Crime and Punishment

When I was a child, I like so many other children, often needed some type of correction. It was not that we as children were bad, but that we needed the guidance to set us all on the right path in life. There is a right and wrong in this life and it is important that we all know where our boundaries are.

As adults in this great country we are again faced with rules and boundaries that are set in order to maintain peace and continuity in the society in which we live. There is still a right and a wrong weather it is 1908 or 2008. Without a set of rules to live by there would be total chaos beyond our comprehension.

With rules and laws in place, we still must endure crime as there is always an element that deems it necessary to go beyond the boundaries set in our towns and cities, in our states and in our country. Because crime exist it is necessary for there to be punishment. We as individuals in our society must be accountable for our actions and deeds.

It is here in where my concerns lie. When I was that child and I was in the wrong there was punishment. I can never remember this punishment as a good thing other than looking back and knowing that it was a learning experience for me. Punishment is not supposed to be fun. It should however, be swift and severe.

In our world today a vast number of criminals live a very good life in the prisons that our tax dollars provide. These same criminals enjoy assorted benefits and rights they should not be entitled to. For example; three years ago I needed a heart bypass. On my income of around $70,000.00 annually I could not afford health insurance, yet I made too much to receive help from the state or from other sources of assistance. Had I been an inmate at any one of the many prisons throughout our wonderful country the state would have paid for this surgery. What this says to me is that we do not get rewarded for our hard work as much as we do for crime. Break the rules and end up in prison and you receive the benefit of health insurance and dental insurance so many Americans can not afford.

Every week I read in the local paper that anywhere from 30 to 80 of our local prisoners have been released early because of overcrowding in our jails. This is in just one county. Not long ago I was honored to tour one of our naval ships. I was stunned to see how 6 men shared a small cubical with bunks stacked 3 high on each side and only a space of about 5’x 6’ in-between. The very men who fight for our country, who sacrifice their very lives in order to ensure our freedom, are not afforded the same comfort and benefits as are the inmates in our local jails. There is something with this picture and it steams me.

Punishment should be just that. Prison should be a place no one wants to be, and those who have been there should strive to make sure they never have to return again. Upon conviction of a crime where prison is involved all convicts should forfeit their government and state rights given other citizens of our country. Beyond that they should be given no special rights or privileges.

There are many in my own town that don't have cable TV. In today’s unstable world why should our taxes provide this for convicts when so many of our hard working citizens can not afford this privilege in their home? Most prisons provide for conjugal visits for inmates. Going to prison means you loose your freedom. Again I ask why should our taxes pay for these visits? And let us not forget the medical and dental provided convicts when a vast many good citizens can not afford this benefit for their families. These are just a few examples of out tax payer’s money being spent in the wrong way.

It is time for the hard working people of our country to stand up and take notice of what is going on in our world. If we keep notice of what is going on in our checking accounts then we should also keep notice of where our taxes are being spent. It is not only our right but also our duty.

I know that there are those who will not agree with my convictions. Very normal in our world today where character and morality are not in the forefront. However, if you find yourself in agreement and are tired of your taxes going places you don’t agree with; take time to write a note to your state representatives, your senators and even your president. If enough of the good citizens in our county will take a stand, then our voices and desires will be heard and we will see change in our country.

Our prison system is corrupt and it is costing each of us who work hard and pay our taxes. It is time for some change in this department. It is up to each of us to make the difference.