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Conspiracy theory nonsense? Do you for a second believe that anything I just wrote isn't true? I've found in this world, that money is usually a much bigger f

Conspiracy theory nonsense? Do you for a second believe that anything I just wrote isn't true? I've found in this world, that money is usually a much bigger factor, and influencer. Those with money to gain, can then paint their motives up in something that will stir the masses - "Public Safety", or, "Keeping our communities safe", or somesuch. But, don't believe for a second that if there was some money to be made by reducing the prison population, that it would drop like a rock overnight. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/09/california-prison-guards_n_3894490.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/09/california-prison-g...

ars 11y ago
> Do you for a second believe that anything I just wrote isn't true? Yes, what you wrote isn't true. Read the sister posts in this thread for citations and proof. Was the link you posted supposed to be some sort of proof? It wasn't. You are simply repeating and believing conspiracy theories. And the problem with false beliefs about a cause of a problem is they block you from realizing the real problem. So if you try to solve the problem you solve the wrong problem and get nowhere at all.
- ghshephard 11y ago
  I don't for a second believe that the United States penal issue is not 90%+ correlated with the financial incentives associated with having a large penal population. To try and deal with the prison population, and inhumane sentencing laws, by not starting with that as a first principle is to abandon the fight altogether. This relationship can be subtle - For example - if politicians did not benefit financially from their roles as governors/sheriffs, etc... they would not have an incentive to do anything they could to hold onto their job (and therefore pandering to the masses to have ridiculously strict sentencing), but instead focus on doing the right thing for the people - focussing on rehabilitation and protection of society. And, I am almost certain, that their is a lot of literature showing the California law enforcement unions strongly opposing marijuana legalization, in part because it makes a significant part of their (useless in this case) services no longer needed. I am not arguing that these entrenched money powers aren't pandering to the masses desire for punishment, revenge, blood, fear, etc... But what I'm saying, is that wiser heads that would normally prevail, are being overpowered by the wealthy forces that seek to benefit from the ignorance of the masses. If you still doubt me - just think about something like tobacco - the production, distribution, and merchandising of something that is without a doubt poisonous, kills people, and harms their health - but continues because there is a lot of money behind it. Sorry - this feels like a rant, but it just frustrates me to no end the illogical nature of the US laws and sentencing.
  - ars 11y ago
    Yes, I still doubt you and I think you are 100% wrong about the cause of extremely long sentences. The cause is very very simple, and I have already said it. And speaking as the victim of theft (unlocked car door, items stolen) I would very very much like the thief to serve a life sentence for that crime because of just how much trouble it caused me. Thinking logically I know that's too much, yet, I don't care. I want a life sentence for him. Which thought will win? It's irrelevant, I don't write laws. But those who do write laws have the same thoughts, and they have victims agitating for long sentences. And it's as simple as that. If you actually cared to take action on this topic, then you would push for first offenders to get treatment, while not bothering with second offenders. You will be able to convince others to go along with you for first offenders, you will not for second.

ars 11y ago

> Do you for a second believe that anything I just wrote isn't true? Yes, what you wrote isn't true. Read the sister posts in this thread for citations and proof. Was the link you posted supposed to be some sort of proof? It wasn't. You are simply repeating and believing conspiracy theories. And the problem with false beliefs about a cause of a problem is they block you from realizing the real problem. So if you try to solve the problem you solve the wrong problem and get nowhere at all.

ghshephard 11y ago
I don't for a second believe that the United States penal issue is not 90%+ correlated with the financial incentives associated with having a large penal population. To try and deal with the prison population, and inhumane sentencing laws, by not starting with that as a first principle is to abandon the fight altogether. This relationship can be subtle - For example - if politicians did not benefit financially from their roles as governors/sheriffs, etc... they would not have an incentive to do anything they could to hold onto their job (and therefore pandering to the masses to have ridiculously strict sentencing), but instead focus on doing the right thing for the people - focussing on rehabilitation and protection of society. And, I am almost certain, that their is a lot of literature showing the California law enforcement unions strongly opposing marijuana legalization, in part because it makes a significant part of their (useless in this case) services no longer needed. I am not arguing that these entrenched money powers aren't pandering to the masses desire for punishment, revenge, blood, fear, etc... But what I'm saying, is that wiser heads that would normally prevail, are being overpowered by the wealthy forces that seek to benefit from the ignorance of the masses. If you still doubt me - just think about something like tobacco - the production, distribution, and merchandising of something that is without a doubt poisonous, kills people, and harms their health - but continues because there is a lot of money behind it. Sorry - this feels like a rant, but it just frustrates me to no end the illogical nature of the US laws and sentencing.
- ars 11y ago
  Yes, I still doubt you and I think you are 100% wrong about the cause of extremely long sentences. The cause is very very simple, and I have already said it. And speaking as the victim of theft (unlocked car door, items stolen) I would very very much like the thief to serve a life sentence for that crime because of just how much trouble it caused me. Thinking logically I know that's too much, yet, I don't care. I want a life sentence for him. Which thought will win? It's irrelevant, I don't write laws. But those who do write laws have the same thoughts, and they have victims agitating for long sentences. And it's as simple as that. If you actually cared to take action on this topic, then you would push for first offenders to get treatment, while not bothering with second offenders. You will be able to convince others to go along with you for first offenders, you will not for second.