[wardaddy]

we blame the problem on the liberals.

I beg to differ. The min/mans for stiffer Fed crack laws for instance came from a broad chorus of everyone from the Judge Roy Bean types to uber-liberal black mayors rattled by the ensuant crime waves and accelerated inner city social crumbling.

Min/Mans have worked. Problem is: They are not fair, but then again neither is a fruitcake judge in SF giving a dealer a walk and some hardnose in Ohio giving the maximum for the same crime.

That said, when drug dealers/smugglers of any size whether violent or first timers are frequently given sentences without parole that are twice what many murderers and rapists on state charges recieve...we have a problem....since 1987.

I confess to not having the answer btw.

[gcruse]

Min/Mans have worked.

Abortion is a hot topic, but I wonder what part of the reduction in crime can be attributed simply to Roe v Wade?

The threat of a high maximum sentence is not a deterrent.  However, keeping criminals locked up surely decreases the crime they would be committing out on the street, never mind that the incarceration may cost more than the crimes themselves. 

The only answer I can find is to eliminate victimless crimes.  Ending prohibition didn't put the country on a drinking binge.

[tpaine]

Cathryn Crawford; we blame the problem on the liberals.

I beg to differ. The min/mans for stiffer Fed crack laws for instance came from a broad chorus of everyone from the Judge Roy Bean types to uber-liberal black mayors rattled by the ensuant crime waves and accelerated inner city social crumbling.

The chorus of cries came because judges were reacting to the insanity of the 'war'.. They were in effect nullifying crazy 'laws', just like juries do..

Min/Mans have worked. Problem is: They are not fair, but then again neither is a fruitcake judge in SF giving a dealer a walk and some hardnose in Ohio giving the maximum for the same crime. That said, when drug dealers/smugglers of any size whether violent or first timers are frequently given sentences without parole that are twice what many murderers and rapists on state charges recieve...we have a problem....since 1987. I confess to not having the answer btw.

The 'answer' is obvious.. End the war and regulate drugs like booze..