Being a police officer Falling leaf, I can definitely understand your frustration regarding the system and it's outcomes.
I agree with Moderate Centrist on one point that being we don't need to change laws. What we need to do is enforce the ones we have and hand out the proper punishment, which is not occurring on a regular basis in our system today.
I wish there were ways to protect our children but there isn't. There are predators out there who don't care. Alot of people think we need to help them. Not me, especially pedophiles.
We continuously argue back and forth on how we should incarcerate individuals and how to treat them with programs within so when they get out they will be wonderful people.
They won't. (A small minority will but in general, no.)
On a regular basis I have dealt with adults and Young Offenders with "Rap Sheets" three to four pages long.
That would be say 60 to 100 charges. Some are stayed, some are dismissed but most are convictions.
I also dream that after they have done their time in prison they are released with a new lease on life. They are not.
You have to understand they come from a bad situation and don't care if they go to jail. Alot of their friends are there and some relatives.
We ourselves would care if we went to jail cause we have people we love, a job, friends a nice house/apartment and most of all have a sense of what's right and wrong.
We continue to argue whether capital punishment is a deterent or if it is cheaper.
Myself being for Capital Punishment we have to stop arguing any of those points. It's about ridding our society of evil.
If one thinks alot of these serial offenders just need a chance, no problem we will send them to their house to play with their kids and hang out with their spouse.
Others against Capital Punishment look at statistics from other Countries and say, "They have Capital Punishment and it hasn't stopped crime there".
That's the point. If Death is a punishment and they still commit crimes what else are you going to do. Those individuals will not stop no matter what. We have a varity of people on earth and some are just evil.
We have to rid ourselves of serious serial offenders, 30 years, no probation or the Death Penalty.
As for assaults, theft etc I have no problem with alternative measures, probation, small amount of jail time or community service if the crime and person fit.
But if you do three Break and Enters, go to jail, get out do another six, get one year and then get out and do another 5 its time to send you away for good.
Not only do I not want him to break into my house, I actually dont want him to break in to your's or the single senior's home and have her so terrified she doesnt go out of the house anymore. I see it first hand.
We all look for the magic pill and want the answer when usually its right there in front of us.
We are either to scared to do it because of what some special interest groups or foreign countries will say or we really dont want to (and I'm not going to say stop crime) get rid of persons that cause us pain and loss. (Not including ex-wives)
I would be in favor for Capital Punishment and 5 strikes your out, two more than California. (I'm soft that way, must be Canadian)
