Ending "Tough on Crime" -

[qwlauren35]

I went looking for articles on this, and found consistent responses from the CONSERVATIVES that they see reducing prison sentences as a way to cut government spending, so they are for it, and jumping on the bandwagon in droves. They are even saying that it helps restore the two parent household!

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/415557/republican-2016ers-are-rethinking-tough-crime-michael-tanner

Interestingly, it looks like (black) Senator Cory Booker is spearheading this, but what is amazing is how he is getting conservative senators (and the Koch Brothers) on board.

I'd like to see the Democrats at least "catch up" on this issue, because this is making the Conservatives look "black-friendly".

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

1. Tough on crime and tough on things that shouldn't be crimes

are kind of two different things, imo.

We need to get rid of a lot of laws on the books that are making criminals of so many people - especially young black men. And non-violent criminals of real crime (multiple burglaries, for instance) should be jailed at some point, but they should be learning trades and getting an education in prison, imo. The whole prison system needs reworking, imo. And for-profit prisons should be against the law.

[qwlauren35]

2. Yes.

I agree. That's why I want to see what efforts will be made to get ex-offenders jobs, and I want to see what will be done to end profiling, and arrests and harsh sentencing for petty crimes.

Interestingly, getting trades and education to prisoners takes money, which is opposite of what Republicans want. Another opportunity for Democrats to show how they want to make a difference.

The privatization of prisons and the exploitation of prisoners makes me sick.