I was listening to the gubernatorial debate Tuesday night. I am always amused how the Governors race is called the " gubernatorial " race, reminds me of Goober from the Andy Griffith show. You know Goober, cousin to Gomer. Anyway, as they were debating the issues the Lt. Governor was explaining how he would reduce the recidivism rate. Looked that up and it means repeat offenders. He went on to explain that the reason these criminals go back to jail is because of a lack of opportunity. They commit a crime and go to jail for that crime. When they get released they are at a disadvantage. Strange thing is people want to hire non criminals before they hire convicted felons. Go figure.
The way to correct this problem is to offer more opportunities for these criminals while they are incarcerated. He would provide educational opportunities, like free college classes. He would provide them with all the things necessary to succeed. Counselors,tutors and supplies. By doing that they will not commit anymore crime. Why when they are released companies will clamor to hire them ! Higher trained,educated criminals. That's what I want for my company.
There are those that will say it is not their fault. They are poor and live in bad neighborhoods. They are underprivileged. They are the victims, not the ones they injure. We Owe it to them to rehabilitate them. It is a debate that has raged for years. Scholars debate this issue. How do you rehabilitate a criminal ? I'm certainly no expert on that subject but it seems to me they would want to have to be rehabilitated. I don't think it is any different than quitting smoking or any other bad habit, you have to want it. Sure you can offer all manner of assistance but it will fail unless the person really wants it. If you go to rehab and return what do they call that ? A relapse and it is not the fault of the facility. Don't believe me,just ask any counselor about that. It is not the failure of treatment, it is the failure of the person.
Yes there are a few that commit crimes out of desperation. Trying to feed their families. The percentage of that however has got to be very small indeed. Given the number of social programs available in society today I would say, highly unlikely. This candidate, the current Lt. Governor of Maryland is living in a fantasy world. They, the current administration, has already decriminalized the possession of a certain quantity of marijuana because it costs too much to enforce that law. It also leads to prison overcrowding. Now he thinks giving criminals a college education at the cost of the taxpayers will reduce the number of crimes ? Guess that is free,doesn't cost anything right ? And he is proposing more than just a college education. His list of " entitlements " to prisoners is a regular smorgasbord of educational and social programs.
The bottom line to me is moral character. Can you really change the moral character of a person ? If so, how do you measure that ? We all take a risk in life. These people chose to risk their freedom. Should we then reward them for that lose ? From my perspective that is just what these progressive social programs are, rewards. What would it cost a law abiding citizen to obtain this education and training ? Is it free ? Not hardly. And don't try the argument that they are incarcerated and have given up their freedom. Fact is they gambled and lost. There fault, not mine,not societies.
The way to correct this problem is to offer more opportunities for these criminals while they are incarcerated. He would provide educational opportunities, like free college classes. He would provide them with all the things necessary to succeed. Counselors,tutors and supplies. By doing that they will not commit anymore crime. Why when they are released companies will clamor to hire them ! Higher trained,educated criminals. That's what I want for my company.
There are those that will say it is not their fault. They are poor and live in bad neighborhoods. They are underprivileged. They are the victims, not the ones they injure. We Owe it to them to rehabilitate them. It is a debate that has raged for years. Scholars debate this issue. How do you rehabilitate a criminal ? I'm certainly no expert on that subject but it seems to me they would want to have to be rehabilitated. I don't think it is any different than quitting smoking or any other bad habit, you have to want it. Sure you can offer all manner of assistance but it will fail unless the person really wants it. If you go to rehab and return what do they call that ? A relapse and it is not the fault of the facility. Don't believe me,just ask any counselor about that. It is not the failure of treatment, it is the failure of the person.
Yes there are a few that commit crimes out of desperation. Trying to feed their families. The percentage of that however has got to be very small indeed. Given the number of social programs available in society today I would say, highly unlikely. This candidate, the current Lt. Governor of Maryland is living in a fantasy world. They, the current administration, has already decriminalized the possession of a certain quantity of marijuana because it costs too much to enforce that law. It also leads to prison overcrowding. Now he thinks giving criminals a college education at the cost of the taxpayers will reduce the number of crimes ? Guess that is free,doesn't cost anything right ? And he is proposing more than just a college education. His list of " entitlements " to prisoners is a regular smorgasbord of educational and social programs.
The bottom line to me is moral character. Can you really change the moral character of a person ? If so, how do you measure that ? We all take a risk in life. These people chose to risk their freedom. Should we then reward them for that lose ? From my perspective that is just what these progressive social programs are, rewards. What would it cost a law abiding citizen to obtain this education and training ? Is it free ? Not hardly. And don't try the argument that they are incarcerated and have given up their freedom. Fact is they gambled and lost. There fault, not mine,not societies.
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