The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I disagree. We don't chop off hands for stealing. I'm not suggesting that we begin doing that, but I would guess that if every kid who stole from a convenience store was missing a hand, other kids might think twice about doing it. That person who has their hand chopped off doesn't go to prison in whatever country, their punishment is immediate and physical.

Just to give equal time to white collar crime, we also don't blow out the brains of corrupt executives and government officials like they do in China.

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I don't think crime is necessarily an expression of freedom, but often times occurs because of lack of fear of penalty.

I agree, but this doesn't mean that the penalty isn't there. If you're suggesting that jail isn't a harsh enough punishment, I disagree. None of my clients like being in jail or having been in jail. Nonetheless, they often have served prior jail or prison terms. They all know people in jail or prison. I think it comes down to the fact that a lot of our poor criminal class has no investment in the larger social structure, and they just can't put two and two together. I don't know that it would be meaningfully different if we started chopping off hands.