John R. Marek: Criminal Justice system focuses way too much on Enforcement
Local & National News | September 25, 2022
Local & National News | September 25, 2022
Since the 80's (Reagan screwed up everything; stop celebrating him), we've taken the tough on crime lock 'em up and throw away the key approach. Did it work? Look where we are at now. Most charges are state not federal. Far right state legislature and far right D.A. for the past 8 years. Did it work?
The only true solution to our crime problem requires and abandonment of conservative and libertarian economic ideals. It will require policies not currently supported by Biden/conservative wing of the party or Trump. Why can you walk around Paris or London or Munich or Vienne without having to look over your shoulder? Because they have a stronger social safety net, which hasn't been supported fully by either major party (really only supported by progressives).
You get what you pay for and that includes society. Want lower taxes and economic policies that benefit the wealthy? Then accept crime and a poor social infrastructure. Accept having to send your kid to a private school if you can afford it, and accept huge hospital bills any time you or a family member require treatment.
We do this to ourselves and we don't have to. Again, you get what you pay for. It will take a progressive state legislature and progressive federal legislature before we can begin to truly address the crime problem.
Oh, and the Roe v. Wade decision being overturned? Eighteen years from now, crime will skyrocket in ways we have never seen if that isn't addressed immediately. Crime went down in the 90's because Roe v Wade turned 18 year old. Not because of anything Giuliani or Bill Clinton did (though they both took credit). Crime went down in the 90's because women had access to legal abortions for 18-20 years straight. Sad but true.
