Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
I think the optic at play here, and at play all too often in our society, is that we have convinced ourselves that this is a "modern" problem, a result of our decaying society and moral values. I disagree. We have been encumbered with violent, recidivist criminals for the entire history of mankind. I'm not convinced it's any worse (or better) today than it has ever been. I do believe that we have dealt more effectively with them in other times and places. Our current "kid gloves" approach is, I believe, a modern phenomena. One that has become glaringly apparent to be ineffective. I think we all agree on that.
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By "disagree" do you mean to say we have not had a deterioration of morality? Do you mean to say that there has not been a deterioration of the family unit, or that the criminal justice issues are not secondary to the destruction of the family unit? Do you mean to say that life has not been devalued in our society, or that life has been devalued, but it has nothing to do with the increase in violent crime.
You talk about prison reform being the answer. I suggest that societal reform and addressing the why they are criminals would maybe be a more efficient use of resources.
You seriously don't think that going from 80% of kids born to two parent families in the 1960s to 80% single mothers now has nothing to do with it?