisted on our children. I believe that the truth is
our best ally and that compassion and reason our best tools.
We must work in the direction of harm reduction and away from
persecution and incarceration. The "War on Drugs" is
turning our nation into a police state and all we hear from the
current crop of Drug Warriors is, "Let's do more of the
same!" How long does something have to fail before we try
a different approach? I think it was Thomas Jefferson who said
that " the only cure for the ills of democracy is more democracy."
Let's continue to give the people the facts and use all available
legal means to force change. Let's challenge the laws whenever
we can and support those who wish to change them.
TM: Finally, a more heartfelt question. Do you think
we can end this madness soon, and bring our loved ones home?
What do you think it will take?
AK: I don't know how long it will take to end the madness.
History suggests that things often have to get worse before they
get better. Will it take a painful cancer in the family of my
opponent before he sees that his opposition to medical marijuana
is hateful and unjustified? Will it take the arrest of half the
population before it is understood that incarceration is the
wrong approach? I hope not. I can only do what I believe is right,
in the arena of my choosing. All anyone can do is keep the struggle
alive, not back down and reach out to like-minded friends. In
the end we will win.
(From Al Krulick's campaign literature: "The citizen
who thinks he sees that the commonwealth's political clothes
are worn out, and yet holds his peace and does not agitate for
a new suit, is disloyal." - Mark Twain)
Al Krulick makes his home in Orlando, Florida, with his wife,
Cindy, and their two children, Zoey and Emma. You can write Mr.
Krulick at:
Al Krulick for Congress
Florida 8th Congressional District
PO Box 540316
Orlando FL 32854
Phone: (407) 422-3602
E-mail: al@vote-al.org
Website: http://www.vote-al.org
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